Hello, all.
Hoping to get "boots on the ground" info about potential travel disruptions this weekend in Paris.
Upon arrival, I was planning to take Ligne 2 of Le Bus Direct. However, when I checked the website a few minutes ago there is a disruption notice for the 12/1 weekend.
Trying to gauge how likely a disruption will be for this coming weekend, and if I need to pony up for a taxi.
Thanks in advance!
Rae
You might be confusing an on going work action, and subsequent reduced schedules, by le Bus Direct drivers with recent protests against an increase in gas and other taxes. The schedules at Bus Direct have been limited for some time now, at least several months.
The Roissybus, RER B, and taxis all continue normally for those traveling from CDG.
It's all very confusing. The hop-on-hop-off bus I engaged has also suspended their service as of 1 Dec per their website.
So apart from the Champs Elysee and Place de la Concorde, is ground transportation normal in the city?
The Champs Élysées is not closed.
This morning, roads between the Assemblé Nationale and the Place de la Concorde, to include the Pont de la Concorde, are closed due to a scheduled demonstration of the ambulance drivers.
Otherwise there are no transportation restrictions and even the mentioned roads will be reopened later today.
So apart from the Champs Elysee and Place de la Concorde, is ground transportation normal in the city?
Not sure what you mean by "ground transport". The normal ways of getting around Paris for both tourists and locals are métro (which is mostly underground) and bus.
Taxi is much more expensive, and at times slower than the métro.
Hop-On Hop-off buses are infrequent and only cover a few routes, as well as being a lot more expensive than public transport.
Métro and bus maps are on the RATP website here: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes
(RATP is the Paris public transport company)
You also need to read about tickets, simplest option is to buy a "carnet" of 10 tickets.
Yes unfortunately the Bus Direct is having issues of its own right now, separate from the current protests. I found this out as I thought perhaps to take the Bus Direct a couple of weeks ago and found it wasn’t running as often due to strikes by its own drivers.
Merci, Tocard and Kim. Really helpful information!
Hey, Chris F. Thanks for the basic information re: transport. I'm rather familiar with the modes of transport in large European metropolitan areas but hopefully, a novice traveler reading your post will find that helpful :)
