Bus tour in Paris

"Is it a really confusing metro system?" Nope. Not if one of your party can handle a few details and is a plus if one of you is a bit of a map person. People who have trouble with the Paris Metro probably are the "let's just wing it" type, which works some places but probably not in the Paris metro. Or they may have had to much du vin.

Totally agree, great metro system.

Yes, it's a great Metro system, both buses and subways, and the carnets are your best value. But a HOHO bus on your first day (or the first day you can stay awake) would be a good way to see a lot of the city, get a feel for where things are in relation to each other, and hear about what you're seeing while you're seeing it. Get off at a couple of places on your must-see list, so you can branch out in the next 2-3 days. Then use the Metro, and/or your feet, to see other things on those days/evenings. I haven't been on a Paris HOHO bus, my stays there have been longer, but I've used them in other cities where I couldn't stay as long for a nice overview. They let you get places and see the streetscapes without worrying about logistics when you're new to the city. Another idea, perhaps for another day -- the Batobus is a big boat, not as attractive as the Bateaux Mouches but taking the same route up and down the Seine. An all-day pass doesn't cost much and lets you use the river as your HOHO route. Many of the best sights, and vistas, are on or near the river. No narration though.

HO HO is good for getting around the first day, if you arrive early enough and he jet-lag isn't calling you to bed. If you can stay awake and got a couple of hours to get an idea of where all the sights are, then it's great. The problem with the HO HO is that it goes in a loop and you could waste a lot of time in heavy traffic. The only time I found the Metro confusing, was when when we had to change to the light rail to Versailles. We went to the very hard to find TI around the Opera house and got a schedule and a map of the public busses. The great thing about Paris is, seeing all of Paris or as much as you can and the bus provides you that. The Metro gets you around quickly, but underground. So for example; if you want to get from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacre Coeur, the Metro will be your best bet. But from the Sacre Coeur to The Arc de Triomphe, we used the bus. We eventually were just getting around on the bus, even at night. Paris is so beautiful day and night, why waste it.

I think HOHO buses can be a great way to get oriented in a city. However, I did not like the one in Paris. The narration is mediocre, and it seemed we spent too much time sitting in traffic. We got off early because we just couldn't stand it any more. We much preferred walking, which will get you most places if you enjoy walking as much as we do. If not, the metro is easy to use.

Ooooooooh, only four nights in Paris?? First visit? Best get your game plan in order, so you don't waste anytime trying to decide what to do first, second etc. The Metro is very easy...just remember you always get on the Metro (the right one) by looking at the last stop on the line. That doesn't have to be where you get off, but that is the correct one to get on. Pick up a map and it will be very easy to understand. Also in the big Metro Stations they have large maps on the wall with little lights that light up, when you push the button for where you want to go. The Bus Line works great also. Didn't do the HoHo in Paris. Walking shoes work great too. Priority........head for the high spots, for the views. Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. No matter how much you love Art, you will not see all of the Louvre in 4 days, so leave after 4 hours and move over to the Orangerie Museum and the Orsay Museum (check out the view through the clock). Look into the Museum Pass. Oh, will you have time for Versailles? Enjoy :)

I would spend the money you would spend on a ho-ho bus and go on a bike tour or walking tour instead. Personal guide you can ask questions, and a much more thorough and better tour of the city.

A vote for the HOHO bus or equivalent.
Helps you orient where things are You see more than you do on Metro You may see someplace you would like to go back to (happens to me), or that you dont need to go back to someplace THEN use the Metro and walk

Another vote for the HOHOs,, I use the metro to get around fast,, but I have used the HOHO and they are fun if weather is decent.. you get a nice birds eye view of the neighborhoods as you go through them, something you miss if travelling by metro. The HOHOs offer a two day pass for only a few more euros then the one day ,, not a bad deal. I like the L'Open tour buses, the green and yellow ones, they have more routes and stops then the Rouge Cars.
The ride around the Arc De Triomphe traffic roundabout is a hoot too!

A vote for the HoHo bus to get an overview. Walking tours are good value. The Metro is a quick and efficent way for getting from point A to point B. Remember the good advice given previously that you work on the name of last place on the Line you wish to travel on.

We did a combination of the buses, the metro (all on one five day ticket, which we bought online before leaving the US), and the "Batobus" boats. You can get a 2 day Batobus pass, and it drops you right near the major sights at about five or six stops along the Seine. The buses are easy to figure out. If you get on one going the wrong way, don't panic...just get off at the next stop and cross the street to get on the correct one (we learned that by experience!) Also, the metro is a charming slice of Parisian life, filled with busy commuters as well as beggars, and numerous great live musicians (whom I'd rather give money to than to beggars). My advice: do all three, watch your wallet, and just roll with it and have fun! You can get on the wrong one, but you can't get totally lost!

The Hop-on- Hop-off is great. Also we recommend Gray Line tours. They are based here in the U.S. We used them numerous times in Paris, London, Rome, Bruge, Switzerland, Canada, Boston, New York, Australia, etc. Elaine

Thank you all so much for your input! We leave in a week and we can't wait!

I usually recommend hop on and off buses for first time visitors. Paris is quite large but once you get to know it you know what is reasonable to cover by foot or metro.

Instead of the HOHO, you might try one of the Fat Tire bike or segue tours to start you off. The metro is good for getting from one place to another quickly and efficiently. But it's all underground so you don't see anything. On the bus, you will be able to see the city pass you by, but often the traffic is so bad, you could pass through the city faster on foot. Be prepared to walk a LOT, take comfy shoes and moleskin. You'll have a great time.