What is the easiest and safest way to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris? We will have a couple of pieces of luggage and a carry-on and video camera. Is the RER safe? What is the difference between the RER and the Metro? <BR> <BR>Thanks!!

The RER is more like a commuter train, while the Metro is a subway(I'm from NY so the RER is the LIRR and the Metro is the subway). The Metro mainly stays in Paris, while the RER goes to the burbs. It is quite safe, and probably the fastest and cheapest way to Paris from CDG. If you have alot of luggage, I would recommend a cab, the Metro has lots of stairs and negotiating an unfamiliar place with all the luggage can be daunting.

Lori's advice is excellent. <BR>With any substantial luggage, I too would recommend a taxi unless your budget is very tight. The RER-metro <BR>route is challenging to say the least (because of luggage) and when you exit your final station you'd still have to walk to your hotel. <BR>Below is information from my files on your transportation options. Enjoy your trip. <BR>Roissy-Bus: runs round-trip Roissy-Charles de Gaulle <BR>airport from Opera, rue Scribe, near the Opera Garnier, right in front of the American Express building from 5:45 am to 11 pm with a departure <BR>every 15 minutes. The fare is 40 francs (1999) or Formule 1 pass, <BR>zone 1 to 5, or Paris Visit Pass, zone 1 to 5. The average <BR>trip time is 45 minutes. <BR> <BR>Roissy-Bus pick up points at CDG airport <BR>Aérogare (building) 1 Gate 30, arrivals <BR> Aérogare (building) 2 hall A, gate 10 <BR> hall D, gate 12 <BR> Aérogare (building) 9 gate A <BR> <BR>Or, take the RER (train) into Paris: . It is quick and easy as long as your luggage is light, and costs 48F ($8) (1999) <BR> At CDG at terminal 2, you follow the signs. You can get off at Gare de Nord or 3 other stops in <BR> Paris. If you plan to use the RER to return to the airport, buy a round-trip ticket. <BR>Roissy Rail runs from 5:30 am until midnight, departure every 15 minutes from the many RER stations on line B. The average trip time between Gare du Nord and Roissy (CDG) airport is 35 minutes. <BR> <BR>First train : 4:55 AM. Last train : 23:56 PM. <BR>Frequency : every 15 minutes (every 8 minutes at rush hour). <BR>Average journey time from Roissy to Paris 35 minutes. <BR>Fares : second class 46 FF, first class 68 FF. <BR>Travel pass : <BR>"Aéroports de Paris" shuttle / RER / Metro. <BR> <BR>RER Metro and Bus maps <BR>http://www.paris.org/Metro/ <BR> <BR>map of airport: <BR>http://www.decollage.org/CDG/in.htm <BR> <BR> For further information on the Paris Transportation <BR>Services call from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm (Paris time, obviously) from the US <BR>011 33 1 43.46.14.14 and ask for an English speaking person. <BR>Air France coach service <BR>Shuttles to Paris Porte Maillot & Charles-de-Gaulle-Etoile <BR>(Arc de Triomphe) every 12 minutes from 5:40 AM to 11:00 PM. <BR>Average journey time : 35 minutes. <BR>Fare : 55 FF (one way), 95 FF (round trip) (1999). Shuttles to Paris Gare Montparnasse on the hour from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM & 2:00PM to 9:00 PM, every 30 minutes from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Average journey time : 50-60 minutes. <BR>Fares : 65 FF (one way), 110 F (round trip). (1999) <BR> <BR>Air France coach pick up points <BR>Aérogare (building) 1 gate 36, arrivals (all destinations) <BR>Aérogare (building) 2, halls A & C gate 5 (Porte Maillot & Etoile) <BR>hall C, gate 1 (Montparnasse) <BR>Aérogare (building) 2, halls B & D gate 6 (Porte Maillot & Etoile) <BR>hall B, gate 1(Montparnasse) <BR>Terminal 9 "Aéroports de Paris" coaches drop passengers free of <BR>charge at Aérogare 2 departure points <BR> <BR>Airport Shuttle, a van service. You can call them when you arrive, they pick you up at your terminal and take you to your hotel. They may be picking up others as well, so you may make stops at other hotels before you get to yours. <BR>The e-mail address is: <BR>[email protected] <BR>They have a desk at the airports, but encourage booking in <BR>advance so you don't have to wait. Toll-free # from US is 888-426-2705. <BR>Their web site: www.paris-anglo.com/clients/ashuttle.html. <BR>In March 99 it was 89FF per person for two or more. <BR>You can reserve prior to leaving home (they'll ask for a credit card for a deposit). Go to the courtesy telephone near baggage claim at either Orly or CDG. You'll be directed to a nearby gate where the van will pick you up. I have read mixed reactions on this service. Some have praised it, some have said they were kept waiting for the van for a long time.. <BR> <BR>Taxis <BR>Taxi stands at CDG airport <BR>Aérogare (building) 1 gate 16 <BR>Aérogare (building) 2 gate 7 - arrivals hall <BR>Terminal 9 in front <BR>Trip from CDG airport averages 200-300 francs, depending on traffic. <BR> <BR>Taxis are available at all air terminals, train stations, and at designated taxi stands within Paris. Within Paris, a taxi is available if its small white roof light is on. A taxi is occupied if its small orange light is on, and it is off-duty if it has no light on. There are additional charges for luggage, and night trips. Most taxis won't take more than three passengers. Larger taxis have higher charges. If your hotel calls one for you, there is a surcharge on the fare. Tip 10-15%. <BR> <BR>

The above posters are correct that the biggest factor in whether to take the RER into Paris is the distance from station to hotel and how you want to hnndle your luggage. Here are a few tips about taking the RER from CDG, however: first, it will probably be faster than a taxi or shuttle. Second, if your hotel is not near any of the line B RER stations, but is near a station on one of the other lines, take the RER from CDG to Chatelet-Les Halles, which is an interchange where you can change to another line. Even if you have to pay a standard fare, it'll be under $1.50, and less if you're planning to use the metro or take the bus (I advise taking the bus or walking in the city--you see so much more than if you take the metro) and already have a pass or buy a carnet (booklet) of 10 tickets for a discount. Any good map of Paris will show the RER stations and which line they're on, so you can see how they relate to where you're staying. Here is the best tip for taking luggage on the RER: board at the last door on the last car, or the first door on the first car, of the train. Either will lead to an open vestibule-type space with several fold-down "jump-seats." You can sit on one of these and park your bags next to your feet without having to worry about cramming them in among the seats. You should have no problem with finding space, since CDG terminals 1 and 2 are the last two stops on the line, and the train will be empty when you board. The RER is perfectly safe; just keep your hands and eyes on your belongings as you would in any public place. Also. don't bother buying a return ticket at CDG. It'll only take a moment to buy the ticket at the station you depart from, and this way keep your options open for the most convenient way to return to the airport.

I don't mean to be redundant but despite Caitlin's excellent tips about logistics, I have to point out that the Chatelet station in Paris is a killer. It is large, it offers many transfer opportunities, but though I am not at all infirm or lazy I think the corridors in that station are interminably long and the flights of stairs are physically quite challenging even without luggage. <BR>