Paris

Finding your way around Paris is remarkably easy, as the city proper, stripped of its suburbs, is compact and relatively small, with an integrated public transport system - the RATP (Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens). The system is cheap, fast and meticulously signposted, comprising buses, underground métro and suburban express trains, known as RER (Réseau Express Régional) trains. The whole network is divided into five zones, though the entire métro system fits into zones 1 and 2.

The métro & RER

The métro (Mº) runs from 5.30am to 12.30am, the RER from 5am to midnight. Stations are far more frequent than on most underground systems, though many entrances are a long way from the platforms and most interchanges involve long walks and lots of stairs. A choice of three free maps is available at most stations: the Grand Plan de Paris for the whole RATP system, which also usefully overlays the métro system onto a map of Paris's streets; the more at-a-glance Petit Plan de Paris ; or the pocket-sized Paris Plan de Poche . In addition, every station has a big map posted.

The métro lines are colour-coded and numbered 1 to 14; the RER lines are designated by the letters A, B, C or D. Within the system, you find your way around by following signs bearing the name of the station at the end of the line in the direction in which you are travelling: Direction Porte Dauphine , Direction Gallieni and so on. The numerous interchanges, or correspondances (look for the orange signs), make it possible to travel anywhere in the city in a more or less straight line.

For RER journeys beyond the city, make sure that the station you want is illuminated on the platform display board

Buses

Free bus route maps are available at métro stations, bus terminals and the tourist office; the best is the Grand Plan de Paris . Every bus stop displays the numbers of the buses that stop there, a map showing all the stops on the route, and the times of the first and last buses. Only the #20 bus is designed to be easily accessible for wheelchairs and prams. Generally speaking, buses run from around 6.30am to 8.30pm, with some services continuing to 12.30am. Many lines do not operate on Sundays and holidays, or run a reduced service.

From mid-April to mid-September, a special Balabus service passes all the major tourist sights between La Défense Grande Arche and Gare de Lyon, on Sundays and holidays between noon and 9pm; the entire route takes about fifty minutes. Bus stops are marked "Balabus"; standard bus fares apply.