Logistics junkies: help with Paris Metro/RER pls...
Jul 31st, 2011, 09:08 AM
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Logistics junkies: help with Paris Metro/RER pls...
Trying to get to from Charles De Gaulle airport (Terminal 2) to the Eiffel Tower (and back) in the quickest way possible.
I've searched sites, gone thru RAPT journey planner, etc. I'm looking for info on intangibles that the websites might be missing. There seem to be several options that are suggested:
Option A
RER B, change trains at St. Michel to the RER C, exit Champ de Mars, 8 min walk to ET
Option B
RER B, change trains at Denfert Rochereau to M6, exit Bir-Hakeim, 10 min walk to ET
Which one do you think is the best way, considering transfers, layout of stations, etc?
Just 2 active adults, doing this on a Monday morning (Aug 15). We anticipate departing CDG to head to ET at 8am, and leaving ET to head back to CDG T2 btwn 10 to 10:15am.
I'm also trying to minimize the number of queues we will have to be in. Looks like we can buy our RER/Metro ticket in advance, and then just use it on the day we go from CDG > ET > CGD, correct?
I think the Mobilis is the best option for us that day? The RAPT website states:
"Mobilis comes in the form of a coupon corresponding to the Magnetic selected areas. Before use, you must enter the coupon on your name, surname and date of use."
So we will need to buy a Mobilis good for Zone 5 from CDG to ET and back. What does the above text mean? We have to write our full name and date of use on the ticket before our first use on the ticket? Are these tickets swiped thru the Metro/RER entrances and exits as well?
Any help with this is much appreciated. We know it is going to be a tight timeframe and the hazards that come with that. Just looking for help/info to minimize our travel/logistics time. If we only have 45 minutes at ET, saving 10 or 15 minutes is a lot. If we have time, we will ascend via the stairs so can't buy tix in advance.
I know everyone travels differently and this would be too stressful/not worth it to many. We have our own reasons for doing this and am seeking some basic fact info to mitigate the surprises. Thx for any reading and info/tips you can provide.
Enjoy-la!
I've searched sites, gone thru RAPT journey planner, etc. I'm looking for info on intangibles that the websites might be missing. There seem to be several options that are suggested:
Option A
RER B, change trains at St. Michel to the RER C, exit Champ de Mars, 8 min walk to ET
Option B
RER B, change trains at Denfert Rochereau to M6, exit Bir-Hakeim, 10 min walk to ET
Which one do you think is the best way, considering transfers, layout of stations, etc?
Just 2 active adults, doing this on a Monday morning (Aug 15). We anticipate departing CDG to head to ET at 8am, and leaving ET to head back to CDG T2 btwn 10 to 10:15am.
I'm also trying to minimize the number of queues we will have to be in. Looks like we can buy our RER/Metro ticket in advance, and then just use it on the day we go from CDG > ET > CGD, correct?
I think the Mobilis is the best option for us that day? The RAPT website states:
"Mobilis comes in the form of a coupon corresponding to the Magnetic selected areas. Before use, you must enter the coupon on your name, surname and date of use."
So we will need to buy a Mobilis good for Zone 5 from CDG to ET and back. What does the above text mean? We have to write our full name and date of use on the ticket before our first use on the ticket? Are these tickets swiped thru the Metro/RER entrances and exits as well?
Any help with this is much appreciated. We know it is going to be a tight timeframe and the hazards that come with that. Just looking for help/info to minimize our travel/logistics time. If we only have 45 minutes at ET, saving 10 or 15 minutes is a lot. If we have time, we will ascend via the stairs so can't buy tix in advance.
I know everyone travels differently and this would be too stressful/not worth it to many. We have our own reasons for doing this and am seeking some basic fact info to mitigate the surprises. Thx for any reading and info/tips you can provide.
Enjoy-la!
Jul 31st, 2011, 10:13 AM
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If you only have 45 minutes at ET there is no way you are climbing anything and then getting back down to the ground. Even to get to the first level is more than 800 steps - not a quick stroll - andthen you hae to get back down.
I know thisseesm to be so mething that you HAVE to do -but climbing up and back down - plus seeing anything (notmuch from the first level)in less than an hour won't give you much time there. And getting to the second level - twice as high - just won;t work.
Remember - you can only climb up and down as quickly as the people in front of you.
I know thisseesm to be so mething that you HAVE to do -but climbing up and back down - plus seeing anything (notmuch from the first level)in less than an hour won't give you much time there. And getting to the second level - twice as high - just won;t work.
