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Paris: Carnet ticket bus transfer/connection question

Posted by (Raleigh, NC) on

This question is specific to the BUS system ONLY - I understand one cannot connect between the bus and metro systems so please do not address that when responding.

ratp.com says you CAN use the same t+ ticket (tickets from the carnet) to make bus transfers (connections) - ratp.fr, english translation, Discover Paris, T+ ticket, FAQ page, items 2, 3, 5, and 6.

However, in the Rick Steves Paris 2008 guide, page 28, second sentence, it indicates you CANNOT transfer between buses with the same ticket.

When addressing the issue that one cannot transfer between the bus and the metro, he warns travelers that in addition to being unable to transfer between systems, they are not able to transfer between buses, "...you can't use a single ticket to transfer between the systems - or even to tranfer from one bus to another."

I'm inclined to believe the ratp site, but am also inclined to believe Rick. Can anyone tell me (who's been to Paris recently) which information is correct?

Thanks very much!!

Posted by
8700 posts

I haven't been to Paris recently, but I'm sure that the RATP site is correct. In fact, being able to transfer between buses or between bus and tram is one of the advantages the RATP site specifically lists when comparing the old "t" ticket to the new "t+" ticket.

The new "t+" ticket went into effect on 1 July 2007. One must take into account that the deadline for sending Rick's 2008 Paris guidebook to the printer surely was early enough that the book was out of date on this particular item as soon as it was published.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks Tim. You make a very good point about turn around time on publishing the material. It would make a significant difference to my budget if I couldn't connect buses on the same ticket.

Thanks again.

Posted by
4555 posts

The new white t+ ticket does allow connections between buses and trams (except the new T4 tramline), or between metro and RER lines, but not both. We used them on several buses last fall. You stick your ticket into the validating machine every time you get on a bus, and you can make as many connections as you want in 90 minutes before the ticket expires. However, you're not allowed to backtrack...the validation machine on the bus will be able to tell that you're trying to make a round trip on the same bus, on the same ticket. Be careful though....tickets sold on the bus by drivers are still "sans correspondance" (no transfer) so buy the t+ tickets from a machine or at a Metro or other sales point. Maybe that's what Rick refers to.

Posted by
251 posts

I just got back from Paris last month and what Norm says is 100% correct.

A big shout out to the bus system. Not only is it very easy to use, contrary to some rumers, but much more scenic than the Metro.

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