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-   -   how to spend 19 Hour Layover in Paris_St Christopher's Hostel (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/how-to-spend-19-hour-layover-in-paris_st-christophers-hostel-801865/)

cblairtx1 Aug 18th, 2009 07:52 PM

how to spend 19 Hour Layover in Paris_St Christopher's Hostel
 
I am flying from Athens back to U.S. in the Fall with a 19 hour layover in Paris. I get to Paris in the afternoon and then depart for US the next morning.
I figured I would have time to see the Louvre and then get some sleep. I went ahead and booked a night at a hostel in Paris (St Christopher's Hostel).

Is it silly to think that i can get from CDG (late afternoon) to the Louvre (and enjoy it), get to the hostel (and get some sleep) and back to the airport the next morning (in time to catch an earlyt flight) all in 19 hours without nearly killing myself?
I know the lines for the Louvre are usually very long, but i plan to purchase advanced tickets online in order to skip the lines.
I know nothing about Paris and wasn't even planning to go there but I found a flight with this layover, so I figured what the heck!

Has anyone stayed at the St Christopher's Hostel in Paris? I've read mixed reviews about the neighborhood/location.

cathies Aug 18th, 2009 08:10 PM

What time do you arrive in Paris and what time do you have to be back at the airport?

I doubt the lines at the Louvre will be long by the time you get there. It is open late sometimes, make sure that the night you will be there is one of those nights.

WillTravel Aug 18th, 2009 10:30 PM

That sounds quite possible to me, except what I might suggest is that you take the RER to Gare du Nord, store your luggage at Gare du Nord (I think that's possible, but double-check), take the metro to the Louvre, walk around Paris for a bit, make sure to be back in time to get your luggage, and not head to the hostel until you are actually ready to sleep.

If you were staying at a place that was a little more central, my recommendation might be different. Alternatively, take a taxi to the hostel, drop your stuff off, and head out again by metro. This might be worth it to save time.

Check transport options at www.ratp.fr .

kerouac Aug 19th, 2009 12:42 AM

St. Christopher's Hostel is one of the very best locations in Paris, and the building sits directly in the water of the Bassin de la Villette. Since it is only about a year old, I would imagine that the rooms are still nice.

trsny Aug 19th, 2009 12:42 AM

I've stayed at St. Christopher's and liked it. As a single female traveler, I had no problems with the neighborhood. The hostel is about 2 blocks to the Crimee metro stop on the 7 line, which also stops near the Louvre.

cblairtx1 Aug 19th, 2009 08:15 AM

Very good idea WillTravel!

Thanks everyone!


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