If you have problems with walking and mobility, avoid the big Metro interchanges as the distances between lignes can be vast - ie Chatelet, Republic etc. You can often change at a stop a bit further down. For wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs, the Metro remains almost completely inaccessible.

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Paris taxi drivers seem to have a problem with carrying more than three people. We were surcharged for a family of three adults and one child with various excuses given, including an additional charge for luggage! Use the Metro whenever possible, and buy a carnet of 10 tickets for both adults and children (1/2 price).

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If you are taking a short break to Paris and need to use the car to get to London (sadly we had to), Eurostar use NCP for the St Pancras station car park and this means a minimum £25.00 per day which can dampen the holiday spirit.

We used Lomax car park in Camden Town (15 minutes' walk) - very helpful staff, they will drive you to the station and pick you up on your return and, best of all, it's about £50 for four days.

www.lomaxcarpark.co.uk

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In the recent flurry for Eurostar tickets to the Rugby World Cup final in Paris, return train tickets were costing hundreds of pounds.

My friends found that for half the price they could travel to Lille and then TGV onwards to Paris for considerably less. Although it's bit of a pain to change trains you can save a considerable amount.

www.tgv.com/FR/

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Take the train from Paris to Bourg St Maurice when skiing in some of the major French resorts such as Trois Valleys, La Plagne, Les Arcs or Tignes Val d'Isere.

As an alternative to the snowtrain why not take the scheduled London to Paris Eurostar and change stations on to the TGV from Paris to Bourg St Maurice. There is the disadvantage of changing stations in Paris, but this can be eased by taking a taxi between the stations. The advantage is that you have more flexibility with traveling times and the fares can be cheaper if you book early.

If you end up at Bourg St Maurice you can take time to enjoy the French town life with many interesting bars and restaurants. The Bazoom Bar is a favourite of ours, directly opposite the station. You can enjoy several hours having a good meal and watching the world go by whilst waiting for your transfer taxi/bus or before you board the return train.

The transfer times are very short in comparison to the airports, often in the region of 30 mins for Les Arcs, La Rosiere and Tignes / Val d'Isere. There is a funicluar railway directly up to Les Arcs. For La Plagne and Les Trois Valleys you have to use stations before Bourg St Maurice or the transfer is longer.

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Particularly if you are visiting with children make sure you take a trip on Metro line 14. This is a new line from St Lazare to Olypiades and the trains are driverless. If you get in the front carriage you can sit right up front and pretend to drive! It is great.

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If you accidentally go through the barrier to the wrong platform on the Paris Metro and then try to climb back over the barrier to rectify your mistake, make sure you know enough of the French vocabulary to be able to explain to an armed police officer that you aren’t in fact a fare dodger but have made an honest mistake!

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For those travelling to Longchamp Racetrack on 'Arc de Triomphe' raceday, there are FREE shuttle buses to and from the racetrack from Porte d'Auteuil (RATP bus station), Porte Maillot (244 bus stop), and Pont de Sèvres (RATP bus station).

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Upon arriving at the Gare Du Nord - don't get in the largest taxi queue in Europe! Walk across the road - have a coffee in a bar and ask them to get a taxi for you, far far quicker and refreshing too!

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If planning on multiple journeys or using the Metro over several days, purchase a Paris Visite pass (valid 1, 2, 3 or 5 days) which gives unlimited travel in either 1-3 or 1-6 zones, discounts to attractions and can be purchased in advance.

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If you are staying for several days buy a Carte Orange, zone 1 & 2, to use metro/buses etc rather than the Paris Visite tourist pass which is more expensive.

Tickets can be bought at most metro stations, you will need to ask for the wallet and card from the ticket desk, then attach a passport-sized photo and you have free travel from Monday to Sunday. As this is a weekly pass, aimed at Parisian commuters, be careful with the dates, it runs from Monday to Sunday.

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Unlike London and many other UK cities, you can always get a good meal in the restaurant/ brasseries just opposite the main railway stations. Can particularly recommend Terminus Nord, just opposite the Gard de Nord.

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Contrary to what many believe, it's now possible to buy an inter-rail ticket, even if you're over 26.

One downside of inter-railing is that many travellers feel obliged to be on the move as much as possible and don't spend enough time in any one place.

Now, however, inter-rail tickets are available for a set number of days travel within a longer period, e.g. 10 days travel in a 22 day period, forcing you to stop and enjoy your destinations while still getting value from your ticket!

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If you are travelling throughout France by rail, do not forget to place your train ticket in the yellow machine (Le Composteur) at the entrance to most platforms at the main stations in Paris, before boarding the train.

Failure to do so can result in a hefty fine and an embarrassing situation when the guard comes to check your ticket once on board!

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When travelling with small children you are entitled to a free porter service at both eurostar stations.

Just ask. This service normally costs £10. I didn't know until someone pointed it out to me as I had so much luggage I had to ask for help.

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Don't rush off from the marvellous Gare Du Nord railway station - take half an hour or so to have a good look around this amazing terminus.

Over a hundred years old, the fantastic Gothic canopy is held up by huge cast iron pillars (made in Scotland actually, where the only foundry large enough to make them was located!).

The whole structure reminds one of a vast cathedral. Outside too is most impressive, with outstanding stone carvings and a most impressive facade.

Although constantly noisy and busy, the station is world class and should be savoured, not swallowed and forgotten! Enjoy.

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The Brasserie du Gard Du Nord is the best place to prepare for a Sunday afternon journey back from Paris.

All the classics, fantastic surroundings, plate of oysters and a chilled bottle of something lets you drowse contentedly all the way back to Londres!

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On your next metro journey take a detour to Line 14 for a space-age theme park ride.

The high-speed "Meteor" line is driverless so you can sit at the front and enjoy an exhilerating driver's eye view along the eerie twisting tunnels.

It is much faster and better than London's Docklands Light Railway. Get off at Bercy Station to admire the platform's lush underground jungle.

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The Métro can be expensive. Tickets can be purchased individually for €1.30, but a carnet (book of 10) is only €10 - split one with your friends.

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Instead of buying a day ticket for the Metro buy a carnet, 10 tickets.

Any tickets you don't use you can use the following day.

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