Winger13

Hi All. I am struggling with the transportation piece of our upcoming April trip and could use a little help. I have searched high and low (including reading through a few tour books) but questions/uncertainty still persist.

First, here is some background:
I am traveling with the family (wife, son (14yo) and daughter (12yo) - our plane lands in CDG (from LAX) on Fri morning and we depart the following Friday around 11:30 AM . We do not have physical challenges and will likely each have one 27" pully luggage and one backpack, so the metro/RER works great for us, especially since we are on a budget.

We plan to do the popular sites (Eiffel, Loevre, Arc, Versailles, Notre Dame, East Bank, Luxembourg Gardens, etc.) and do plan to walk around a bit to enjoy just being in Paris (e.g the people, ambiance, etc.).

"Home" for our stay will be a condo/timeshare located about 13 mins walk from the Château de Vincennes metro station (end of Line 1).

Here are my questions - some are specific to a given scenario (which I am thinking about).
*Since I have several questions, it would help if any answers can include which question is being answered.
-------------------------
1) I believe the 10-ticket booket/carnet is the most economical choice for us - but am looking for others' input/confirmation. I am still working on the itinerary, but my thought is each person uses one ticket daily to get into Paris (includes transfer)...walk around for the entire day, and use one ticket to return 'home' (which exception of a couple of days which are to/from CDG (plan on taking RER/metro), and one daily excursion to Versailles).

2) When I arrive at CDG, can I purchase the following while still at the airport?
a) The carnet booklets

b) RER return tickets (Paris-CDG)? and does this include the metro ride from our 'home' to the RER station (to transfer onto RER B to CDG)?

c) Round trip RER tickets to/from Versailles to be used at a later date? and does this include the metro ride portion of the trip to/from the RER station (to transfer onto RER C to/from Versailles RG)?

2) When we first arrive in CDG, we will purchase a RER B ticket to get to our 'home' in Vincennes. I have read that ticket includes a transfer to the metro. However, are we allowed to leave the underground metro system (such as to a cafe at street level) to grab a quick bite to eat, then hop back onto the underground metro to continue our trip to our 'home' ?

3) Are the metro transfers time-based or number-of-transfers-based?
4) Are we allowed to leave the underground metro system for a very short time (like 30 mins), then come back into the underground metro to continue our trip using the same ticket?

PalenQ

4- IME to get out of many RER/metro exits you have to put your ticket in a turnstile and cancel it again and thus cannot I would think be used if you get back in.

Whathello

Chateau de Vincennes is south east of Paris so IMHO for a family of 4 after a trip from US, a taxi will not be an excessive spending.

I think you'd pay about 40 € with 4 tickets from CDG and the taxi will probably cost about 50 €.

I'd save on the first bottle of wine - don't forget tapwater is FREE in Paris, not everyone knows it and it can save some money.

1. I calculate like you : when we are in Paris as a family we take bundles of 10.
2. a Yes I think so
b yes you buy a ticket from wherever you are to CDG - but again, I'd recommend a taxi.
c I've never bought a return trip - you just buy tickets and use them in each direction imho. Have others cofirm
Second 2 : no. If you leave and go upstairs, you need another ticket - but then you'll only need a M+ (metro) ticket - about 1,2 something €
3. time - I've always done ONE w

Whathello

3. Time - I have always done one trip with one ticket regardless of time and number of changes.

4. I don't remember. Too long I have not done that.

PalenQ

Not sure what the demi-tariff age limit is - if 12 is included by a carnet of demi-tariff tickets at half the price but can only be used by kids under a certain age. Check it out.

http://www.ratp.fr/en/upload/docs/ap...e_emploi_t.pdf

Have looked at Navigo Passes or whatever they are called now:

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-train-...go-decouverte/

Whathello

Good thought PQ, and I could have mentioned the limit is 10 (I would have said 9 so I would have been wrong ...)

http://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/c_20610/enfants/

Winger13

@PalenQ - When I first saw the Navigo pass, I saw that it starts on Sundays and there could be additional considerations (e.g. $5 surcharge/card, placed to purchase, etc.). Since we are coming in town on Friday, I am thinking the carnet would be a better value. Maybe a combination Carnet/Navigo may work, I have to look into that more because Navigo does include rides to both CDG and Versailles.

