tully

I am planning on take the RER from Luxembourg to CDG on June 2nd, for my flight home. I'm not too concerned as long as some trains are running, or as a back-up I can take the Roissy bus or taxi.

My question though is this: I've seen various places online where, if a strike is underway, I would have to change trains at Gare du Nord. Can anyone elaborate or is that not true?

aveebee86

Thanks - it sounds like the Air France bus to a taxi at Montparnasse is probably my best bet for luggage, jet lag, and one person. Also noticed that Air France is now Le Bus Direct - I wonder if that's affected the service at all?

I'm crossing my fingers that our train is running next week Thursday! Outside of the trains, are there other viable options from Paris to say, Brussels (which would get us close enough to Bruges)? I've been looking at OuiBus and MegaBus as alternatives. I don't think renting a car is going to happen.

kerouac

Tully, the reason that one has to change trains on the RER B at Gare du Nord on a strike day is because operation of the line is shared between the SNCF and the RATP. North of Gare du Nord is SNCF and everything south is RATP. Under normal circumstances, the line is connected and shared but on a strike day, each operator keeps to its official sector.

Whathello

Yes. There have been discussions since ages to put RER B under one head only. And to invest in the line...
So yes, in case of strikes, you leave the RER B underground at GDN go upstairs and find the RER on a platform at ground level).
Just follow the flow... when going towards CDG.

fuzzbucket

The airport fees are flat fees, with no additional charges except for 5 or more passengers (4 EU each in addition to the meter).

There are no fees for luggage in the trunk.

Here are the rates for flat fees for 4 passengers and their luggage to or from either airport to any address in Paris:

Left Bank flat fee: 50 EU CDG / 30 EU ORY
Right Bank flat fee: 55 EU CDG / 35 EU ORY

If you have luggage and are tired, I wouldn't recommend taking the bus then finding a taxi - both of which will take a fair amount of time - and why deal with the changes and hassle of loading and unloading?

Perhaps you might want to do this on the return trip, but just getting in a taxi from the airport and getting to your lodging would be the easiest choice.

kerouac

Actually, you reversed the left bank and right bank rates, fuzzbucket.

kawh

We took ouibus from Paris to Rouen. Totally comfy and super inexpensive. Out from LA Defense.

fuzzbucket

kerouac, you should know by now that I am dyslexic!

For the person who asked about trying to go early to get to their train during the strikes - a couple of minutes might not hurt, but the platforms are announced just 20 minutes ahead of the train's arrival time, so too far in advance wouldn't help you at all.

tully

Thanks for the info. I've been here since Friday and haven't paid much attention to see if the strikes will continue. Since I'm leaving at the same time as my friend (who is catching the Eurostar to London) it may be easier to just taxi to GdN so I won't have to bother with changing levels.