When we think of getting around Paris, most of us probably picture the metro. It’s true that with about 4 million passengers per day, Paris’s famous underground train system is an extremely popular way to navigate the City of Light. Add Guimard’s unique Art Nouveau signage and being immortalized in works including Gainsbourg’s Le Poinçonneur des Lilas and Raymond Queneau’s novel Zazie dans le Métro and it’s easy to understand why it’s so famous.
But if you have some time and want to get to know Paris in a unique way above ground, consider taking the bus.
With 65 lines currently criss-crossing Paris daily, the city’s buses are a common part of everyday life here. Charmingly, instead of honking, they’ve kept the bell sound that their ancestors, the old horse-drawn omnibuses, used to have. I think anyone who’s spent a decent amount of time in Paris will recognize the insistent—but not annoying—“ding-ding” of an approaching bus.
Take Your Time with a Bus Ride Through Paris
The Metro (usually) gets you from place to place pretty quickly, but there’s a sense of rushing associated with it. On the other hand, when you take a bus, you’re at the mercy of street and pedestrian traffic, possible obstacles like manifestations (protests), and the challenge of navigating some of the city’s narrow, centuries-old streets. For these reasons, I would advise you to NEVER take a Parisian bus if you’re in a hurry. But if you have some free time, a bus ride is a much calmer way to get around than the Metro, simply because you can’t rush.
By taking the bus, you’ll get to know Paris in a totally unique way. Seated (or standing, if you weren’t lucky enough to find a seat) above street level, you get to watch the city roll by, or simply stop and gaze out at it while you wait for a traffic light to change or a garbage truck to move a little further along its route.
Sometimes, a bus in Paris will have a clear, traffic-free path to the next stop, and you’ll move pretty quickly. But most of the time it’s a leisurely ride. You’ll get to see shops, restaurants, and people passing by, headed off for work or fun or errands. It’s a true look at what it’s like to live in Paris from day to day.
Advantages to Taking the Bus in Paris
While you’re enjoying your bus ride through the city, you might even get to see something wow-worthy, and I’m not just talking about an exceptionally cute dog someone is walking. Many Paris bus routes pass through beautiful neighborhoods, and right by stunning monuments. (Keep reading for our list of the best lines for sightseeing!)
Another big advantage to taking a Paris bus: If you’re traveling on a budget, taking a bus is a great alternative to a bus tour. Sure, you’ll have to make some concessions. City buses don’t have an upper level, for instance, and there won’t be commentary about the monuments you pass. But you’ll still get some beautiful views and be totally immersed in the center of the city.
Buses are also an excellent way for mobility-reduced people to get to experience the city. And if you or one of your fellow travelers is in a wheelchair, Paris’s buses tend to be far more accessible than the Metro. Most Metro stations sadly aren’t equipped with things like elevators (or even escalators), whereas all buses within Paris, and most bus stops, are wheelchair accessible, and have designated priority areas for wheelchair users.
Taking the bus is also a fun, cheap thing to do with kids. In fact, I’ve lived in Paris for decades, but I have to admit that it wasn’t until my son was born that I started to take the bus a lot more often. When he was little, he loved looking out the big windows at the world outside. When the bus was stopped or stuck in traffic, we’d play “I spy” with the scenery around us. Today, my son is almost 11 years old, but we still often see taking the bus as kind of a treat. The Metro is what we use to get from place to place efficiently, but when we’re out on the weekend, for instance, we’ll usually opt to take a leisurely bus ride home, where we never know what surprises we might come across.
Disadvantages to Taking the Bus in Paris
For all its good points, there are some disadvantages to taking the bus in Paris. In addition to the slower speed and frequent traffic jams, you may also find that the buses are few and far between. This happens sporadically and can be caused by anything from road-work-related delays, to fewer bus drivers working due to a strike. If you’re planning to take the bus, it’s a good idea to visit the website of the RATP (the Paris Transit Authority) ahead of time to see if there are any issues with your line.
