Paris Metro Card Worth Buying?

Q: I am considering buying a travel pass for the Paris Metro. I would need one for five days and it needs to cover most of the city, as I am not staying in the city centre. Would buying one be cost-effective? - Adriaan Steyn

A: The official Paris metro travel card pass is known as Paris Visite. It enables you to get around Paris by using the Metro, the RER and the bus service. You do not need a photograph and it can be bought in advance (for a premium). However, it is easier to buy one after you arrive in Paris. You will need to find out exactly where you are staying, but a zone 1-3 pass would probably suffice. This includes all 20 arrondissements of the city. A five-day pass for these zones would cost you 29.90 Euros (R290). There is debate over whether buying a pass makes financial sense. It depends on how much you intend to use public transport. A single-use Métro/bus ticket costs 1.70 Euros (R16.50), while a packet of 10 costs 12 Euros (R116). (26/6/11)