I was noticing the Hop on Hop off bus hits alot of high points in Paris. Is this bus a good option for first time visitors to Paris? We are only there for 2 days and am hoping to see the highlights. Any other suggestions?
Thanks
Wendy
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I think the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus is a good value especially for first time visitors. You can get on and off at all the highlighted locations...Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, etc. I%26#39;d get a one day pass and the second day you can visit where you please. The bus gives you a good lay of the land.
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Ok thanks. I think we will use this option to get an idea of the lay out of the city.
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This type of question often comes up,, and there seems to be two camps. One camp,, the independent and confident traveller often poo poos the idea of these types of bus tours. They site that you can do the sites alot faster by taking the metro( and they are correct!) , but , this assumes that the tourist has done some homework and knows which sites they want to see, and then has spent the time ( about ten minutes really, LOL ) to learn how to use the metro,, and is willing to map out a plan for their day. Now, for a visitor with a week, thats a great idea . You only have 2 days. I assume you are not really clear on what to see.. and have not figured out which sites matter most to you.
In cases like this I think the HOHO buses are a good way to get a cheap tour of Paris. The VERY basic tour information provided by taped commentary is often enough for most first timers.. and the conveneince and ease of not having to figure anything out can%26#39;t be beat( we all assume the everyone likes to do alot of research,, but I have a friend who does not like it,, much to my amazment! LOL)
An added bonus is that you are not underground , so you get to %26quot;see%26quot; more of Paris then taking the metro,, its nice sitting up top on a nice day and seeing the neighborhoods as you drive around. It is fun to drive the traffic circle around the Arc De
Triomphe( and not be the driver!).
Some people will say the bateau mouche is a good way to see Paris, I disagtee, you only see the sites up and down the river. I say take a seperate night boat cruise and see the monuments and bridges lit up,, now that is very nice.
anyways, sorry went on a bit,, I had been to Paris quite a few times before I took a HOHO bus, I took the first one as my 14 yr old was fasinated by the double decker buses,, and then when I brought my 12 yr old a few years later,, she wanted the same experience,, Would I take it on my own. No, but, with kids, or as a first timer, I do recommend them as an option.
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There are 2 h/o h/o bus companies providing the service in Paris, Les Cars Rouges (http://www.carsrouges.com/content/index.php) and L%26#39;Open Tour (http://www.pariscityrama.com/paris-open-tour).
Les CR has one route with 9 stops. L%26#39;Open Tour has 4 routes (the main one is the green one) with many stops and more extensive coverage.
It%26#39;s much better value to get the bus for 2 days since it only costs a few more Euros.
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I found the Hop on hop of tourist bus excelent .my wife and I got a 2 day pass and as well as orientating us to the city we used it loads to get to the places we wanted to go given a tight schedule, from notredam to montparnaise, eiffel tower,trocadero,le marain and the latin quarter as well as the bastille..etc etc..I am sure there are cheaper ways to do all this esp the metro but I would say that to make the most of your stay it is a good idea..ps the boat trip on the seinne at night is good.There is more than one company doing the opentop bus route.So get the one that oes to most tourist destinations..sincerely S.B
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Thanks
and I like the cruise idea too.
Are those expensive?
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I highly recommend l%26#39;Opentour (and getting a 2 day pass for a few euros more), but only if the weather is favorable. Views from seats on the open air upper level, as you ride around Paris, are magnificent. But, if it%26#39;s too hot/sunny or raining and you have to sit down below, you may as well use the regular city buses. Or, two of you can take quite a few taxis for less.
L%26#39;Opentour is pricey compared to city buses, but worth it for the views and well located stops. It is not the most efficient way to get around, however, because the routes are wide and only one direction - so you%26#39;d probably want to hop off at your desired destinations in order.
Note that l%26#39;Opentour buses do not start running until after 9AM and stop around 5-6PM, so you%26#39;d need alternate transportation earlier and later.
Be sure to look at the coupon booklet when you first board. Many don%26#39;t open it up until later, when they%26#39;ve missed the stops for some of the discounted sights/places.
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L%26#39;Open Tour runs till 8pm at summer and 6pm at winter.
The 1 hr boat cruises cost around 10 Euros:
www.bateau-mouches.fr/
www.bateauxparisiens.com/
http://www.vedettesdeparis.com/
http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/
Dinner river cruises start at 50 Euros:
http://www.diner-boat-paris.com/
http://www.calife.com/index.html
For the 1 hr cruise you don%26#39;t have to get tix in advance, but it%26#39;s better to book the dinner cruise.
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www.bateaux-mouches.fr/
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%26quot;but it%26#39;s better to book the dinner cruise%26quot;
I meant to say book in advance, in case you choose that option.
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