BTW 1/2 off metro discounts are for children 10yo and under.

StCirq

The carnet of t+ tickets should work out fine for you.

It's going to be difficult, IMO, to limit yourselves to one ticket a day to get into central Paris and one ticket home. I know my way around Paris as though it were home to me, and I can never manage to use just two métro tickets a day, and I'm a big walker.

No, you can't hop on and off the métro or buses. Once you leave the system your ride is up and you need another ticket to re-enter.

Ackislander

To put it another way, there is no free transfer between Metro and bus so every time you switch modes, it is a new [fairly inexpensive] ticket.

But you can, IIRC, transfer between two buses going in the same direction on a single journey. You just can't stop in the middle and sightsee for a while.

And everyone will have to validate her/his ticket as s/he enters the bus so the ticket can't be used again. Just put it in the little device behind the driver. It will stamp the time. It is a big deal if you get caught with an unstamped ticket. It is also a big deal not to say "Bonjour, Monsieur" to the driver.

You also have to keep your Metro ticket until you leave the system.

Congratulations on staying in this area. It won't be hugely convenient, esp the 13 minute walk to the Metro, but you will get to see a part of the city that most people will miss.

Learn to use the RATP website or app. It is easy to arrange point to point journeys, and there may be buses from your rental to the city center that are a lot more interesting and involve less walking than the Metro.

Finally, you can buy a carnet in any shop or bar with a "Tabac" sign, but in my experience, the smaller places are very grumpy about taking credit cards. Again, "bonjour, Madame" will smooth a lot of transactions.

ssander

The one-week (I thought it was MONDAY-SUNDAY...but maybe I'm wrong) now covers five zones, which means Versailles is covered, as well as pretty much everything else in Paris you might visit as well as CDG (~8€).

The Versailles round-trip alone will cost around 15€. The pass (21.25€) loaded onto the card (5€) is 26.25€.

So the difference is less than the cost of a single carnet of 10 tickets. In other words, for 26.25€ you get Versailles transport, and unlimted Metro, Bus and RER in those 5 zones for the rest of the week...including RER to CDG if you so choose.

There's also the convenience of being able to hop on or off the Metro and Buses without worrying about whether you have tickets on hand or need to buy more at the last minute.

You can supplement the passes with a carnet or two to get you through arrival weekend.

ssander

StCirq

Be sure to hang onto any ticket you use until you exit the system. You'll be fined if the controlleurs come through and find you without a ticket.

docdan

Navigating some of the turnstiles with luggage on the Metro can be challenging, so the taxi from CDG is a good option, especially for the inbound trip. Out bound you'll have a better feel of what does and doesn't work.

I would like to stress the wisdom of StCirq's advise. You are already committing to a 1/2 hr of walking just getting to\from your apt, people forget that just navigating some METRO stations is a boat load of walking by itself, and then "walking around the rest of the day"? With teenagers? do you normally engage in such self-abusive behavior? By Sunday I can pretty much assure you your lower extremities will feel like jelly. The above advise on the convenience of just one pass (navigo) and then you can have limitless hop-on/off on all modes of transport, is very good advice, will make any additional cost of the carnet/navigo combo well worth the investment.

If you consider the Navigo option, make sure you have a small picture of each of you like the size of a drivers license photo. They are not strict with photo standards, but it must look like YOU.

Finally, many travelers overlook the Paris bus system. It is easy to use and has many convenient routes, and is a great way to get the "people/ambience" connection without having your legs fall off. I do not say that sarcastically. Your "people/ambiance" goal is, for me, the main attraction to Paris, more so than the sum of all the sites. Your kids will never, never forget this trip. They will tell their kids how cool dad was for taking them on this dumb trip to Paris. The time you are investing in planning will pay good dividends.

