JoeTro

One more thing (sorry).

When I return from Porte Doree to CDG, can I buy an RER-B ticket at Portee Doree that includes metro, or should I just go to Gare du Nord on my own metro ticket (or any other RER-B stop) and buy the RER to airport there?

JeanneB

RER is in the lower level of CDG 2. You'll be right there.

You could take it to Gare du Nord, metro Line 4 to Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, then Line 8 to Porte Doree. I think you may have to use one other metro ticket upon tranferring to Line 1.

The easiest would be to buy both RER tickets at the airport when you arrive.

As for tips, they are included in your restaurant tab. It isn't necessary to tip any further. Some leave a few coins for good service.

JeanneB

correction:

I think you may have to use one other metro ticket upon tranferring to <b>Line 4</b>.

Travelnut

<i>Is there a way to check which stops are &quot;Correspondance?&quot; </i>
yes, look at the metro/rer map - if there is a white circle at the intersection, it's a correspondance. If it's just a dot, then it's only a stop.

<i>I'm arriving at CDG 2. Do I need to take a transfer bus to RER, or can I pick it up in terminal?</i>

The RER for T-2 is in the terminal, just past Halls C/D. You can walk to it thru the terminal lobbies or go outside and take a free shuttle that stops at each Hall then the RER.

<i>What do people usually tip in cafes or restaurants?</i>
for some reason, this gets a wide range of opinion. My take is that the 'service' is included in the check price (not listed as a separate line) espec. if the menu has a footnote like &quot;service compris&quot;... we will 'round up' a few euro (42E check, leave 45E...)

<i>When I return from Porte Doree to CDG, can I buy an RER-B ticket at Portee Doree that includes metro</i>
If there is a service/ticket window at Porte Doree then you should be able to buy your RER ticket to CDG and it already includes the metro portion to get to the RER, as long as you are not leaving and re-entering the system. (as in, going above-ground). - but why not just buy the return ticket at the same time you buy the initial one?

Christina

If you only have a few minutes at Radio France, you really can't go anywhere, I guess. The places I mentioned would be too far away from that building. I don't know of anything that exciting right at that building, but a walk along the Seine there is scenic.

I don't understand this talk about all these tickets -- at the airport, you say you want a ticket to go from there to Porte Doree, and they'll give you the right amount ticket.

As I recall, service is not included in the UK, and I do tip about 10 pct in London for that reason. Along those lines, 15 pct service charge is always included in bills in Paris cafes/restaurants, so if that's your standard, don't tip anything. I don't usually tip anything in Paris cafes or restaurants. Sometimes if I get really special or attentive service, I do leave a few euro on a dinner bill. I always tip a little in my favorite restaurant I go every trip, also, because I really like them there and they are always very nice to me (it's a cheap neighborhood place) and give me special seats, etc. I tip about 10 pct for taxis in Paris but you won't be using them.

JoeTro

Thanks. I'm getting all flumoxxed about tickets b/c I don't speak French, but it will all work out.

Travelnut

Joe, just write down what you want for tickets on a note for the clerk..it's more important to say &quot;Bonjour, Madame, s'il vous plait and push the note over than it is to be able to verbally ask for the ticket..

kerouac

As long as you don't leave the rail system, RER or metro, inside Paris one metro ticket will get you everywhere.

Service is ALWAYS included in caf&eacute;s and restaurants. I leave no tip if I didn't like the service, a small tip if the waiter was competent, and a little more if I thought he did a really good job. For a meal costing, say, 20 euros, this would be about 1 euro for a high end tip.

chiarachiara

JoeTro - may I please chime in with a question on your thread! For one or other reason I cannot manage to post a new message, neither can I access the RATP website.

I need to go from Gare du Nord to CDG. Do I understand correctly that the train runs directly to CDG - although with a few stops in between. But I will not have to transfer?

Thank you so much for all the assistance!

kerouac

Yes, Gare du Nord-CDG is direct. There are even quite a few non stop trains.

JoeTro

Thanks for the tip on tippping. It's nice to know it's mostly included.

I think I'm finally understanding the RER, that with that ticket I can get off at any stop and then just keep transferring to my final destination on the metro so long as I don't actually exit. This sounds good, and it's a good idea to try to buy both tickets at the airport.

Any thoughts on the TSA locks ... can I lock my bag with a TSA approved lock, or is this mainly valid only in America?

kaneda

The Paris metro is fast and efficient but has one major drawback. When you change lines, you can have five minutes walk to the next line, including up and down stairs. It is not recommended if you have a lot of luggage or a serious disability.

JoeTro

Thanks. I'll have a duffle ... it will be a little tough, but okay.

One more thing. I'm going to the Louvre Friday night, when it's free for young people. Is there a special entrance I need to go to, or a place to show ID or something? I'm just wondering how the admission will work.

JeanneB

If there is a line, head for the underground arcade entrance at the metro stop Palais Royal-Musee de Louvre. That's where we always enter. Maybe someone knows if that changes on free-nights.

For non-free days, there's a tabac on the right that sells tickets to the Louvre, D'Orsay, etc.