Is it safe to travel from Gare Du Nord to Hotel(Palais Royal Station) using Metro At Night?
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:08 AM
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't see any mention by starfruit that she is a first time traveller to Paris nor that she will have made a long, tiring journey. In fact, she sounds quite knowledgeable about the Paris metro with her ability to consider alternative routes. She and her husband have minimal luggage.
She wants the answer to two questions: is the transfer easy and is it safe.
I don't know if the transfer is easy at Gare de L'Est but I have used that metro station a few times late at night without incident and never felt unsafe on that line.
She wants the answer to two questions: is the transfer easy and is it safe.
I don't know if the transfer is easy at Gare de L'Est but I have used that metro station a few times late at night without incident and never felt unsafe on that line.
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:09 AM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I find the Chatelet metro stop a little creepy late at night, too.
As you are traveling as a couple and carrying minimal luggage, you should be fine on the metro.
I did have one bad experience at the Gare du Nord when I was traveling alone at night, heading through the station to catch the Thalys back to Brussels. I was walking from the metro to the main train station and about halfway through, a couple of shady looking teens began to follow me. Having been mugged by three young men a few months earlier in Brussels (at 6:30 pm), I was a little nervous. Fortunately, as they were closing in, a security guard appeared around the corner and the two just melted away into the shadows. But that was my only bad experience in dozens of solo trips involving the Gare du Nord.
As you are traveling as a couple and carrying minimal luggage, you should be fine on the metro.
I did have one bad experience at the Gare du Nord when I was traveling alone at night, heading through the station to catch the Thalys back to Brussels. I was walking from the metro to the main train station and about halfway through, a couple of shady looking teens began to follow me. Having been mugged by three young men a few months earlier in Brussels (at 6:30 pm), I was a little nervous. Fortunately, as they were closing in, a security guard appeared around the corner and the two just melted away into the shadows. But that was my only bad experience in dozens of solo trips involving the Gare du Nord.
Jul 5th, 2005, 10:30 AM
#24
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it's safe to assume that anyone who asks about a <i>correspondance</i> at Gare de L'Est has never done it before...
And anyone getting off a train at 23:30 has been awake for more than a few hours (probably the last Eurostar from Waterloo)...
And asking if the Métro is safe late at night is something that an old Paris hand is unlikely to ask...
And phrasing the question "Is taxi our only way out" evinces a certain frugality that would favor public transit if the risk and effort can be minimized...
And anyone getting off a train at 23:30 has been awake for more than a few hours (probably the last Eurostar from Waterloo)...
And asking if the Métro is safe late at night is something that an old Paris hand is unlikely to ask...
And phrasing the question "Is taxi our only way out" evinces a certain frugality that would favor public transit if the risk and effort can be minimized...
Jul 5th, 2005, 01:19 PM
#25
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
R: "I'd get on the RER B at Gare du Nord, get off at Châtelet-Les Halles, and walk from there."
Honestly, I find it a bit silly debating the merits of transferring from one line on the Metro to another vs. walking to the destination from the Chatelet.
Somehow the Metro is more dangerous than walking the streets at 11:30 pm (for someone who may not know as Paris as well).
Maybe there's some sort of logic I'm failing to see here.
Ok, I vote for taxi, though I obviously would use the Line 4/Line 1 combination.
I should know, by now, that arguing with some of you is completely futile.
Have fun, starfruit!
Honestly, I find it a bit silly debating the merits of transferring from one line on the Metro to another vs. walking to the destination from the Chatelet.
Somehow the Metro is more dangerous than walking the streets at 11:30 pm (for someone who may not know as Paris as well).
Maybe there's some sort of logic I'm failing to see here.
Ok, I vote for taxi, though I obviously would use the Line 4/Line 1 combination.
I should know, by now, that arguing with some of you is completely futile.
Have fun, starfruit!
Jul 5th, 2005, 01:22 PM
#26
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
By the way, again, I do think that Line 1/4 transfer is not difficult.
If you look at the Line 4 stops, you'll see that the line stops at both Chatelet and at Les Halles. It's true that that whole underground station is a maze, but I believe that the Line 4/1 transfer doesn't involve navigating the maze at all.
But good luck if you switch from RER B to Metro or if you get out of the RER B. I hope that you find the right exit there (there must be 10-15 exits in that station alone).
Be sure to bring a good map if you choose to walk.
My two cents.
If you look at the Line 4 stops, you'll see that the line stops at both Chatelet and at Les Halles. It's true that that whole underground station is a maze, but I believe that the Line 4/1 transfer doesn't involve navigating the maze at all.
But good luck if you switch from RER B to Metro or if you get out of the RER B. I hope that you find the right exit there (there must be 10-15 exits in that station alone).
Be sure to bring a good map if you choose to walk.
My two cents.
Jul 5th, 2005, 03:25 PM
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm looking to minimize walking distance. That's why I suggested that the OP compare the totals via the various routes.
If one of the Métro transfers results in the shortest distance, then by all means, use it. But remember, you have to start counting steps when you get off the train and don't stop until you're at the hotel.
I'll bet the RER to Châtelet is the shortest. To get oriented when you pop out of the ground, use the map from
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_telech_quartiers.php
If one of the Métro transfers results in the shortest distance, then by all means, use it. But remember, you have to start counting steps when you get off the train and don't stop until you're at the hotel.