Another not-so-great thing about Paris’s buses is that they can be crowded, especially during rush hour, or on evenings during the weekend. You may still be able to get on the bus during these times, but it might mean standing crammed between other passengers for a long time.
So, if you want to take a bus ride while you’re in Paris, the best thing is to either do it during off-peak hours, or just go with the flow and see how crowded it looks when it pulls up to your stop. Have an alternative transportation option (for instance, know where the nearest Metro station is) just in case you can’t or don’t want to climb aboard.
Are Paris Buses Safe?
Generally speaking, buses running within Paris, especially near the city center and upscale neighborhoods, are safe. As with the Metro, the risk you’re most likely to run into is with pickpockets, so be aware of your belongings. (This is good advice to keep in mind however you travel in Paris.)
Personally, I’ve never had a problem on a bus in Paris. I mean, sure, from time to time the person sitting next to me might have taken a little more space than their seat, or talked loudly on their phone. But everyone pretty much keeps to themselves. After all, the goal for most riders is to get where they’re going. This is just an everyday part of life for them.
Use the RATP Website or App to Navigate Paris Buses
Anywhere I’ve traveled, I’ve always found buses a bit intimidating. I think it’s because they’re so geared towards the local population, as opposed to metros/subways/tubes that have lots of helpful signage and ticket counters and such. But out of all the ones I’ve tried, I can honestly say that Paris buses are among the easiest ones to ride if you’re not familiar with them.
For one thing, as I’ve said before, the RATP’s website is incredibly helpful and frequently updated, so you can find out about any problems or delays on your line. It offers easy-to-read bus route maps, and even a travel planner that will tell you which bus line(s) to take to get from one place to another. Bonus: You can set the entire site’s contents into English if you need to.
The RATP’s site also has a “Visiting Paris” page with information about using public transit in Paris for tourists.
All of this information is also available on the RATP app, Bonjour RATP.
How to Buy a Bus Ticket in Paris
Another helpful thing you’ll find on the RATP’s website is information about how to pay for the bus in Paris. As the RATP’s website explains, there are lots of ticket and pass options to choose from. For instance, you could buy a single-use ticket or invest in a weekly transportation pass. Prices vary slightly depending on which pass or ticket you choose, but you could estimate the average cost of a one-way Paris bus ticket to be about 2€, give or take.
Most people use a pass or ticket they’ve bought at a Metro station ticket counter or machine. But if you don’t already have a ticket or travel pass, you have a few options as well. The first is to buy a ticket from the bus driver. This can only be done with cash, as of this writing. If your phone can receive text messages in France, another option is to also use a really neat system that lets you buy a bus ticket quickly by text message (check out the RATP’s site for instructions). If you have data but can’t text (say, if you’ve purchased an eSIM for your trip), you can also buy tickets on the RATP app.
Unfortunately, as of now you can’t pay for a ride on a Paris bus with a credit card or Apple Pay, but that may change soon. It already has for the Roissybus (a special bus that goes to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport)—passengers can now pay with their credit card when they board. Hopefully, Paris’s other bus lines will soon be equipped with the same system.
How to Ride a Bus in Paris
Once you know which bus line you want to take, head to the bus stop. Bus stops in Paris are typically indicated either with a gray pole that has the word “Bus” on top of it and small squares showing the numbered and color-coded lines that it serves below it, or a larger, glass-encased stop with the same signage and a bench. They should also have maps showing the complete bus line and where it goes throughout the city, as well as a digital display that shows how many minutes you’ll have to wait for the next bus.
Some Paris bus stops look a little different, with a green-colored wedge-shaped sign on top. They’ll still have the bus line(s) and map(s) posted, but they won’t include a digital display showing the wait time.
When a bus pulls up to the stop, make sure that it’s the one you’re waiting for, since many bus stops serve several lines. The bus’s line number will be easy to find. Typically you’ll see it on a screen or other display on the front window, as well as along the side of the bus (often with a list of major stops).
