Paris Transportation Tips by Dabs

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: The RER is a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to get to/from CDG airport. As of 12/26/03, the fare was 7.75 Euro each way, no benefit to buying a round trip ticket. It appeared that you could purchase tickets at a machine if you used your credit card or there were not too long lines to purchase with cash.

The trains leave frequently, some have less stops than others so make sure your stop is marked on the overhead board.

While this isn't advisable if you are carrying a lot of luggage, if you can manage your luggage up/down stairs and escalators, it is a less expensive alternative to a taxi.

We headed back to CDG on New Year's day and the ride was free (I think until noon), don't know if this is normal or not for holidays but it was a nice ending touch to our stay in Paris.

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Website: http://www.ratp.fr/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Although I'm sure the buses are a much more scenic way to get around Paris, I am a big fan of the metro. The metro is Paris is quite extensive, the maps are easy to follow, and you know approximately how much time it will take to get you from one place to another.

We buy carnets of 10 tickets which cost a bit less than single tickets. You can buy one carnet to share with your traveling companion as they are individual tickets. As of 12/26/03 a carnet cost 10 E and individual tickets cost 1.30E.

On New Year's Eve the rides were free starting sometime in the middle of the afternoon which would have been nice had I not already bought a carnet that morning. The Air France check in clerk was the lucky recipient of my 6 extra tickets.

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Website: http://www.ratp.fr

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The best method of transport is your feet!

Paris is a wonderful, safe place to walk around, taking in all the beautiful sights and buildings.

More to come....

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'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: I was actually quite surprised to find how expensive train travel is in France, I guess I assumed that is was more prevalent than in the US and that it would be cheaper.

A round trip ticket to Reims was 40.60E, $50US! For the two of us it would have likely been cheaper to rent a car although perhaps not as quick?

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Give your self plenty of time to get through this airport, we were in line for over 2 1/2 hours to check in at the Air France desk!Some of this delay may have been weather related and some may have been security related as we were traveling over the holiday.

But there were at least 2 other Air France desks that had only a small number of passengers waiting, it seems as though they could have allocated the passengers better.

Another note, we were at Terminal 2 and once we got past passport control there was only a snack bar serving overpriced baguettes, chips, and $5 softdrinks. So don't plan on eating once you get past passport control.

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