FAQ

What security measures does Batobus have in place?

To ensure the safety of all visitors, the Batobus applies the preventative measures decided on by the French government for all public services. All visitors must undergo the security checks at the Batobus entrances.

Suitcases and large bags* are not allowed.

* With the exception of small backpacks, purses and computer bags, luggage with a volume over 0.5 cubic feet is no longer allowed on our premises.

What methods of payment do you accept?

You can pay by cash, credit card, check or vacation checks (ANCV chèques vacances).

How do I make a group reservation?

Groups of 20 or more can buy passes at the ticket booth, order them by email at service.information.fr@batobus.com or complete the downloadable order form in the Prices section. 

If I’m traveling from outside France, should I buy tickets in advance?

It's totally up to you. You can buy tickets online or at one of our nine stops every day of the week without pre-ordering. Just remember that tickets must be used on the day of purchase or, for online orders, the day you pick them up. 

How can I pay for orders of group Batobus passes?

You can pay for group orders by credit card, check, payment order or bank transfer.

My business would like to market or resell Batobus tickets. What should I do?

You can email our Sales department at service.information.fr@batobus.com

What should I do when the ticket office of the stopover I am at is closed?

If the stopover ticket office is closed, scan the QR Code on the ticket office to buy your pass. 

You can also go directly to our website to check the timetable for the next Batobus at your station and buy your pass. 

Do I have to go to the ticket office to get a paper ticket after booking my ticket online?

No, the QR code you receive when you book online serves as your ticket.

You do not need to go to the ticket office.

If I buy my ticket online, do I have to start my journey at a particular stop?

No, the ticket can be used from any stop on the route.

How do I book using holiday vouchers issued in France (Chèque-Vacances)?

Bookings with holiday vouchers can be made at the ticket offices of the Jardin des Plantes, Hôtel de Ville, Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, and Notre-Dame. It is not possible to book online using holiday vouchers.

Note: Holiday vouchers must be issued by a French institution. Digital holiday vouchers are not accepted.

What should I do if I do not receive my order confirmation (QR Code, confirmation email)?

If you do not receive your order, you can go directly to the ticket office at the ports of call: Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame, Hôtel de Ville, Concorde, Jardin des Plantes. 
Or send an email at:  réclamation.suggestion.fr@bateauxparisiens.com

When do the boats operate?

The first departure from the Eiffel Tower and the Notre-Dame stops is at 10am.

You can look up the times for each stop on the route:  https://www.batobus.com/en/parcours

Can I take Batobus on a Sunday?

Yes, the service is open on Sunday according to the times mentioned in the Practical Information/Timetables section.

What time does the last boat leave and from which stop?

The last boat leaves the Eiffel Tower stop (the last stop) at 5:00 PM Monday-Thursday and 7:00 PM Friday-Sunday (off-peak season) and at 8:00 PM (peak season).*

*The starting hours are indicated for information purposes and may be modified.

How do the passes work?

The 24 hours pass is valid for 24 hours from the time iot is used at the access control.
The 48 hours pass is valid for 24 hours from the time it is used at the access control. 

The 24-hour and 48-hour validity of your BATOBUS pass starts from the first use and is counted during Batobus opening hours (10am to 7pm-8pm).

Do you have a half-day rate? Or short route rates?

No, the same rate applies to all types of route

What are the prices?

• 24-hour Pass: €23 (€13 for children aged 4 to 11)
• 48-hour Pass: €27 (€17 for children aged 4 to 11)
• Annual Pass: €73 (€48 for children aged 4 to 11). Free for children aged 0 to 4 upon collection of a 24h or 48h ticket before boarding.

The 24-hour or 48-hour validity period begins upon first use and during Batobus opening hours (10 a.m. / 7–8 p.m.).

For any purchase of an Annual Pass, you will receive a QR code valid for 24 hours from its activation on board. With an ID photo, you must visit one of our ticket offices at our stops so we can issue your annual pass.

Please note that the Annual Pass is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.

A special “Privilege” rate is available under certain conditions: holders of Imagine R, Navigo Intégrale, Emeraude and Améthyste cards, or large family cards. Please inquire directly at Batobus ticket offices.

Do you offer group rates?

Yes, there are rates for groups of 20 or more. You can email our Sales department at service.information.fr@batobus.com

How many people do I need to get a complimentary pass for group chaperons?

Due to the group rate offered, no complimentary passes are provided.

Does the €10 rate for the 24 hours Pass also apply to children under 3?

No. Children under 3 years old can ride our boats for free. The €10 rate is for children between the ages of 4 and 11.

Do you offer a senior discount?

Yes, seniors receive a discount if they have a Carte Améthyste or Carte Emeraude and show it when they buy passes at the ticket booth.

Do students from outside France also qualify for the Reduced Fare?

Yes. The Reduced Fare is given to all foreign and French students when they show a student ID or ISIC Card at the ticket booth.

Are there special rates for disabled people?  

No, we only give discounts to holders of a Navigo Pass, student ID, or Carte famille nombreuse (large family card).