Remember - you can only climb up and down as quickly as the people in front of you.
Jul 31st, 2011, 05:43 PM
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youngtom2910, thx a mint for that info! I could not get the website to give me that routing and I couldn't figure out why. That tip makes the decision easy.
Thx to all the other posters' concerns. However, I am not asking for advice on whether or not this is a good idea. We will play it by ear, if we do not have time to ascend, that is fine we will be delighted to take pics from the bottom. Having said this, I will now refrain from explaining/justifying/defending our decision to do this. I provided the extra info incase someone had a tip they could share that would help us, and to not "waste" well intended posters' time in suggesting we have coffee somewhere else, enjoy a leisurely stroll and just view the ET from there.
I truly value the knowledge that Fodorites have and so often share, hence I post on these boards. Pls reply to this thread if you have any insights on the Mobilis tickets I referenced above or other touring tips that may help. Thx!
Enjoy-la!
Thx to all the other posters' concerns. However, I am not asking for advice on whether or not this is a good idea. We will play it by ear, if we do not have time to ascend, that is fine we will be delighted to take pics from the bottom. Having said this, I will now refrain from explaining/justifying/defending our decision to do this. I provided the extra info incase someone had a tip they could share that would help us, and to not "waste" well intended posters' time in suggesting we have coffee somewhere else, enjoy a leisurely stroll and just view the ET from there.
I truly value the knowledge that Fodorites have and so often share, hence I post on these boards. Pls reply to this thread if you have any insights on the Mobilis tickets I referenced above or other touring tips that may help. Thx!
Enjoy-la!
Jul 31st, 2011, 07:37 PM
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Hey... it's your trip. ;^)
Yes, a 1-5 zone mobilis is will save a couple of euros.
Since the RER C is undergoing construction transfer from RER B at Denfert Rochereau and take line 6 direction Etoile. Exit at Bir Hakeim and the tower is around the corner.
If you're doing this on a Saturday or Sunday the roads will be quiet so I'd use a cab.
Yes, a 1-5 zone mobilis is will save a couple of euros.
Since the RER C is undergoing construction transfer from RER B at Denfert Rochereau and take line 6 direction Etoile. Exit at Bir Hakeim and the tower is around the corner.
If you're doing this on a Saturday or Sunday the roads will be quiet so I'd use a cab.
Jul 31st, 2011, 07:52 PM
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If you do decide not climbing the tower before your arrival, then Hopping off at the Trocadero stop on M6 is an option. The trocodero gives what many say the best view of the tower. The Metro stop is probably a 3 minute max walk from the trocadero itself, and from the trocadero to the tower 5 minutes briskly.
The trocadero will also give you the best pics
link below
http://traveldk.com/paris/chaillot-q...s-du-trocadero
ParisAmsterdam- does the mobilis card include travel from CDG to central paris?
The trocadero will also give you the best pics
link below
http://traveldk.com/paris/chaillot-q...s-du-trocadero
ParisAmsterdam- does the mobilis card include travel from CDG to central paris?
Aug 1st, 2011, 05:03 AM
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ParisAmsterdam & greenerpastures, thx a mint for the info! 
We'll be doing this on a Monday morning so I will stick to the transit route you suggested.
Great tip re: Trocodero...I will have that as my backup plan. It's a fab suggestion because it's on the same line. If we don't go up and take pics from the base, we could even hoof it over to take some pics from there too and then just jump on the M6 and head back to CDG. Great option.
Enjoy-la!
We'll be doing this on a Monday morning so I will stick to the transit route you suggested.
Great tip re: Trocodero...I will have that as my backup plan. It's a fab suggestion because it's on the same line. If we don't go up and take pics from the base, we could even hoof it over to take some pics from there too and then just jump on the M6 and head back to CDG. Great option.
Enjoy-la!
Aug 2nd, 2011, 05:53 AM
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Currently, for most users of the Métro, packs of individual tickets are the most economical choice. The RATP has raised rates on all sorts of passes in a way that has gradually made individual tickets the cheapest option for many users.
For example, it used to be that a weekly Carte Orange was cheaper for visitors than individual tickets. Today, however, it's the other way around, because of continual hikes in the price of the pass. Unless you are making a great many trips in the Métro, the individual tickets are significantly cheaper.
The biggest ripoff has traditionally been the Paris Visite pass that is promoted heavily to tourists (to the extent that some other passes weren't even mentioned on the English version of the RATP's Web site), and that is still true.
Overall, though, the cost of public transportation is small in relation to the total cost of a stay in Paris.