PalenQ

Be sure to hang onto any ticket you use until you exit the system. You'll be fined if the controlleurs come through and find you without a ticket.

Good tip from StCirq and as I said earlier keep the ticket until you exit the system - lots of exits require you to put the ticket in a machine to get out.

Sarastro

1. You can use the ticket t+, purchased in groups of 10, as long as you use the métro from Château de Vincennes, and not the RER A from Vincennes. Note : Porte de Vincennes, Vincennes, and Château de Vincennes are three distinctly different locations.

2. a. You may purchase any ticket or pass you may need at CDG either at the terminal 2 RER station or the RER station at Roissypol.

2. b. Yes, but the price from Vincennes using the RER A to the RER B at Les Halles is 12.20€. If you use line 1 of the métro from either Porte de Vincennes or Château de Vincennes to the RER B and not the RER A, the price is 10€.

2. c. Yes

2. d. (2) A single ticket only gives you passage to your final destination, not intermediate stops. You will have 2 hours to finish your trip from start to finish.

3. Métro transfers are allowed from métro to métro, travel must be concluded within 2 hours from start. There is no way to even count the number of transfers you may want to take.

4. No

I might recommend your purchasing a Navigo Decouverte card (5€ each) and loading it with a zone 1-5 fare for 21.25€. This fare will be valid from Monday to the following Sunday and will include anywhere you may want to go, including back to CDG or Versailles. This pass includes travel on the métro, RER, bus, funicular, or tramway.

The Navigo Découverte, in order to be valid, will require a 25mm x 30mm photo of the bearer and his name must be printed on the lower right hand corner of the card. These cards are non transferable.

When you originally arrive at CDG, take a taxi to your accommodations. Pickup a taxi at the official taxi queue. Do not accept offers from clandestine drivers soliciting from within the terminal. Fare should be 50€ to Paris. Vincennes is outside of Paris so I am not sure what fare structure will be used.

ssander

Sarastro...

You say load your card with a zone 1-5 pass.

I was under the impression that in 2016 the week passes now cover all five zones (though I still see the different zone prices on the RATP site...I think these are 2015 prices).

Which is it? All zones covered or different prices for different sane ranges?

Anyone know for sure and can supply a URL to document it?

Thanks so much for this -- we're heading to Paris in the spring with our Navigo Decouverte cards and having CDG-to-Paris covered will be great.

ssander

kerouac

The Navigo covers all zones -- and all buses, metros, RERs, urban trains and tramways within those zones.

And since you will be at Château de Vincennes, any metro rides goes through Porte de Vincennes, which is an interesting tramway hub for circling the city and is the best way for getting to certain places like Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement, the Parc de la Villette, and some other places. The 3a and 3b tramways are quite pleasant.

CarolA

I take the RER to Paris, but..

I don't have a 27" suitcase. That's a HUGE suitcase. (Be very careful you don't go overweight!)

You have a young teen, a pre teen and giant luggage Sorry I think it's time to take a taxi to your hotel. By the time you connect from LAX you have been awake a LONG LONG time. I think between that and the oversize luggage you are either going to have something "disappear" on the commute to the city or the people around you are going to be treated to a meltdown.

I made my teenage tour group all their oversize luggage from the Eurostar to their hotel on the metro and they hated me. (Of course we no longer had jetlag to worry about and I was trying to teach them that I meant it when I said "pack light you are carrying that junke" LOL!)

apersuader65

If you choose the RER route into Paris, I'd make sure (with the huge luggage) I got on a direct train from CDG2 to Gare du Nord. I believe the trains are numbered/named KROL and their first stop will be at GdN. At GdN, transfer from RER B to RER D and head to Gare de Lyon - just two stops away, then transfer to Metro Line 1 Direction Chateau de Vincinnes, but you'll have 5 or 6 stops there. With that size luggage, the transfers won't be simple, but you CAN do it.

