Paris Metro - Get daily pass or no? And, metro versus buses.

We prefer the metro -- it is efficient, comes often and is just better BUT the stairs. The main advantage of a day pass over just loading metro tickets on your Navigo Easy is that it will cover buses and metros and you don't have to worry about loading both types of tickets should you suddenly decide you want to take a bus. You break even on the day pass at 5 rides so probably you will be better off just loading tickets. On the other hand, one pleasure of a pass is you can hop on and off -- e.g. I needed to get butter and there is a store I like to use a couple of metro stops before ours -- so I can stop, jump off and go do my shopping and then jump back on the metro without it costing me an extra 2.50. If you think you will be bouncing around town then a pass makes is easier and frankly this is a nickel dime decision in the context of the larger trip. The day pass will not take you to the airport but it will take you anywhere else in the ile de france and to the train stations.

a reason to consider taking buses

First and formemost, in Paris there is much more to see out the bus window than underground.

So when I travel, I tend to purchase day passes even if I don't have definate plans for 4 or 5 single trips. One of the reasons is unplanned bus or tram trips. Subway is great for long journies. But many desitionations are better served by a bus or tram, often in conjunction with the metro. Additionally, I sometimes find myself a bit tired at the end of the day and sitting on the bus for a few minutes beats walking to the nearest metro. Ditto if a sudden afternoon or evening shower interupts your plans.

There are several bus lines that go past many of the famous monuments and sights. A great way to actually see Paris rather than just underground stations.

I would suggest also using the buses, a very good option. A good many bus lines cover the core areas of Paris and beyond.

The last two trips, 2023 and 2024, I used the buses more than the Metro, much less crowded, almost always a seat if I want it, and better than being squished on a Metro line.

Bus 69 takes you to all the highlights! Like a cheap Hop on Hop off Bus. RS writes about it in his Paris book.

I bought the 12 euro daily pass each day. It just made life easier. Using the RATP app, I downloaded my daily ticket into my iWatch. Didn't have to take my phone out in busy places, didn't wait in line, just got in and out. Also, I don't want to worry about reloading or counting tickets. Having lived in the Bay Area where a roundtrip BART ticket is over way more than $10-15, I found paying 12 euro for unlimited rides and convenience a bargain.

I've read about people getting fined for not properly validating their tickets. Having a daily pass- if I was stopped, I can just show the unlimited ride daily pass on my watch. Also, I messed up a couple of times and went on a bus--going in the wrong direction I discovered after I already paid, and once when I went to the wrong direction and had to exit out the gate to get to the other platform.

I have both the IDF and RATP apps. If I intend to use buses, does one of the apps help direct me to a bus stop like Google Maps might or does Google Maps know how to move between bus stops?

Thank you everyone for your great responses!

I use the Citymapper app for both bus and metro. It gives directions to bus stops/metro stations. Tracks you on your journey. Will give you a heads up to prepare to get off. For metro, it will tell you which cars to board (front, rear or middle of metro) and which exit to use to get you to your destination.

My daughter and I were in Paris about 3 weeks ago. We took the metro; never took a bus. We stayed on the left bank but did walk the river and go to many places on the right bank using a mix of metro and our feet. Daughter is 25 and a New Yorker so she is very accustomed to walking. I am in my late 50’s, retired, a pretty good walker and had no issues with the additional walking, which is almost miraculous considering the tendency of my left foot to “flare” with plantar fasciitis…

We did not buy a pass; we just bought 1-2 tickets at a time as we arrived on a Tuesday and left eight days later - I think the pass would have been more expensive.