anneinmanhattan

I am arriving from London by Eurostar and want to travel to the Saint Michel area (near Notre Dame). I am a single woman of an advanced age and my carry-on luggage and shoulder bag are quite heavy, at least for me. Does anyone know if there is an escalator (preferably elevator) in Gare du Nord to the RER platform. Also, to reverse the question, is there an escalator (or elevator) to the street level after getting off the train. And if no to both, what would be the approximate cost for a taxi from Gare du Nord. My street, Rue de la Huchette, is blocked off to vehicular traffic. Thanks for any help/iinfo.

Christina

The stairs at St Michel/ND RER station are not for the faint of heart. I don't remember the situation at Gare du Nord, but given your situation (that your bags are quite heavy), I'd take a taxi. They'll be able to get you closer than the RER would anyway, to where you are going, depends which end of it you want.

Depends on time of day and traffic, I am guessing middle of day? maybe 20 euro

bendigo

We also arrived by Eurostar.

I think there may be escalators at Gare du Nord - but there are also lots of "vultures" ready to "help" people who look unsure of what they are doing or are having difficulties.

In general, I would say that the Metro stations are best avoided with heavy luggage unless you are self sufficient to get up and down lots of stairs and can manage your bags in quite crowded trains - ie need to be able to get in and out of doors quickly, moving people aside as required.

anneinmanhattan

Thank you for replying. It will be taxi.

menachem

St Michel has awful stairs, no escalators up to street level. As you come off the Eurostar platform turn sharp right: the taxis are at the side entrance.

menachem

I forgot to mention you can pre-book while on the train if you choose:

http://www.taxisg7.com

Seamus

By all means take a taxi. It should run no more than than €20-25. As you exit the platform turn to the right to reach the taxi rank. Do not walk straight through to the front of the station and by all means do not accept offers from any of the gypsy cabs or touts who may approach you - only take a licensed taxi from the official taxi rank.

anneinmanhattan

I'm convinced. Thank you all for the replies. Taxi it is!

anneinmanhattan

Just want to add, I am really happy I found this site. I didn't just want advice on Metro/Taxi but some more details. For example, turn right from platform is very helpful. Thank you all again.

latedaytraveler

Anne, once you get there, have a great time!

Pepper_von_snoot

20 euros?

I took a taxi from Gare du Nord to Rue Sommerard which is near Rue Huchette and it was 10 euros.

It is as easy as pie to get a taxi at Gare du Nord but you MUST join the official taxi queue.

You just can't hail a cab like you can from the 8th Ave side of Penn Station.

Queue up, sweetie darling, queue up!

Thin aka Linda Radlett

Gretchen

And as Pepper points out certainly NOT 20E!! And Pepper has given the "drill". There will be a small charge for your luggage (1E maybe) and I think a small surcharge for the "gare", so don't think you're being scammed.

bendigo

Watch the video from The Man in Seat 61 and you'll get a feel for the trip and Gare du Nord:

http://www.seat61.com/London-to-Pari...m#.UWVhKh1HIxA


(and have a fabulous trip!)

anneinmanhattan

Thanks again--great advice from everyone. Linda, there's a queue at Penn Station as well, but on 7th Avenue. Don't remember ever seeing a queue at Grand Central, however. More excited as time flies by.

Pepper_von_snoot

Yes, I know there is a queue at Penn station on 7th Ave. That is the official taxi stand.

However, you can exit Penn Station at other places and still hail a cab ie on 8th Ave.

You CAN NOT do this at Gare du Nord. The taxis will not pick you up.

I lived in Manhattan for many years.

Thin

kerouac

If you take the Notre Dame exit at the back of the Saint Michel-Notre Dame RER station, there are ZERO steps to climb. A series of escalators take you right up to street level, right in front of the cathedral.

anneinmanhattan

Thanks Kerouac and Thin,

Kerouac, If I lightened my load I may do that. Notre Dame is a very short walk from my destination. But ten euros for taxi is not so bad. Does anyone know what direction I would give the cab driver to get as close as possible to 11 Rue de la Huchette?

Thin--wasn't impugning your knowledge of Manhattan. I always avoid the queue on the few times I take a taxi from Penn Station by exiting in the mid-street area. I hail one going towards Madison on 34th. Not easy on cold/rainy days though.

I've always relied on my husband in the past, particularly lifting heavy suitcases so this is new for me. Thanks all, again.

Christina

That's interesting that there is an escalator as I've only encountered those stairs.

I have been to Paris many times and taken a lot of taxis and it can take 20 euro depending on traffic conditions and time of day, one can't say that is impossible. It has happened to me and I know why as I know the city, the traffic congestion was terrible and we were barely moving for a long time. I think once there was a demonstration, other times it was just really busy. I fail to understand why you think that person who said that (pepper whatever) is infallible or knows more about it than I do. I'm sure I've done it more than he has in all kinds of traffic. It could take 10 euro but a lot of people get bent out of shape when the unexpected happens, and I wanted to warn you so you could make your decisions properly.

anneinmanhattan

Thanks Christina. I'll be sure to have sufficient euros with me, either way. Do you know which direction I should give the driver to get as close to my stop as possible. Or should I assume if I tell the driver the number of the building he/she will know where to leave me. I'm doing the train as I thought it would be so much more convenient than flying from London. Hope this proves correct.

Seamus

annie, I believe you will be quite pleased with traveling London to Paris via train. It is much easier, no worry about schlepping to/from the airport, through potentially long security lines and trekking to the boarding gate. While there is a security checkpoint to clear at St. Pancras station it is far easier than airport security. Plus, the train is so much more comfortable than a plane.

About your hotel - that block is likely to be quite noisy. Are your booked at hotel les Argonautes?