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CDG arrival question and two train questions
Bonjour, my avid helpers.
I have read that American Airlines arrives CDG at Terminal 1 and another place said Terminal 2A. I want to have some idea of the route to the baggage area, customs, and exit to taxi stand. The on-line maps aren't helping. Should I just learn the French words for these and follow the signs? Later in the week we will be on the train all day going from Paris to Gstaad.I was thinking about picking up some baquette sandwiches for the trip before leaving Paris. I guess you can bring your own food? Luggage question - we are a party of 7 with 7 large pull-type suitcases (I know, I know).We are prepared for getting on and off the train but since we probably won't be able to store them above our seats, even in 1st class, I'm thinking we could strap them together in the luggage rack to keep them safe. But will there be enough time to get back there and get them undone before the train stops? Is there a warning before arriving at a stop? We will only have several minutes to make our next connection. Can't quite anticipate all the important factors involved in a speedy transfer, but my sister and I do know that we will have all our "stuff" that we need to travel with :) Thank you very much. (I hope none of you are behind us trying to get off and annoyed) |
Yes you can bring any food or drink on trains without problem
don't worry about connections in Switzerland as if you miss the 7 min connection then there will surely be another train in 30 mins or so over the same route. Sounds like you're a European rail novice - for novices with questions like this i suggest a few sources to learn the rope: www.ricksteves.com for lots on trains and using them and www.budgeteuropetravel.com to request their excellent free European Planning & Rail guide and they have a help line where they answer any such rail questions in case you want to talk to someone (800-441-2387). And Fodorites are amazingly expert at rail travel so keep posing questions here. As for when your stop is coming up i suggest going to the www.bahn.de (German rail web site for schedules all over Europe) and print out a detailed stop by stop itinerary for your train, then you can cross off the stops as you go along and see when yours is approaching. (A good way to access the Wunderbar bahn.de site's English schedule page is to go to budget europe's home page i referenced and click on the link All european Railway Timetables and you'll get the English schedule site and the home page gives several tips on how to fully use the site. In any case don't expect any undue problems IME |
Oh and you won't have to learn any French words to navigate the airport as pictograms of a taxi are ubiquitous and it's just a short walk to the taxi stand.
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You may find the new www.easycdg.com site easier to use than the Aeroports de Paris site, www.adp.fr.
As PalenQ says, the timetables at www.bahn.de are very helpful. One tip: After you enter your date and departure time for Paris-Gstaad and get the appropriate timetables, scroll down to the lower right-hand corner and click on "Print view." You'll get a new window in a printable format. |
Hi df,
>I have read that American Airlines arrives CDG at Terminal 1 and another place said Terminal 2A. I< AA can tell you where you will land. >I want to have some idea of the route to the baggage area, customs, and exit to taxi stand.< Follow everyone else. You will see signs with pix of luggage and taxis. At Customs go through the "nothing to declare" door. >I'm thinking we could strap [the luggage] together in the luggage rack to keep them safe. Wanna buy a never-used bicycle chain and lock? The only time anyone can steal your luggage is at a station. All you need do is walk down the aisle and keep watch - trying not to get in other people's way. >Is there a warning before arriving at a stop? Well, the train slows down significantly. :) Check your route at www.bahn.de. Find the stop before yours. >Can't quite anticipate all the important factors involved in a speedy transfer,... Go to luggage rack. Grab luggage. Set it down at door. Climb down steps. Pull luggage off train. Get out of the way. :) >a party of 7 with 7 large pull-type suitcases (I know, I know). Since you know, now is the time to remove half of what's in your suitcase and put what's left into a 22 or 24". Enjoy your visit. ((I)() |
Most German trains have automated annunciator systems with a visual component indicating the next stop (<i>nächste halt</i>) and an audio announcement telling whether to disembark on the left (<i>links</i>) or right (<i>rechts</i>). The audio comes on in plenty of time to get up from your seat and make your way to the door.
As TimS says PalenQ says, the timetables at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en are very helpful. One tip: After you enter your date and departure time for Paris-Gstaad and get the appropriate timetables, click on the trip you have selected, and a detailed view of the connections will appear. Then click on "Show intermediate stops" and every station traversed by the train(s) will be listed. NOW scroll down to the lower right-hand corner and click on "Print view." You'll get a new window in a printable format. |
American Airlines use Terminal 2A.
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