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How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord?

How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord?

Old Apr 16th, 2014, 11:58 AM
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How to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord?

On June 4th I am flying into Charles de Gaulle Airport, 95700 Roissy-en-France around 8am. I am then planning on heading straight to London for a couple days so I will get on a train probably around 11am or 12pm (just to give myself enough time in case of delays on the flight. I am taking the train from Paris Gare Du Nord to London and am wondering what is the best way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris Gare du Nord?
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:07 PM
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I'd just take the RER B from CDG direct to Gare du Nord, as long as you don't have enough luggage to make that very difficult.

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e...s-cdg-rerb.htm
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:11 PM
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"Around 8 AM..." just be sure to allow plenty of time.

It's usually about an hour from landing through passport control. Then, you have to get to the RER station and purchase a ticket. All depending, that could take some time.

Then, allow an hour to get to Gare du Nord.

Three-four hours *should* be plenty of time, but if your flight is late arriving, all bets are off.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:16 PM
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Then, allow an hour to get to Gare du Nord.

The actual ride is closer to 25 minutes.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:21 PM
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If I landed at 0800, I would not book an 11AM train.

The RER takes about 30 minutes - but you don't know how long immigration will take, and you need to get from your arrival gate to the RER station. Plus your flight might be late or have to wait on the tarmac for a gate. You need to check in for the Eurostar 30 mins before departure.

I'd book noon at the very earliest. Sure you could make 11AM - but if you miss it your ticket is voided and you'd need to buy a full, walk-up fare ticket . . . IF seats are available. I'd be semi-comfortabel w/ 12PM but would probably book 1:00+
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:23 PM
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jeeze -- yes I do know how to spell comfortable . . .
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:31 PM
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check in for Eurostar trains is about a half-hour minimum before the train too.

When taking the RER from CDDG to Paris-Nord be sure you get on a non-stop or one-stop train and not the stopping train that stops everywhere and often fills up with swarms of folks en route. So do not just hop on the first train waiting as it may get to Paris-Nord later than the next train if that is a non-stop train - passing the stopping train often at Aulnoye-sour-Bois.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:33 PM
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By cab.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:36 PM
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I'd take the RER also if I were going to Gare du Nord, as it goes right there.

I think planning on a train at 11 would be fine.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 12:42 PM
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Landing at 8 and booking a 11 am Eurostar train to me is foolish.

For one thing planes at CDG often land IME in the middle of the runway and you have a long bus shuttle to the terminals - this has happened to me more than once recently.

and though Customs are a breeze you could wait in line to get your passport stamped.

And if you cannot get the automatic ticket machines to work you could wait a long long time in line to buy a RER ticket IME.

and the train itself takes 30 minutes but you may have tow ait 15 minutes for the next one, etc.

1 pm would be my earliest.

If you have a full-fare ticket thought then you coculd try an 11am but I think your chances to getting there - again you have to board 30 minutes before the train or face being denied entry.
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Old Apr 16th, 2014, 01:49 PM
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>>I think planning on a train at 11 would be fine.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 09:25 AM
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We did something similar in '11, but transferred to Lazare from Nord. Flight scheduled for 8:30, train out of Lazare was for 1:45. We spent a cold 2 hours at Lazare waiting for our train. Arrived on a Friday and were on the RER B 10:15 with a party of 4, (2 first timers, only I read the language) with no real problems.

With that said, would not try the 11 train, 12 would likely be fine, but to be safe, maybe later. I'd rather wait for the next train and NOT have to buy a second ticket.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 09:46 AM
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Why the rush - schedule a train - if non-refundable ticket that is non-changeable at say 1 pm and have a leisurely lunch at one of the raft of eateries inside and outside of Gare du Nord?

1 am train is simply daft and asking to throw not only the money on the discounted ticket away but then having to buy full fare - about $200 p.p. in Standard Class.

Even after you arrive in Gare du Nord in the suburban underground station for newbies it make take 15 minutes or so just to ferret out the Eurostar check-in in this sprawling station - follow signs for "Grandes Lignes" - the long-distance part of the station - the main level - Eurostar check in is at the far western end unless changed recently.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 01:15 PM
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I know you can't jump on with 2 minutes to spare, I know what Eurostar's requirements are, but I've been through CDG many times and it's never taken me more than an hour to get out of there, including immigration and baggage collection. I still think 3 hours is fine myself, but if someone wants to be absolutely sure, they can wait longer, of course. And someone above mentions going to gare Lazare which adds on a lot more time due to the transfer. I'd add on maybe 30-45 minutes for that, which is about what they said. CDG isn't on the moon, it's right on the suburban rail line about 45 minutes away, direct.

I'm cautious so I would probably schedule a noon train myself, though.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 01:18 PM
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Christina: >>I've been through CDG many times and it's never taken me more than an hour to get out of there, including immigration and baggage collection. I still think 3 hours is fine myself
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 01:45 PM
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Exactly right Janisj, I was about to write the same thing.
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Old Apr 17th, 2014, 10:23 PM
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" am wondering what is the best way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris Gare du Nord?"

Surely you should really be wondering what's the best way from CDG to London?

Which is by plane. And the best way to do that is to through check your luggage, if necessary by amending your flight booking.

If, for some reason, taking a train going through a tunnel is a novelty, there'll be ample opportunity around London.
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Old Apr 18th, 2014, 08:58 PM
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In 2009 I used the RER bus from CDG to Gare du Nord .... it took over an hour once we departed the airport. A car accident and then road work slowed us down. I'd look for a 1 p.m. departure and enjoy lunch at a restaurant around the station. But then I am quite uncomfortable with travel plans that rely upon every part of travel meshing perfectly, e.g., on time flight, quick immigration, no lost luggage, no delays at RER ticketing, no delays on road. no need to get cash from ATM, etc. etc. etc.

Happy Travels,
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Old Apr 19th, 2014, 04:11 AM
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Heck even getting to the RER stations from some terminals, especially for first-timers, could take a half hour or so.

11am is completely unrealistic though in optimum conditions like Christina always experiences but I have not always - again several planes I have taken parked in mid airport and we had to wait for what seems ages for buses to take us to the terminals, which were too crowded for our plane to get to.

First bus came filled up - went back and again seemed ages before another bus came.

No 11am is just stupid IMO. 1 pm would be the earliest and then yes if you arrive earlier relax in a cafe or restaurant and savor Paris for a few minutes.
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Old Apr 19th, 2014, 08:06 AM
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flanner is right - The Eurostar is absolutely the BEST way to travel Paris/London city center to city center. But if one is at the airport, traveling into the center of the city to catch a train seldom makes sense. (same concept applies Paris > London or London > Paris)
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