I had previously posted this in my Paris transportation thread and did not get a lot of comments (maybe because it was buried deep in the thread). So, I am moving this to its own thread to start a more specific discussion re: our itinerary :-).
Here is my plan (please critique):
We reach Orly in the evening at about 8 pm on Day 1. We will be spending the entire Day 2 and 3 in Paris, and we leave on Day 4 AM from Gare du l'Est. Upon arrival, we need to get to our host near Michel Bizot metro area. Assuming conditions are favorable enough for that time of the year (temperature upper 30s to low 40s and no slick ice/snow on the ground and it is not raining), I am planning to take bus 183 to Porte de Choisy and then take tram 3a towards our destination. My understanding is that this bus originates (or can be boarded) at the south terminal (Orly Sud), which is convenient as our plane is scheduled to be landing at that terminal as well (previously, I was unsure).
Because our teenager counts as an adult, our party is three adults and one kid (from RATP's standpoint). I plan to get one carnet apiece of adult and kid t+ tickets. I know we will use three adult t+ tickets and one kid t+ ticket on the tram. What I don't know is whether the t+ ticket can be used on Bus 183 or not - the link I have attached indicates that a separate ticket must be bought for it, but it also says that the ticket is Euro 1.7, so we should be able to use one from the carnet per adult or do we specifically need to buy the separate ticket for the bus?
We are not really much into museums, but we still plan on getting the two two-day museum passes for adults. On Day 2, i.e., the first full day that we are in Paris, we will use one t+ ticket apiece in each direction. Once we get to the destination stop (most likely the Eiffel Tower first thing in the morning), we will then back-track along the river catching the sights and also visiting a museum or two.
On Day 3, i.e., the second full day that we are in Paris, the Louvre will be open late into the night. So, for that day, we are planning to use the zone 1-4 mobilis pass and visit Versailles in the morning. In the morning, we will take the metro to the closest interchange where we can get the RER C into Versailles and stay there until about noon or so. In the afternoon, we will come back to city and travel around on the bus/metro/tram whatever and also see a museum or two depending on lines. This is also the day when we will visit Sacre Coeur and taken in the skyline of the city.
Based on the above, we would be purchasing the following at Orly upon landing:
- one t+ carnet for kid
- one t+ carnet for adults
- four mobilis passes for zone 1-4 (IIRC, there is no distinction between adult and kids here, right?)
- two museum passes
- one SIM card for phone calls to call our host
How does this plan sound? Would you suggest any changes?
Thanks,
- Porcupyn