Is there a discount for older unemployed people or the military? 

 No, there is no discount for these cases, nor for people with a disability card.

How do I withdraw my Annual Pass?

For any order of an annual Pass, you will receive a QR Code valid for 24 hours as soon as it is activated on board the boats. With a photo ID, you must go to one of the ticket offices of our stopovers in order for us to give you the annual pass. 

Please note that the annual pass is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. 

Which cards do you accept for reduced rates?

The following cards entitle you to a reduced rate: Navigo Pass, student ID card or the 'Carte famille nombreuse' large family card.

All tickets bought with these cards will specify the name of the cardholder.

Do you offer half-day rates? Or short route rates?

No, the same rate applies to all types of route.

Are tickets changeable or refundable?

Tickets are not changeable and non-refundable

Can I use my ticket on any date?

Your ticket is not for a specific date or time. It is valid for 6 months from the date of purchase. 

The pass concept

The DUO LIBERTE pass lets you discover Paris in total freedom for 48 hours, alternating between the Big Bus tourist buses with their overhead platforms and the Batobus hop-on-hop-off boats on the Seine.

How long is the pass valid?

The DUO LIBERTE pass is made up of two passes: a 48-hour Batobus pass and a 48-hour Big Bus pass. Each pass is independent of the other. Batobus and Big Bus passes are valid for 48 consecutive hours from first use, subject to service opening hours.

Which stops are served?

Batobus offers 9 stops on the Seine, while Big Bus has 10 on land. Together, these two services make a total of 19 stops in Paris, including 5 shared stations: 

• Tour Eiffel
• Concorde
• Musée du Louvre
• Notre-Dame
• Musée d'Orsay 

The complete Batobus circuit, without any stops, takes 1h45. 
The complete Big Bus circuit, without any stops, lasts 2h15.

DUO LIBERTE pass rates

For adults, the pass costs 84 euros. 
For children (aged 4 to 11), the pass costs 49 euros.

Timetables

For Batobus, the first departure from the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame stops is at 10 am. 
You can consult the timetable for each stop on the route: Le parcours Batobus | Batobus 

For Big Bus, the first departure from the Opéra, Tour Eiffel and Champs Elysées stops is at 9.45 am. The last departure from these same stops is at 5.45pm. 
Download the Big Bus application for live timetables.

What are the advantages of the DUO LIBERTE pass?

This pass offers the possibility of using two complementary ways of discovering Paris, allowing you to hop on and off freely at each stop to explore the city from different angles. In addition, multilingual audioguides are available on board Big Bus buses, and a webapp with audio commentary is offered by Batobus to further enrich the experience.

Languages available on the platforms

For the Batobus webapp, the following languages are available: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian. 

For the Big Bus audioguides, the following languages are available: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Korean, Chinese and Brazilian.

What are the pass cancellation conditions?

Once activated, the Batobus pass cannot be modified or cancelled. The Big Bus pass can be refunded under certain conditions directly by Batobus. 

The refund request must be made by the customer to Batobus on the website, at the following address: https://www.batobus.com/fr/contactez-nous by selecting : CLAIMS.

How to buy and use the pass?

Purchase on the Batobus website: receive an e-ticket with the Batobus pass + a voucher for the Big Bus pass to be exchanged with Big Bus staff on the bus or at their point of sale: 
Boutique: 11 avenue de l'Opéra, 75001 Paris Big Bus stops: Tour Eiffel, Champs Elysées, Notre-Dame and Louvre.

Purchase on the Big Bus website: customers will receive a Batobus QR code with a 48-hour pass, as well as their Big Bus QR code with a 48-hour pass.

General information

There are no toilets on board the boats and buses. 

For people with reduced mobility, there is no access to the boats.

How can find the closest Metro stations to the Batobus stops?

Go to the main menu of our website and click on Map of Batobus Stops. Then click on the stop you want to go to. You will see a map of the area and public transportation nearby.

How long does the total ride take?

The full loop – round trip to and from the same stop and stopping at each of the other eight stops – lasts about 1 hour 42.

How long does it take between stops?

Time between stops*: 
- Eiffel Tower > Invalides/Pont Alexandre III: 13 minutes
- Invalides/Pont Alexandre III > Musée d'Orsay: 9 minutes
- Musée d'Orsay > Saint-Germain-des-Près: 7 minutes
- Saint-Germain-des-Près > Notre Dame: 15 minutes
- Notre Dame > Jardin des Plantes: 15 minutes
- Jardin des Plantes > Hôtel de Ville: 15 minutes
- Hôtel de Ville > Louvre: 10 minutes
- Louvre > Champs-Elysées: 10 minutes
- Champs-Elysées > Eiffel Tower: 15 minutes

* Actual travel times may vary by 5 minutes. 

Can I ride for the entire loop?

Yes, you can. Your pass allows you to get on and off at any of the stops as many times as you want.

Is there a guided tour on board?

The crew on board provides information about the main points of interest near the stops, but this is not a guided tour.