Another important thing to note is that if you see a symbol like a half-square beside the digital display on the front of the bus, or if the number of the bus is in a square with a diagonally cut off bottom, this means the bus won’t be running for the entire route. If the new terminus isn’t listed at the bus stop or on the bus’s screen, you can quickly ask the driver. (Don’t validate your ticket or pass until you’re sure it’s going where you’re headed.)
Unless you’re using a wheelchair, always board the bus through the door by the driver. The other open door, towards the middle of the bus, is where you exit.
Once you’re on the bus, tap your travel pass or insert your ticket to “pay” for the trip (or buy a ticket directly from the driver). Remember that politeness is a big thing in French culture, so if you can, try to say a quick “Bonjour” to the driver as you pass.
Once that’s done, find a seat (or try to). Some areas are officially reserved for wheelchairs or carriages, and some seats are reserved for disabled, elderly, or pregnant passengers. But if no one needs these seats, it’s okay to sit there.
If you’ve found a spot beside a window, enjoy the view—just be sure not to get too distracted. As you ride, many buses have a display screen that will tell you the next stop. There’s usually also a map of the line posted along the top walls. As your stop approaches, find the nearest stop request button. These are usually on one of the poles throughout the bus, or on the wall in the designated wheelchair and carriage area. Push the button and you’ll see the words “Arrêt Demandé” (“Stop Requested”) light up on a display screen at the front of the bus. Then, get ready to step out when you arrive at your stop (remember to exit from the center doors, not the front).
As a general rule, you can only be let off the bus at a bus stop, but after 10pm you can request to be let out anywhere along the bus route.
If you’re in a wheelchair, you can call out to the driver when the door opens that you need the ramp to be lowered—though, in my experience, many other passengers will probably notice and tell the driver for you.
The Best Paris Bus Routes
Any bus ride you take in Paris will be an interesting experience, but some lines have the bonus of passing by some of the city’s most famous monuments and views. If you can choose which bus route to take in Paris, here are some I highly recommend.
Bus line 69 – This route is one of the absolute best for sightseeing. It runs from the Place Gambetta in eastern Paris all the way to the Champ de Mars, where the Eiffel Tower is located. Along the way, the sights you’ll see include: the gates of Père Lachaise Cemetery, the Place de la Bastille and the July Column, Saint-Paul Church, the Hôtel de Ville, the main stretch of the Seine and famous bridges like the Pont Neuf and the Pont des Arts, Notre-Dame’s spire and roof, the Conciergerie, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.
Bus line 72 – A portion of this route follows the Seine in the western part of the city. You’ll get stunning views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
Bus line 29 – Part of this route runs from the Palais Garnier Opera to the Place de la Bastille, passing sites like the Bourse (stock market), and portions of the Les Halles and Marais neighborhoods
Bus line 38 – This line, which runs from the south of Paris at Porte d’Orléans all the way to the north at Porte de la Chapelle, will take you through notable areas like the Place Denfert-Rochereau, the Latin Quarter, the Île de la Cité, and the Centre Pompidou.
Bus line 92 – This route will take you around the Place de l’Étoile, where you’ll get some great views of the Arc de Triomphe at its center. You’ll also cross the Pont de l’Alma and get some views of the Eiffel Tower, then make your way into charming parts of Paris’s swanky 7th arrondissement, past Les Invalides.
Bus line 40 – This line goes up the hill of Montmartre and around the Sacre Coeur.
Whether you’re planning a trip here and have some time for slow travel, or you’re a resident and haven’t done it yet, take a ride on a bus in Paris for a unique and insightful experience in the City of Light, with some interesting, beautiful, and sometimes famous views along the way.
Alysa Salzberg is an American writer, worrier, teacher, travel planner, and cookie enthusiast who’s lived in Paris, France, for nearly two decades. Author of Hearts at Dawn, a historical fantasy novel set during the 1870-1871 Siege of Paris, she often shares things she loves about life and history in the City of Light on her blog at https://alysasalzberg.medium.com/ and on Instagram @lamarquisedecarabas.
