Robespierre

A Fodorite e-mailed me her method for getting from CDG to town: the #351 bus goes from Terminals 1 and 2 to Place de la Nation, at a cost of <b>three M&eacute;tro/bus tickets</b>. From the route map, it appears that <b>two</b> tickets will get you to the Gallieni station at the end of M&eacute;tro Ligne 3 in Zone 2. The latter might be a good route for students, who tend to have more time than money.

From Orly, <b>one</b> ticket will get you to one of two stations on M&eacute;tro Ligne 7: the #285 to Villejuif-Louis Aragon in Zone 3, or the #183 to Porte de Choisy in Zone 1.

The route maps can be downloaded from

<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/tous_plans_terminus.php?partenaire=</b>

Christina

Interesting, but I don't know any student, even the poorest, who would do that just to save a couple euro. Also, a lot of people have trouble with directions and maps and transportation in a city they don't know and don't know the language, so I don't think going way out to such a stop, and then having to take the metro to somewhere else would be a good idea. That would be another metro ticket, also.

I think this is cheap beyond the point of any practicality.

nukesafe

Christina,

You must have had a very pampered education. When I was a student, a REALLY poor student, Robespierre's suggestion would have been welcomed as both cheap and practical for me and my friends. The use of public transportstion in order to truly experience the country has been highly touted on this forum. This is really public transportation we are talking about, not taxis or limos.

If you are in no hurry, want to see more of how the French live -- why not use the most economical method of getting from point A to point B?

Michael

I used the bus from Gallieni. There is nothing wrong with it. But I would first take it to CDG rather than from CDG on the first go-round. Moreover, where do you get metro tickets at CDG?

Robespierre

I don't get that, Michael.

Why would finding the M&eacute;tro station from the bus stop be more problematical than finding the bus stop from the M&eacute;tro station? It seems to me that if you can read a map, you should be able to manage it in either direction. If you can't, the direction is moot.

<i>p.s.</i> I wouldn't feel comfortable getting on the bus any less than three hours before my flight time.

Robespierre

M&eacute;tro/bus tickets can be bought from the bus driver.

francophile03

I think Christina is speaking for herself here, Robespierre. And I don't think that one needs to have had a 'pampered education' to not want to save a few euro. It's just up to that particular individual to decide.

It was the same thing on Aug. 15th when you posted about taking the RER from CDG which there were mixed comments. Some people agreed with taking the RER to save euro while others like myself found that it's perfectly okay with us to spend 45 euro on a taxi. But as you noted it's a choice that one makes individually. So while I don't care to take public transport from CDG to central Paris, that's my decision only. Whether or not another person agrees or disagrees is up to that person.

Robespierre

I am not advocating a position.

I am stating that it is <i>possible</i> to get from the airports to Paris very, very cheaply. Whether or not it is <i>desirable</i> is a subjective judgment which, by definition, cannot be argued.

Period.

djkbooks

&lt;&lt;Whether or not it is desirable is a subjective judgment which, by definition, cannot be argued.&gt;&gt;

Well, I would argue that, unless you have very little luggage and not much of value, potential losses along the way might far outweigh any potential savings.

For one thing, you'd really have to know where you're going and what you're doing. And, have tickets and or euros.

You'd also want to be absolutely expert at securing your valuables all along the way.

Those &quot;route maps&quot; seem fabulous, but may not be adequate for a first time visitor, particularly after an overnight flight!

Earlier this year, a friend of mine reported that her 25 year old son landed at CDG. After clearing passport control, he headed for the RER ticket booth. He had placed his passport and then credit card in a front pocket. As soon as he cleared the turnstile, he reached into his pocket to move the passport and credit card to his money belt, but both were gone! And, he had been carefully schooled by Mom, who then wished she had advised a taxi. Meanwhile, his traveling companion was relieved of his laptop while purchasing his RER ticket. Both were celebrating graduation from law school.

MaxwellSmart

Blah, blah, blah : U.S. board, ABC camera.

MISSMICHELE

They could have been pickpocketed anywhere in the airport or paris. If someone was able to steal a lap top a passport and wallet then they needed to go home for more lessons from mom. Purchasing tickets is not that difficult and does not put you any more risk than waiting for a taxi. I took the train my very first time abroad and now my fifth trip this coming november will do the same. It is easier and I cannot think of worse way to waste money than paying 45euro for a taxi. Just depends on what a person is willing or not willing to do in a particular destination.