For example, it used to be that a weekly Carte Orange was cheaper for visitors than individual tickets. Today, however, it's the other way around, because of continual hikes in the price of the pass. Unless you are making a great many trips in the Métro, the individual tickets are significantly cheaper.
The biggest ripoff has traditionally been the Paris Visite pass that is promoted heavily to tourists (to the extent that some other passes weren't even mentioned on the English version of the RATP's Web site), and that is still true.
Overall, though, the cost of public transportation is small in relation to the total cost of a stay in Paris.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 08:57 AM
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<<Mobilis comes in the form of a coupon corresponding to the Magnetic selected areas. Before use, you must enter the coupon on your name, surname and date of use."
So we will need to buy a Mobilis good for Zone 5 from CDG to ET and back. What does the above text mean? We have to write our full name and date of use on the ticket before our first use on the ticket? Are these tickets swiped thru the Metro/RER entrances and exits as well?>>
If you bought one, you are supposed to put your name and date on it, there are places on the ticket to do that. That sentence is fractured translation from the French, and isn't at all accurate, and parts must have been omitted. On the front of the ticket is a space to write the date of use (VALABLE LE ....) (although once you use it, that's determined anyway). THere is also a place for your last (NOM) and first (PRENOM) name. This is because these tickets are for use by one person only and thus you could be asked for ID (in theory, it would be reare but could happen) to match what is on the ticket. It is an infraction to not fill that out because then several people could obviously share one, which isn't allowed.
It's just a ticket that is swiped through the turnstile, that's all, you just have to keep it and not throw it away if you use it all day.
In fact, even though it is 20 euro for one day, I think the Paris Visite would be useful in this particular case, as it does include transportation from the airport. The Mobilis is 6 euro but then you'd add on about 18 euro for the airport tickets both ways. Even if you didn't buy a Mobilis for central Paris, you'd use more than 2 euro of tickets if you did anything else. But, if you only intended to go from the airport to the ET and back, yeah, just buy the one ticket each way.
So we will need to buy a Mobilis good for Zone 5 from CDG to ET and back. What does the above text mean? We have to write our full name and date of use on the ticket before our first use on the ticket? Are these tickets swiped thru the Metro/RER entrances and exits as well?>>
If you bought one, you are supposed to put your name and date on it, there are places on the ticket to do that. That sentence is fractured translation from the French, and isn't at all accurate, and parts must have been omitted. On the front of the ticket is a space to write the date of use (VALABLE LE ....) (although once you use it, that's determined anyway). THere is also a place for your last (NOM) and first (PRENOM) name. This is because these tickets are for use by one person only and thus you could be asked for ID (in theory, it would be reare but could happen) to match what is on the ticket. It is an infraction to not fill that out because then several people could obviously share one, which isn't allowed.
It's just a ticket that is swiped through the turnstile, that's all, you just have to keep it and not throw it away if you use it all day.
In fact, even though it is 20 euro for one day, I think the Paris Visite would be useful in this particular case, as it does include transportation from the airport. The Mobilis is 6 euro but then you'd add on about 18 euro for the airport tickets both ways. Even if you didn't buy a Mobilis for central Paris, you'd use more than 2 euro of tickets if you did anything else. But, if you only intended to go from the airport to the ET and back, yeah, just buy the one ticket each way.
Aug 2nd, 2011, 09:44 AM
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Thx a mint for the extra info. I obviously missed that the Mobilis would not work for the airport - I saw Zone 5 and thought it was good...glad Fodorites set me straight!
Looks like I need to buy a single way ticket. I'd like to save time queuing at the ticket machines: Can I buy 2 at the same time and just save one to use on my return trip? (i.e., is the ticket bought specifically for CDG to Champ de Mars? Even tho the value is the same, will it know I'm not starting from CDG on my return trip and not allow me thru the turnstiles?)
Enjoy-la!
Looks like I need to buy a single way ticket. I'd like to save time queuing at the ticket machines: Can I buy 2 at the same time and just save one to use on my return trip? (i.e., is the ticket bought specifically for CDG to Champ de Mars? Even tho the value is the same, will it know I'm not starting from CDG on my return trip and not allow me thru the turnstiles?)
Enjoy-la!
Aug 2nd, 2011, 01:35 PM
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klam_chowder,
a couple of links with good info on ticketing
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...s_metro2.shtml
http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...ion-trains.htm
a couple of links with good info on ticketing
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...s_metro2.shtml
http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...ion-trains.htm
