Getting there Paris, France

Ground transportation:

There are more than enough ways to get into the center of Paris, including a wealth of inexpensive options and those that require a hefty wallet. Onsite car hire companies are: Avis , Budget Hertz and Sixt . Driving out of the airport can be taxing on the nerves, especially if you do not speak or read French, and once you manage to find your way, traffic rushing toward the center of town is nothing short of a nightmare. For those jetlagged travelers, driving is either a great adventure or a nail biting obstacle. The best bet to get into central Paris is to locate the A1 and head southwest. From there the motorway options are ripe with possibilities, but a good map will keep you from getting lost or run over. Taxis are one of the more expensive options (EUR36-EUR50 depending on destination) and trips can take up to an hour in traffic. Ranks are located outside the terminal arrivals hall. Door-to-door van service is available though Airport Shuttle (+33 1 3011 1300/http://www.airportshuttle.fr) and Paris Airports Service Fare (+33 1 5598 1080/http://www.parisairportservice.com)

If you enter Europe in an other city and you want to travel through Europe by train, the best you can do is buy an international trainticket. Via this ticket you can visit all interesting cities in Europe, its much cheaper than visit all countries and cities by plane.

Getting into town via coach is a more frugal transportation alternative. Air France (+33 1 4156 8900/http://cars.airfrance.fr) operates two lines of bus service: Line 2 departs from the terminals to Porte Maillot and Etoile. Departures are every 15 minutes from 5:50a-11p. The fare is EUR10. Line 4 connects the airport with Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon, leaving every 30 minutes from 7a-9p for EUR11.50. RAPT (+33 1 4468 2020/http://www.ratp.fr) the local public transportation company, employs the Roissy bus, which heads off from each terminal from 5:45a-11p every 15 to 20 minutes for a 45 minute direct jaunt to the Place de l'Op鲡. The fare is EUR8.20. Public bus 350 jogs to Gare de l'Est train station and bus 351 connects Roissy with the Nation metro stop. These buses run daily but stop during the night.

If you are not dragging along a truck load of luggage the Regional Express Network (RER) B line train (http://idf.sncf.fr) is the way to go. It leaves from the TVG Station in Terminal 2 (via an ADP bus if coming from other terminals) for Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles, St. Michel, Denfert-Rochereau and beyond every 4-15 minutes from around 5am to midnight. The fare is EUR7.70. Each stop links with the Paris Metro.

Getting around in town:

The best way to get around is on foot or by metro, at least until you become familiar with the bus routes.
Free maps are available at the Gare du Nord and other metro or train stations. Buy a Paris Par Arrondissements (the Parisian A-Z) from any of the kiosks at metro entrances. This invaluable little book lists every street by arrondissement (the page it's on) and grid reference. Metros are also clearly marked. Don't forget to ask the locals for directions in the best French you can muster.

Metro
The Paris metro is easy to use (once you get the hang of it), clean and swift. Lines are identified by their colour and number. The direction is given by the last stop on the line. Follow sortie for the exit and correspondance to change lines. Buy a carnet of ten tickets to save money and stamp your ticket in the machine before boarding.

Bus

A great way to travel with a view, once you are familiar with the routes. Compostez doesn't mean start gardening! Remember to stamp ( composter) your tickets in the machines just after boarding.

Taxi
It's often hard to hail a cab on the streets, so the best option is to find a rank, at train and major metro stations. The white light on the roof indicates the taxi is free. Taxis charge extra per item of luggage stored in the boot, and at night. Make sure the meter is turned on as you jump in. The maximum number of passengers is three. Taxi drivers don't expect a tip, but they appreciate it if you round up the fare.

Foot

Central Paris is compact, and the best way to get to know it is on foot, particularly to feel the ambiance change subtly as you cross from arrondissement to arrondissement. But watch out at zebra crossings - just because the green man is lit up does not mean that Parisians will choose to stop.

Car
Driving in Paris is only for the brave or foolhardy, as you'll see as you watch cars whizz round major roundabouts, like the Place de la Concorde. If other drivers flash their lights at you, this means they will not slow down.

RER

The RER cuts a quick route from central Paris to the surrounding Ile-de-France area. Take it to Versailles or even for a speedy link through central Paris, eg Ch�telet-Les Halles to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile. Metro tickets with central Paris are valid on the RER.

Four wheels under one umbrella
This playful and lazy way to get around is a recent initiative of Florent Dargnies from Versailles. Let your knowledgable chauffeur drive you around the best spots in Paris in an open-topped 2CV, stopping for photos or where you want as you meander around. Contact www.4rs1p.com or tel: +33 (0) 6 67 32 26 68.

River Boats
Several companies - including Batobus (www.batobus.com) and Bateaux Parisiens ( www.bateauxparisiens.com) offer river tours down the Seine. It may be a touristy way to get around, but it's still fun.

Paris � V�lo
Take a guided tour of Paris on a bicycle with Paris � V�lo ( www.parisvelosympa.com).