France Telecartes _Again_
 

We need to call a cell phone from CDG to our rental apartment. We have an old phone card (purchased with francs) but I don't remember if it has any time left on it.

I just want a card to make a few calls within Paris - no long distance. It should cover a 3-4 minute call to a cell phone and a few local calls.

Where do I buy one at CDG?

How much are the cheapest ones, I don't need too many minutes?

Which one do I want, Ticket France or Telecarte?

Thanks,

Nina

Cards are usually good for six months, or perhaps a year. Yours is definitely a souvenir. It won't work. You might find a stand that sells cards, and now they are also available in vending machines, at least in Paris proper. That might also be the case in CDG.

in Paris you can buy Telecarte at Metro ticket booths. I assume that at CDG the metro/RER ticket office will also sell them.

If you're arriving at Terminal 2, there's a shop downstairs that has the telecartes.

Thanks Underhill. I just checked and we are arriving at Terminal 1. Shouldn't be a big deal, but we will be half asleep and in a hurry to get our luggage and the shuttle. I'm sure they will be easy to find (famous last words).

Maybe we can hold a sign in French saying "will work for one cell phone call".

Nina

you are welcome Nina.

I am sure there are newsstands in all terminals at CDG so it shouldn't be a problem to find telecartes for sale there.

What is the name of the France only card - not interested in international?

Nina

Any Relais store (newsstand) at the airport will sell them.

Hi again Nina,

If you have a telecarte from france telecom with a chip in it, it is valid 2 years from date of purchase.

The telecarte has a chip in it which allows you to slide it into the slot of the pay phone and just dial the number. Ticket France cards are scratch off and you have to dial a number and punch in a code before dialing. Tickets France are good for international but i think the ease of the Telecarte is a good choice for your needs.

You can locate them newstand if others have mentioned. Heres a website in French that talks about telecartes: http://www.telecarte.tm.fr/fr/

I would just ask for une petit carte telephonique a puce svp. I think a small one will be enough. If you run out you can find them at any "tabac" and most newsstands in the city.

But Morgan, if she paid for it in francs, it's not going to be valid still, as that would be more than 2 years ago.

I think the newsstands are called 'Relay'.

I think you're right, francophile. Guess I'm just used to the real French spelling!

St Cirq, you're right, my card is three years old. I have saved (because I'm a pack rat) all of the cards we have bought over the years. Some of the old ones, going back to the early '80's are now collectors' items. That means nothing to me, they are just great souvenirs (sp).

Our apartment has a free phone, for all of France, so other than calling the apartment prior to our arrival, we will only use the card occasionally, while out and about for last minute diner reservations etc..

I feel more comfortable always having one with me - just in case. But, not worth a huge investment that will expire.

Nina

StCirq, wow has it been that long! They still talk about francs on tv and the prices in many stores still list the franc value under the euro price. I guess it has been well over two years!

Just ask for "Une télécarte 25 (vingt-cinq) unités, s'il-vous-plaît", it'll cost you about 3.75 euros. Re the "free" telephone in your apartment, the owner must subscribe to one of those new alternative telephone services that offer that kind of service. Be careful though: these free calls are only calls to landlines, which means they exclude cell phones and numbers starting with 08 something (except 0800). Because France is a wonderful country where, when you are a customer, you have to pay extra to reach the company you are patronizing!