What's the smartest way to use public transit in Paris?

Buy a carnet of ten t+ tickets or, better, load a Navigo Easy card (available at any metro window or ticket machine) with individual t+ tickets — they work on the metro, RER within zones 1-2, buses, and trams. If you're staying a week or more, a weekly Navigo pass (Monday to Sunday, around €30) covers unlimited travel across all zones and pays for itself fast. Download the RATP app before you arrive: it gives real-time departures and will reroute you around strikes or closures. The metro runs until roughly 1:15 a.m. on weekdays and 2:15 a.m. on weekends, so late nights are manageable without a taxi. Buses are underused by visitors and often faster than the metro for cross-town trips; line 69 between the Eiffel Tower and Père Lachaise is particularly useful. Validate your ticket every time you board a bus — inspectors work those lines regularly and the fine is €50 on the spot.

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• Where do locals actually go for aperitivo in Paris?
• Where do locals drink coffee in Paris?
• What does a local breakfast look like in Paris?
• Where is the street food in Paris actually good?
• Where can I eat after midnight in Paris?
• How do I get from the airport to the city in Paris?