I'll bet the RER to Châtelet is the shortest. To get oriented when you pop out of the ground, use the map from
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_telech_quartiers.php
Jul 5th, 2005, 05:16 PM
#28
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I really think that you've to know the right exit to use at Chatelet-Les Halles, and honestly, I never do. It sounds easy in theory, but I don't think that it's easy in practice if you're not familiar with Paris.
And honestly, how could the actual distance walked be shorter if you walked to Palais Royal from Chatelet as compared to transferring on the Metro? I'm (very) skeptical. The walking method needs to take into account the distance covered by a few Metro stops.
I'm reading starfruit's original message again -- and no, I don't know anything about Gare de l'Est. But I really can't imagine that using the Metro at that time of the night can be that dangerous. It's Paris, after all.
I'd be more concerned about walking on the streets and appearing confused while holding a map late at night. That has "easy target" written all over.
And the original poster is getting in on a Friday night. There'll be a lot of people on the Metro out partying.
If the original poster is genuinely concerned, yes, take a taxi.
And honestly, how could the actual distance walked be shorter if you walked to Palais Royal from Chatelet as compared to transferring on the Metro? I'm (very) skeptical. The walking method needs to take into account the distance covered by a few Metro stops.
I'm reading starfruit's original message again -- and no, I don't know anything about Gare de l'Est. But I really can't imagine that using the Metro at that time of the night can be that dangerous. It's Paris, after all.
I'd be more concerned about walking on the streets and appearing confused while holding a map late at night. That has "easy target" written all over.
And the original poster is getting in on a Friday night. There'll be a lot of people on the Metro out partying.
If the original poster is genuinely concerned, yes, take a taxi.
Jul 5th, 2005, 07:26 PM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know Gare de l' Est well. But I've been there around 5 in the morning and in the early evening. Early evening is still busy. But early morning is very empty, not desolate. If 11:30 or midnight is the same, then it's not that unsafe. It's a much smaller station than Gare du Nord and although there are 'gypsy' people trying to solicit money that's the only thing I noticed. Of course, you still have to be aware of your surroundings as usual.
Jul 6th, 2005, 08:16 AM
#39
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Robespierre,
The closest station to the hotel is "Palais-Royal", not "Chatelet". But who knows? Maybe it happens that the hotel is precisely between Chatelet and Palais Royal.
Now, given the implantation of hotels in this area it's unlikely. But who knows? Maybe the OP, rather than staying in one of the dozens hotels around the Palais-Royal, and generally in the direction opposite to Chatelet, reserved in some hotel in a secondary street in the general direction of Chatelet.
Now, this hotel is still closer to the Palais Royal. But who knows? Maybe it happens that it's just 10 meters closer to Palais Royal than to Chatelet.
Of course, as many posters mentionned, Chatelet is a very large and confusing station, with many exits some quite long away from the others. But who knows? Maybe the OP will, out of luck, pick the exit closest to Palais Royal (and his hotel) rather than one situated in the opposite direction.
So, I retract my statement. It is actually conceivable that the OP will walk less by getting off at Chatelet than by changing at Gare de l'Est. I just can't tell and withdraw my avice.
Instead, since it's obviously impossible to give any sensible advice without knowing exacly where the OP intends to stay, how well he'll able to navigate at Gare de l'Est and Chatelet, and what will be the athmospheric pressure, I think he should toss a coin.
Since it's similarily conceivable that the OP will be murdered at Gare de l'Est, I also withraw my comment about the metro being safe.
The closest station to the hotel is "Palais-Royal", not "Chatelet". But who knows? Maybe it happens that the hotel is precisely between Chatelet and Palais Royal.
Now, given the implantation of hotels in this area it's unlikely. But who knows? Maybe the OP, rather than staying in one of the dozens hotels around the Palais-Royal, and generally in the direction opposite to Chatelet, reserved in some hotel in a secondary street in the general direction of Chatelet.
Now, this hotel is still closer to the Palais Royal. But who knows? Maybe it happens that it's just 10 meters closer to Palais Royal than to Chatelet.
Of course, as many posters mentionned, Chatelet is a very large and confusing station, with many exits some quite long away from the others. But who knows? Maybe the OP will, out of luck, pick the exit closest to Palais Royal (and his hotel) rather than one situated in the opposite direction.
So, I retract my statement. It is actually conceivable that the OP will walk less by getting off at Chatelet than by changing at Gare de l'Est. I just can't tell and withdraw my avice.
Instead, since it's obviously impossible to give any sensible advice without knowing exacly where the OP intends to stay, how well he'll able to navigate at Gare de l'Est and Chatelet, and what will be the athmospheric pressure, I think he should toss a coin.
Since it's similarily conceivable that the OP will be murdered at Gare de l'Est, I also withraw my comment about the metro being safe.
Jul 6th, 2005, 08:57 AM
#40
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,862
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I probably shouldn't have brought up Chatelet at all. I'm just too used to the Line 1/4 combination.
Chatelet-Les Halles is confusing and bewildering, but I do think that the confusion comes when you switch between the Metro and RER. If you switch between 1 and 4 I think that it's like a usual transfer at any other Metro station.
But I probably shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sure Gare de l'Est is just fine. Or else the taxi will do.
Chatelet-Les Halles is confusing and bewildering, but I do think that the confusion comes when you switch between the Metro and RER. If you switch between 1 and 4 I think that it's like a usual transfer at any other Metro station.
But I probably shouldn't have brought it up. I'm sure Gare de l'Est is just fine. Or else the taxi will do.
