We will be in Paris for 4 days. What is the best pass...Carte Orange or Carnet?
Jim -
RATP is now offering what is called Paris Visite. Unlimited travel zones 1-3 for multiple days. (note: zone 1-6 is a bit overkil)
If you are thinking that you will be traveling 3-4 times per day on the Metro - I would suggest the Visite pass. Carnet prices went up in July to 11.20 so the proce per ticket is around 1.10 Euro each - mind you each ticket is single direction.
It depends (obviously) on how much you think you will be using the metro, and what days you are in Paris. The Cartes Orange run from Monday to Sunday almost certainly better off with carnets. COs are sold Mon - Weds for the "current" week and Fri - Sun for the "next" week; they are not sold at all on Thursdays. My husband and I bought them for a Mon - Fri stay in Paris and I am pretty sure we didn't save any money on transportation....we just didn't travel around as much as we thought we might....but they were very convenient, made us feel "Parisian" and are a fun souvenir.
Oops, accidentally deleted a bit much. I meant to say: Cartes Orange run from Monday to Sunday so if your stay overlaps two periods you are almost certainly better off with carnets. (Or some other pass, as mentioned above.)
So we can give you the best advice on passes, tell us not only what days of the week you'll be in Paris but also if you'll arrive and depart by plane or train and if you plan to go beyond central Paris (like to Versailles) during your visit.
A Carte Orange is worth it if you take more than 10 metro journeys while it's valid:
16.30E/1.50E ~ 10.9E
If you are like me (certified Metro Master), the Carte will pay for itself. If you don't see yourself using the metro that often, buy individual tickets or a carnet. Since you will be there for less than a week, I suspect the carnet will serve you better.
Bon voyage :)
Just to update you on Carte Orange.
In July RATP has begun a change over of the system. Carte Orange still exists for one week purchase. Given if you come in for 7 days on a Wednesday and leave 7 days later one would have to purchase 2 Carte Orange (monday to sunday is the week standard) or orange and carnet.
For tourists what is being put in place is the Paris Visite which is giving a varied number of days. This is meant to eliminate some of the over all cost. The Visite works just like the orange but less days are purchased.
You can purchase one day or up to 6 days.
I used the Carte Orange twice during two visits to Paris last July.
In my opinion it is much easier than a carnet of tickets, which I have used in the past. Just pay once & go for the Monday to Sunday time frame
the mobolis card is much cheaper.