I also understand the budgetary concerns. I would suggest getting a Carnet may not be your cheapest deal. Assuming for a group of 4, with one ticket into paris and one out per day, you'll need a total of 56 tickets, which equates to 6 carnets, or 84.6 euro / 21.15 per person. You'll also have one RER into Paris and one back to CDG on Friday for another 20 euro per person. Add Versailles round trip to that at an additional 7 euro, your individual ticket prices total 48.15 euro per person for the week. For a little less, 47.5 euro per person, you can purchase a Navigo Pass for each person when you arrive for 26.25 euro - good until sunday evening at midnight - and reload that same pass for the following week for an additional 21.25 euro. Then, you will have the ability to come and go as you please, using all transportation options throughout Paris for a little cheaper than piecemeal purchasing tickets. In addition to being cheaper, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing all the transportation costs are taken care of at the airport.

Just remember to take your own pictures with you for use on the Navigo pass. I'd recommend an App called ID PhotoPrint be downloaded for free. It allows you to take passport sized photos on the phone, then email them to yourself. You can then print the pictures on regular paper with any color printer, and it gives you a 4x6 shot of each person with 6 pictures on each shot, all the correct passport size.

A little unsolicited advice: I'd really look at packing styles, and what you're bringing. I cannot fathom either child needing a bag of that size even if they brought seven different full sets of clothes, and two extra pairs of shoes. I was in Paris last March/early April, and I was able to pack everything I needed for a 10 day trip on a 20" carryon, and a small backpack that carried all my electronics - mac book, camera, phone and an IPad for DW, as well as medications and toiletries. With a little pre planning on this front, you'll make this a much easier trip for all. With the kids, I'd also not recommend a 4 wheel spinner luggage, but instead a two wheel drag behind. The cobblestones and uneven surfaces would make it difficult to navigate through all the areas for either a 12 year old girl or a 14 year old boy.

No matter what you choose, please have fun, and try to come back here an post a trip report. Your experiences may very well help someone else in the future.

apersuader65

One last thought - I'd definitely check to make sure that the carnets of T+ tickets were actually valid from Chateau de Vincennes. I think the T+ tickets are only good in zone 1, and I'm pretty sure Vincennes is in zone 2. That would completely negate the possibility of using carnet's.

For Sarasto - the price for an all zone Navigo Semaine is now (effective September 2015) 21,25. There are cheaper prices for other zone combos that don't include zone 1. Here's the link: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21137/f...is-et-semaine/

Sarastro

<i>For Sarasto - the price for an all zone Navigo Semaine is now (effective September 2015) 21,25.</i>

I am quit clear on the Navigo fares apersuader65 which is why I specified that if one wants a zone 1-5 fare, he must select a zone 1-5 fare. It is ssander who apparently seems confused.

T+ fares have nothing to do with zones in reference to métro travel. A t+ ticket will take you anywhere you want to go on the Métro, regardless of zones traveled, as long as your trip is completed within 2 hours of first passing the turnstiles.

Multi zone usage with only 1 ticket t+ also generally applies to bus travel. The exceptions, when you may need more than 1 ticket, are:

1. the night buses
2. buses 350, 351, and 299
3. travel from outside of Paris, through Paris, and onto a zone on the other side of Paris.

It is RER travel that is limited to zone 1 using only a t+ ticket. For RER travel beyond zone 1, a point to point ticket is required.

However, assuming one has a valid zone 1-5 Navigo fare loaded on his card, he is free to travel anywhere on the RER, métro, bus, tramway, or funicular.

In addition apersuader65, the RER B trains which eliminate stops between Roissypôle and Gare du Nord do not operate early in the day when many transatlantic flights arrive at CDG. The four alpha characters, such as the KROL you mention, is the title to a specific departure. All trains have a four alpha character title and throughout the day, the titles are all different.

The easy way to tell if the train you are about to board is an express train or not is to simply note the stations served board located on the departure platform. If the sign does not indicate that stations between Roissypôle and Gare du Nord are served, then the train is an express train.

Whether a train is an express train or not, the next train available, express or not, will always get you to your destination faster than waiting for a subsequent departure.