Additionally, a web app accessible on smartphones is available, allowing you to discover activities around our stations, check the schedules of our boats, and purchase your Batobus pass.

Are baby carriages allowed on board?

The following items are allowed on board: - Compact luggage
- Baby carriages. We recommend folding up carriages and asking a crew member to stow them at the front of the boat. 
- Bicycles, depending on how crowded the boat is and whether there is space assigned for bicycles at the front of the boat. 

Is Batobus wheelchair accessible?

There are many stairs to get to the docks and/or on the boats, so the only wheelchair accessible stop is the Eiffel Tower. Please note, however, that the wheelchair access at this stop is a ramp also used by vehicles.

Are animals allowed on board?

The following animals are allowed: 
- Guide dogs for the blind in a harness,
- Dogs wearing a muzzle and on a leash,
- Small dogs in a carrier/bag. 
However, the boat crew reserves the right to refuse boarding to animals that may pose a nuisance or hazard to other passengers. 

Where can I park my car or bus?

There is a paid parking lot for cars and buses at Port de la Bourdonnais right near the Eiffel Tower stop.

Are there bathrooms on the boats or at the Batobus stops? 

No.

Can I eat on board?

Yes, but no alcoholic beverages are allowed on board.

Is there a reserved seat for pregnant women or people with reduced mobility?

No.

Is luggage allowed?

Only carry-on luggage smaller than 21.5” x 14” x 10” (55 x 35 x 25 cm)

What is the quantity of CO2 emitted during a Batobus transport service?

The amount of CO2 emitted is as follows:

73 g CO2 / passenger.km

Do you accept unaccompanied minors?

No, minors must be accompanied.

Can I board the Batobus with a Navigo Pass?

No, the Navigo Pass gives you a discount, but under no circumstances does it replace a ticket.

Can I use a ticket that is not in my name if the person who made the booking is not present?

Adult and child tickets do not have names on them, but you will be asked to show proof of identity to verify your age.

A preferential rate ticket can only be used by the person whose name is on it

What are the nearest public transportation options to reach the Batobus stations?

To reach the Batobus stations, several public transportation options are available:

To reach the Batobus stations, several public transportation options are available: 

Tour Eiffel Station

Metro: Bir Hakeim (Line 6) - Trocadéro (Line 9)

RER: Champs de Mars - RER C

Invalides Station

Metro: Invalides (Line 8 and 13)

RER: Invalides - RER C

Musée d'Orsay Station

Metro: Assemblée Nationale (Line 12)

RER: Musée d'Orsay - RER C

Saint-Germain-des-Prés Station

Metro: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Line 4) - Pont Neuf (Line 7) - Mabillon (Line 10) - Odéon (Line 4 and 10)

RER: Châtelet - RER A, B, and D

Notre Dame Station

Metro: Saint-Michel (Line 4) - Maubert Mutualité (Line 10)

RER: Saint-Michel - RER B and C

Jardin des Plantes Station

Metro: Quai de la Rapée (Line 5) - Gare d'Austerlitz (Line 10) - Jussieu (Line 7 and 10)

RER: Gare d'Austerlitz - RER C

Hôtel de Ville Station

Metro: Hôtel de Ville (Line 1 and 11) - Pont Marie (Line 7)

Louvre Station

Metro: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre (Line 1 and 7)

Place de la Concorde Station

Metro: Champs Elysées Clémenceau (Line 1 and 13) - Concorde (Line 1, 8, and 12)

Our environmental commitments

- Reduce water and energy consumption (electricity and fuel)
- Reduce pollution (waste, chemicals and detergents)
- Contribute to the reduction of C02 emissions (encourage the use of more ecological means of transport, boat hybridization project)
- Optimize resources (sorting and recovery of waste, choice of materials)
- Preserving biodiversity
- Train and educate employees and customers on environmental impacts

Our economic and social commitments

- Inform our suppliers about Batobus' sustainable commitments
- Maintain or increase the share of local service providers (department), as a percentage of purchases over the year
- Constant support for social initiatives
- Support inclusive economy structures that promote diversity, social inclusion and disability (ESS)
- Promoting the mix of men-women/women-men
- Integrate people with disabilities
- Promote cultural and social diversity
- Raising awareness of non-visible diversities (sexual orientation, gender identity)
- Contribute to the integration of seniors and young people

Nos engagements culturels

- Discover and promote the cultural heritage of the banks of the Seine and the city of Paris

Our service quality commitments

- Monitor the rate of compliance with shuttle frequencies
- Monitor the rate of responses to written complaints within the stipulated deadlines
- Achieve a high level of satisfaction on customer surveys
- Respect the service standards and control them by an external organization
- Follow the rate of breakdowns and availability of boats

Our health and safety commitments

- Promote a quality of life at work (motivation, development
and well-being of employees)
- Reduce the number of accidents at work and occupational diseases
- Carry out communication campaigns on safety and
health
- Perform SafetyWalks
- Train 100% of employees in safety
- Training in occupational risks (general and psychosocial)