Paris and the RER
 

Can anyone tell me if there are horrible steps associated with taking the RER from Charles de Gaulle? These are the directions on our hotel site: "RER B in the direction of Robinson-St Rémy lès-Chevreuse, alight at Notre Dame-Saint Michel." My sister has recently had knee surgery, so we want to limit the number of steps she has to climb, if at all possible.

I took that route last time I was there. If I remember correctly...escalator down to tracks at CDG, and to exit at St Michel...one flight of ~15-20 steps to street (?) The RATP says elevator/escalator work in progress.

If I recall, when getting on to the RER train, there are about 3-4 steps.

JBX,
not all RER trains are the same. I believe you a correct that RER Line C (the two level) trains have several steps when you board, but that is not the case for RER B trains.

I would take a shuttle or taxi if sis has had recent knee surgery. Why risk being 'stuck' or getting turned around in the underground? It can be a bit confusing to get oriented if it's your first time. If you have to rely on an escalator, just your luck it will be out of service.

t

I'm the knee challenged sister, and I've progressed enough since my surgery that I can do steps -- I just want to avoid too many with luggage. Our hotel said they will provide a shuttle for 18 euros a piece, but I'm not sure it's worth the extra cost, particularly because I wonder if it would be easier to find the RER than the shuttle bus.

I'm not knee-challenged, and there is no way I would consider the train again if I had anything other than one very compact and light weight bag. Seriously, I would go without food or drink if necessary to be able to pay for a taxi rather than try to manage a big bulky bag on the train. The biggest problem I had was with the suitcase wheels getting stuck in the gap--the doors close faster than you'd expect--there you are half-in and half-out. Take a shuttle or cab.

Try going up the stairs in your home with everything you'll be carrying. Each staircase in the RER has twice as many steps.

There is an escalator all the way up to ground level from the St Michele station (assuming its up and running), You board the end of the train at CDG, when you exit at St Michele, follow the signs to the Hotel Dieu exit. However, this will put you on il de la cite across the river from Place st michel so you will have to walk it a bit further.

The RER has escalators (and an invisible elevator for wheelchair people) going down to the train platform.

At Notre Dame-Saint Michel, there are escalators going all the way up to street level at the Notre Dame exit (back of the train). For the Place Saint Michel exit, escalators go up to the metro level, leaving you with one full flight of stairs to climb to get to street level.

Whenever an escalator was out of order, it is always immediately reported here. All of the people with no escalator problems do not return here to make special posts about the escalators working, for some reason.

How much would a taxi be from CDG to Saint Germain?

Nevermind. I just found out that a taxi would probably be exorbitant, an estimated 50 euros, since it runs on a meter.

You could take the Roissy bus to L'Opera, then switch to a taxi. That would be cheaper. The bus stops outside the CDG terminal and has just a few steps, while the bags are stored underneath.

In fact, you might consider using the bus for in-city transportation. Not only do you avoid stairs, you can sightsee out the window.

Also look at the Air France bus which would let you off at Gare de Lyon. You could then pick your mode of transport to your hotel.

If you don't want to pay the taxi rate, and IF you don't want a multi-segment trip, why not a shuttle service? It will be only a couple euro more than piecing together a bus+taxi, and it will be curbside service.

Bee Shuttle - 17€ pp for 2 together
http://www.bee-shuttle.com/

Parishuttle - 19€ pp for 2 together
http://www.parishuttle.com/

Pais Blue Shuttle - 36-37.5€ for both(total); cheaper if you buy round-trip tickets
http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/

Why don't you ask the doctor if it's a good idea to use a subway/train system on a trip with lots of steps and walking to save 10 euro (diff. in RER cost and the group shuttle).


It shouldn't be easier to find the RER than a shuttle at CDG (shuttles should actually be near where you depart or get out of customs/passport control), and the RER will be a ways from where you land, most likely, so you'll have to figure out how you plan to get to the RER at CDG from your landing point. There are some very crowded shuttle buses that go around the airport, and you can walk if you are close enough. I think there are escalators or elevators at CDG to get to the RER platform, not just stairs, but it's been a while so I can't remember the details.

Christina, you're making the sister sound as though she is at death's door. Paris is a city for walking, so if the doctor thought the sister was unable to walk to the RER at CDG and then walk up one flight of steps at St. Michel, she probably shouldn't be going to Paris at all.

A week ago we decided against taking the RER @St. Michel-Notre Dame to CDG when we saw the very steep long flght of stairs we would have to navigate with our luggage. There is an escalator for "arrivals" at the stop but not "departures". We had been planning all along to take the RER and I was very glad we reconnoitered it the night before. Taxi for 4 persons was 40 e to CDG and IMO every penny. I think shuttle would have been similar price but I would have booked if had been organized.