Paris by bus: A Practical Guide for Getting Around

Take a Paris bus!

Why? Paris offers a well-connected public transport system, and the bus is an excellent alternative to the metro, tram, or RER for navigating the city and its surroundings. Whether you’re traveling through Île-de-France such as Vincennes, heading to a gare such as Gare de l’Est ou Gare de Lyon, crossing the Seine, or reaching a major airport like Charles de Gaulle or Orly, buses provide an efficient and scenic way to move around.

About Paris’ Bus System

The city is served by 60 bus lines within Paris itself, while around 290 lines operate in the suburbs. For late-night travelers, 31 Noctilien lines run between 00:30 and 05:30 hours, ensuring mobility across France, including key locations like Gare de l’Est, Gare de Lyon, Saint-Lazare, Porte Maillot, Porte de Bercy, Vincennes, Asnières-sur-Seine and major transport hubs such as stations, train hubs, and airport.

Follow this Lodgis guide to master the bus system!
No matter where your hotel is located, you’ll likely find a bus stop nearby, making it easy to get around day and night. Don’t forget to buy your tickets – les billets or recharge your Navigo card, which you can conveniently do using the Navigo App!

1. Before Taking the Bus

To navigate the public transport network, follow these steps:

Step 1: Locate Your Stop and Destination

There are three ways to identify your nearest bus stop and the appropriate bus lines – les lignes de bus:

• Use les cartes des bus (bus maps) available at each stop, tram station, or station exit to:
• Determine your location in Paris using a city map.
• Identify the closest arrêts and the corresponding lines.
• Find the right line for your destination and determine any necessary transfers.
• Visit ratp.fr or use the RATP app to plan your trip. Simply enter your starting place and destination, select the bus-only option, and get instant results! The RATP app also provides real-time updates on bus arrivals.
• At the bus station, check the stop name and ensure you’re waiting at the correct arrêt fo your line in the right direction. Just like the Paris metro, bus routes operate in two directions!

2. Boarding the Bus

Once you are at the bus stop and it arrives, follow these simple steps:

• Signal the driver with your hand to indicate you wish to board and hop on the bus.
• Enter through the front door – la porte d’entrée – and present your Navigo pass, card, or tickets to the driver. (If you don’t have a ticket, you can buy one by SMS: send “Bus” followed by your bus line number to 93100.)
• Validate your ticket using the onboard machine. A valid ticket will display a BUS symbol at the bottom.
• Move toward the back if the bus is crowded and be courteous by offering your seat to priority passengers (elderly, disabled, or small children).

Single tickets for the bus can also be purchased at train stations, RER stops, and metro stations. A single ticket to get the bus or the tram costs 2 euros and is valid for one journey without transfers. If you need to get the RER, the metro or the train you need to buy a 2,50 euros single ticket. Tickets are free for children that are under 4 years old. So they will travel for free throughout the metro, RER, bus, and tramway networks.

If you are traveling to an airport, check for direct bus connections to Charles de Gaulle, Orly, or Beauvais. The price for a single ticket to the airport will be more expensive.

Buses connect major places such as Place de la République, Hotel des Invalides, Place Saint-Michel, Porte de Saint-Cloud, Porte Maillot, Porte de Bercy, Gare de l’Est and Saint-Lazare, ensuring easy access to key areas in Île-de-France such as Vincennes.

Many bus routes also pass near Pont Neuf, Pont Alexandre III, and Pont de l’Alma, offering scenic views of the city.

3. Exiting the Bus

To get off the bus, follow these steps:

• Identify your stop on the plan des lignes present on the bus.
• After passing the stop before yours, press the Arrêt Demandé button to signal the driver.
• Exit through the central or back doors – la porte de sortie – to allow new passengers to board easily and hop off the bus.

4. Panoramic Buses: A New Way to Explore Paris

Did you know that panoramic buses offer a unique way to explore Paris during the day? This service provide an audio-guided tour in multiple languages, allowing you to discover major landmarks like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, Hotel des Invalides and Pont Neuf from the comfort of a bus.

What You Need to Know:

• The hop-on-hop-off panoramic bus is ideal for sightseeing, especially on a rainy day or when you don’t feel like walking.
• Tours last about 2 hours and it will cover iconic Parisian sites such as the Eiffel Tower, the Hotel des Invalides and many more.
• Ticket prices range from 25 to 65 euros for a single ticket and you can buy the tickets in advance.
• Some tours offer free passes for children under 3 years old and reducted passes for children under 12 years old.

5. How to Take the Night Bus (Noctilien)

Noctiliens operate between 00:30 and 05:30 hours, ensuring smooth circulation when the metro is closed. With 47 lines, these buses will connect central Paris with surrounding suburbs such as Saint-Denis, Asnières-sur-Seine, and Vincennes offering a great public transport service around the city.

Important Tips for Noctilien Buses:

• Check RATP for the latest Noctilien schedules and line information.
• Some travel passes, like the Navigo card, allow unlimited rides on night buses.
• Noctilien buses serve major RER, metro and train stations, including Gare de Lyon, Gare de l’Est, Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare du Nord, ensuring easy transfers to trains and metro lines in Paris and in Île-de-France.
• If you need to reach an airport late at night, plan your trip carefully, as some Noctilien lines offer direct access to Charles de Gaulle and Orly.

Looking for an Apartment in Paris?

Lodgis offers a wide range of furnished apartments in Paris and its suburbs around Île-de-France, near key transport hubs such as gare de Lyon, gare du Nord, and major metro stations. With over 7,500 properties, we provide everything from studios to family apartments featuring elevator access, spacious dining areas, and period charm. Many apartments are conveniently located close to RER, tram, bus, metro and train lines, ensuring easy commutes.

Whether you’re looking for a short-term stay or a long-term rental, Lodgis will help you find the perfect home near an airport, or public transport hub in Paris or in the Île-de-France suburbs.

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For more practical tips on navigating Paris, check out our survival guide for staying in Paris as an expat for seamless day-to-day travel in the city!