Batobus.com: is it worth a 5 day pass?

Get away from the notion of stop duration. There are several of the things moving in a continuous loop. Get off, catch the next one in ten or fifteen minutes - - or in a couple of hours. They're not real good as a mode of transportation throughout the city since they only move on one axis (the river) and much of the stuff you'll want to see is some distance from the river (it's a half-mile hike from the stop to the ET) and some of the stops probably won't interest you (botanical gardens). What I use it for is to plop tired people on for a full circuit or maybe a circuit and a half so they can just gape while they rest up. An additional advantage is, if it's running at night while you're there, it's a cheapo river cruise that covers the exact same track as the more expensive tour boats. I tend to put folks on it three-quarters of the way into the first day (say after goofing around on the islands) and use it as an introduction to the city. I've never seen any use in riding it a second day.

We got a lot of use out of our multiple day Batobus pass on our 2008 trip which was the first time we had visited Paris in 20 years. Most of the sites we wanted to visit were near the Seine and it worked well as transportation for us. Batobus putters along at a stately pace, stopping at each spot just long enough to allow passengers to disembark and board. It runs in the summer until about 9:00. I think a complete circuit takes about 75 minutes. I don't remember it being a long schlep to the ET, but we do walk a couple of miles every day. When we returned to Paris last summer, we did not use Batobus because most of the places we wanted to visit on that trip were not near the river. So, I would recommend it if your focus is on the main tourist sites. However, George Clooney, I am puzzled as to why you are concerned about saving 7 euros? Surely you made enough on your movies to cover this?

I'd spend my money on a bus pass. The Batobus is cool (and the other respondants had some good ideas about it being a nice way to take a load off), but basically, yes, you are stuck on the Seine. City buses, on the other hand, go everywhere, and you can do some sighseeing while you ride! Since you'll be tourists, not commuters, you won't always be on crowded buses. In the middle of the day, you get pensioners, young families, other tourists, and almost always, you also get a seat! Top that off with the fact that buses go to just about every major attraction (and many minor ones) and you have a winner. I'd take the Batobus once, then do my main sightseeing by bus. Oh, and travel along the river is slower, too. I think someone else already referred to its "stately pace." Not great if you really want to get somewhere.

Hi George. First of all, I have to say I am a bit miffed that you did not invite us to spend some time with you when we were at Lake Como last year. I have decided to forgive you though. On our first trip to Paris in August 2006 we bought a 5 day batobus pass. As you said, it doesn't cost much more for a 5 day than a 1 day pass. We used it a lot. We were staying in Rue Cler and had to get the batobus at the Eiffel Tower stop. It is maybe a 5 minute walk from the ET. It was a fun and handy way to get to various places. It won't get you everywhere, but it will get you to within walking distance of a lot of places. Buses will take you to more places, but the batobus has zero learning curve. A map clearly marks the stops.

If you are going to be in Paris for a few days, spend the extra few bucks for the 5 day pass. We only got a one day ticket since we were only in town for 3 days and regretted it. Paris is a big city and it can get to be a bit much and we liked to take a break and put the seat-of-our-pants on a boat to relax and watch the beautiful city slowly go by. Great therapy for mind and feet.