Easiest (But Not Cheapest) Access Into Paris and other Paris, France Transportation Tips

'Mode': TO
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: I realize that taxis are quite expensive from CDG into Paris proper. But in my personal opinion, it's the simplest, least stressful means of transportation to get to Paris.

Once you clear immigration/customs at CDG and exit through the Arrivals Hall, there will be quite a few unsolicited "taxi drivers" trying to get your attention. Do NOT accept any offer from them as these are not official Parisian taxi drivers (Taxi Parisien).

Instead make a slight left and walk through the exit doors onto the sidewalk where there is an official taxi stand. You'll see many people in a queue so just take your place in line which goes fast.

The approximate cost from CDG into the Paris city center is 45 euro plus 1 euro each for additional pieces of luggage. Tip should be 10% or round up the total.

If you want to take a taxi from your hotel to CDG have the hotel desk staff reserve one the day before you depart.

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Website: http://www.parisby.com/transpor/taxi.htm

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Paris's metro system is one of the best in the world-provided that there are no workers' strikes! On a normal day, however, you can expect efficient service. There are around 10 lines that serve 300 metro stations so there is extensive coverage available.

Tickets can be purchased as a carnet (10 tickets) at 10 euro. If you are planning on traveling by metro, RER, and bus for a week or so, consider purchasing a Paris Visite pass. This is a pass that allows one to ride public transportation and it's sold in 1-3 or 5 day increments. The cost ranges from 17 euro (1 day pass) to 37 euro (5 day pass) andn you purchase the pass at any metro station.

Several metro tips:

Keep your metro ticket until your journey ends. There are inspectors who do give citations if you have no ticket.

Be sure that when you need to exit a station look for the sign saying 'Sortie' and not the one that says 'Correspondance'. If you follow the 'Correspondance' sign, you will transfer onto another metro line! The opposite is true too so if you don't want to exit but transfer to another line, do not follow the 'Sortie' sign.

The older metro trains don't have automatic opening doors. In order to not look silly standing at the door expecting it to open automatically, please do crank the handle (unless someone else has done so already)when you want to get on or off the train.

Be aware that some stations have really long passageways: Chatelet for example.

Also line 1 is infamous for being the pickpocket line. The reason is that many tourists travel on line 1 which stops at many tourist sights. So do be aware of who is standing besides and in the back of you if the metro is crowded. Protect your bags, make sure they are secured properly, and please do not put anything of value in them. Use a money belt.

Be aware that some RER stops have stairs only access and no elevators and/or escalators.

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Website: http://www.ratp.fr
Other Contact: Photo www.freefoto.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: The RER (Reseau Express Regional) is related to the metro system, but it is not exactly the same. There are fewer stops for one thing. And the RER serves locations outside of Paris such as CDG, Orly Airport, Disney Paris, and Versailles. And there are only 5 lines.

You can use the RER withing Paris proper. For example, we used the RER when we needed to travel from CDG Etoile in the 17th district to Gare du Nord in the 10th district in order to catch the Thalys train to Brussels. It's faster than the metro as there are fewer stops within Paris. Because of this please be sure of what your exact stop should be.

And be aware that many RER stations do not have elevators and escalators.

You may use your metro ticket (or the Paris Visite pass) to access the RER within Paris proper only. For destinations that are further on you will need to purchase a separate ticket for that destination.

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

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Taxis are the most expensive mode of transportation. However, if you have toured the Louvre or have walked from St. Germain to the Arc de Triomphe or have done tons of shopping, you will be tired. Your feet will be killing you. And the last thing on your mind is boarding the crowded metro to stand some more.

If you are bothered by the above as I am many times, search for the nearest taxi stand. They are usually outside the department stores, hotels, and dotted around Paris. It costs a few euro for a short ride, but in my opinion, when you are overtired, it's well worth it to take a taxi.

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Website: http://www.parisby.com/transpor/taxi.htm

'Mode': TO,AROUND
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: If you want to take some great trips outside Paris and you live in the US, buy your tickets directly from the French railway 's (SNCF) site, www.sncf.com. Do not bother to buy from SNCF's US agent, Rail Europe, because the markup is high.

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Website: www.sncf.com

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: You can purchase either discounted, non-refundable tickets (e.g. Prem) OR refundable but more expensive tickets directly from SNCF, the French railway. One nice thing about purchasing their non-refundable tickets is that you are allowed to print them online.

If you do buy the higher priced tickets you can't print them online unfortunately. And if you live in the US they cannot mail you the tickets as well. How to purchase? Charge them online by selecting France as your country of residence print out your confirmation, and pick up the tickets in person at any SNCF station. Remember to bring the same credit card that you used to charge your tickets.

If you are staying at a hotel, you can use the hotel's address online so that your tickets can be mailed to their address. If it's a good hotel, the staff will not mind receiving the tickets on your behalf.

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Website: www.sncf.com

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Please do NOT think of driving in Paris. It's one of the best ways to add to any stress you have. Paris, while not a tiny city, is very congested in many parts. A good example is the roundabout at Charles de Gaulle Etoile next to the Arc de Triomphe. Even the taxi drivers have to be careful when entering traffic there. It's crazy.

Aside from the traffic there are absolutely narrow, ancient streets with impossible to find parking spaces. If/when you do find parking it will be a miracle to squeeze your car into the parking space. I have seen cars parked bumber to bumper with no space in between. I am not sure how any of them get out. There are also alot of signs posted and if you are not familiar with the language you may be parked illegally and your car will be impounded.

(Under construction)

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Space is tight, there's lots of traffic and lots of signs posted. Don't drive! But if you insist drive a Smart car as it's so compact and will fit in pretty much a tiny space!

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