First time to Paris
 

I am traveling with my 18yr old niece and wanting to verify info on taking train/RER/from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris. If anyone knows forms of payment accepted for the tickets. Also, if anyone has an idea of per day cost to eat in Paris, the minimum eating at a deli, picnics, crepes, drinks, etc. I appreciate all suggestions. Thanks so much.

Hi C,

They will always take cash for your RER tickets.

There are plenty of ATMS at CDG, or you can get about $100 worth of Euro at your departure airport. (this will cost about $4 more).

You an buy your meals takeout from most large supermarkets. Look up Monoprix at www.pagesjaunes.fr

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

You can buy your metro/RER tickets from an agent at the RER station in CDG using a Mastercard or Visa, probably AmEx too, as well as Euro.

You can buy picnic goodies from a local grocery store or some of the specialty shops (cheese, wine, bakery,etc) or the local markets. Food prices are probably very similar to what you'd pay at home to put a simple meal together.

Street crepe vendors sell crepes for 2-4€ (depending on fillings), boulangeries sell sandwiches, little pizzas and quiches, etc for 3-4€ or less. Soft drinks at such places are 1.5-2€ rough guess.

Cafe lunches/dinners (sandwich, omelette, salad plate, croque monsieur, etc) can be had for 7-9€; a glass of wine for 3-5€, similar for beer...

Restaurant dinners will cost anywhere from roughly 12€ up for a 'plat' or 18€ up for a 2-3 course 'prix fixe' menu... beverages are extra.

Also, there are a lot of Asian 'deli' places that sell hot food for 7-10€, usually very good.

Go to a grocery (Monoprix, Franprix, Casino, etc) and buy bottles of water, snacks, etc for your room.

Here is an exhaustive summary:

http://www.my-paris-page.com/parisairports.html

I am glad I read this - it appears that (as of May 2007) the automatic RER ticket machines at CDG now accept American debit cards!!!

If you go to Monoprix you can get 1 litre bottled water for .60 Euro, Fresh breads 1-2 Euros, Deli ham or cheese 2-3 Euro per 250g, good wine 5-9 Euros, Beer .70 Euro per 1/2 litre bottles, Fruits and snacks cheap. That's what we did a few times and put the left overs in the mini bar for night caps.