RER questions
Jul 27th, 2005, 07:52 AM
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RER questions
I know this type of question gets asked a lot, so I apologize in advance. I've looked at prior discussions and haven't found information on my exact questions.
First, let me say straight off that as a single budget-minded traveller, I have already ruled out taking a taxi from CDG to my hotel in the 6eme. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to take the RER or use the Air France bus to Montparnassee.
On my first trip to Paris, I took RER line B without incident, but I had help from someone who had befriended me at the airport. In my jet lag haze, I sort of remember struggling with my bags and the turnstiles (at both ends of the journey). I also remember feeling rather guilty taking up so much room on what eventually became a crowded train, although with a several well placed "excusez moi's" and "je suis desolee's", everybody seemed to be rather understanding.
So here are my questions: Is there away to avoid the turnstiles? I don't remember seeing doors that I could use instead, but I was pretty tired and unobservant at the time. My flight comes in around 9:30 a.m., presumably after the worst of rush hour. Do you think local commuters will still kill me with my giant suitcase if I take up a lot of space? And, finally, my hotel is on Rue de l'ecole de Medecine, about smack in the middle between the Odeon and Cluny metro stops. I can't tell from the map whether it would be better to get off the RER at Notre Dame/St. Michel or Luxembourg. Any thoughts?
Finally, if I do opt for the Air France bus, will it be clear once I get there where I can catch a taxi?
Thanks for the information.
Kate
First, let me say straight off that as a single budget-minded traveller, I have already ruled out taking a taxi from CDG to my hotel in the 6eme. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to take the RER or use the Air France bus to Montparnassee.
On my first trip to Paris, I took RER line B without incident, but I had help from someone who had befriended me at the airport. In my jet lag haze, I sort of remember struggling with my bags and the turnstiles (at both ends of the journey). I also remember feeling rather guilty taking up so much room on what eventually became a crowded train, although with a several well placed "excusez moi's" and "je suis desolee's", everybody seemed to be rather understanding.
So here are my questions: Is there away to avoid the turnstiles? I don't remember seeing doors that I could use instead, but I was pretty tired and unobservant at the time. My flight comes in around 9:30 a.m., presumably after the worst of rush hour. Do you think local commuters will still kill me with my giant suitcase if I take up a lot of space? And, finally, my hotel is on Rue de l'ecole de Medecine, about smack in the middle between the Odeon and Cluny metro stops. I can't tell from the map whether it would be better to get off the RER at Notre Dame/St. Michel or Luxembourg. Any thoughts?
Finally, if I do opt for the Air France bus, will it be clear once I get there where I can catch a taxi?
Thanks for the information.
Kate
Jul 27th, 2005, 08:00 AM
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When are you going to be in Paris? In August a lot of people go on vacation, so there would be less people in the RER and maybe less congestion. It would be best to get off at the Saint Michel - Notre Dame station if you were to take the RER. One of my tips is that you should put your suitcase where the fold-down seats are (just make sure they aren't folded down..), then sit next to the suitcase on a different fold-down seat.
If you take the Air France, you may get stuck in congested traffic; there's always that chance when taking road vehicules. What's nice is you don't have to deal with crowded trains and walking up stairs with a heavy suitcase. Once you arrive at Gare Montparnasse, you should be able to catch a taxi, as it is a main train station. You can also take the Metro to Odéon on Line 4, but if you're taking the métro, then you might as well take the RER.
If you take the Air France, you may get stuck in congested traffic; there's always that chance when taking road vehicules. What's nice is you don't have to deal with crowded trains and walking up stairs with a heavy suitcase. Once you arrive at Gare Montparnasse, you should be able to catch a taxi, as it is a main train station. You can also take the Metro to Odéon on Line 4, but if you're taking the métro, then you might as well take the RER.
Jul 27th, 2005, 08:12 AM
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Thanks Transit Buddie. Are those seats you mentioned located in a particular part of each train car? Sorry to be so anal, but I know I'll be tired after the flight and the more information I learn while alert, the better off I'll be.
I'm traveling in mid-September so, unfortunately, I think Paris will be "restocked" with locals. I imagine they're used to seeing people on the trains with luggage though.
I'm traveling in mid-September so, unfortunately, I think Paris will be "restocked" with locals. I imagine they're used to seeing people on the trains with luggage though.
Jul 27th, 2005, 08:15 AM
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You may remember this, but don't forget to carry your RER ticket with you.
If you DO go through a turnstile, you put your ticket in to unlock it. What was not obvious to me is that the ticket comes out the other side of the turnstile machine, and you are expected to take it back. I didn't know that, so I just left it.
Then at my stop in Paris, I needed my ticket to get OUT of the station. But of course, I didn't have it.
A Metro official took pity on the clueless American, and let me out without a ticket.
- Larry
If you DO go through a turnstile, you put your ticket in to unlock it. What was not obvious to me is that the ticket comes out the other side of the turnstile machine, and you are expected to take it back. I didn't know that, so I just left it.
Then at my stop in Paris, I needed my ticket to get OUT of the station. But of course, I didn't have it.
A Metro official took pity on the clueless American, and let me out without a ticket.
- Larry
Jul 27th, 2005, 09:02 AM
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The folddown seats are on metro trains, they are right near the doorways -- you've probably seen them. I don't think they are on RER trains, anyway. There is a way to get by turnstiles, but there may not be a transport worker there to unlock the side passageway without one, so don't count on it. I know you've decided to do this, but I think if your bag is too big for those, maybe you shouldn't be taking it. I've taken the metro with baggage upon arrival and never had any problems with the turnstiles, and I don't particularly travel super-light, so I think if it's really difficult for you with your bags, you should do something else. You must have a bag of 28" or more? Well, you will have gotten on the train first, so the crowds probably won't be an issue in your timeframe and it will be more the middle of the day. I think that's a good time to do this.
As for stop, I'm not sure it matters that much, but I'm having trouble remembering the St Michel RER exit and if it's difficult. That station is not one of my favorite. I think Luxembourg is a little farther, but it is smaller (that is the only line), has an escalator, and the trip from there to your hotel is kind of slightly downhill.
Taking a taxi from Gare Montparnasse should be obvious. The taxi queue is out in front bordering on bd Montparnasse; it is kind of a walk from where the Air France bus lets you off, actually.
If your luggage isn't really super huge, since it's midday, I'd just take the RER B if I were you.
As for stop, I'm not sure it matters that much, but I'm having trouble remembering the St Michel RER exit and if it's difficult. That station is not one of my favorite. I think Luxembourg is a little farther, but it is smaller (that is the only line), has an escalator, and the trip from there to your hotel is kind of slightly downhill.
Taking a taxi from Gare Montparnasse should be obvious. The taxi queue is out in front bordering on bd Montparnasse; it is kind of a walk from where the Air France bus lets you off, actually.
If your luggage isn't really super huge, since it's midday, I'd just take the RER B if I were you.
Jul 27th, 2005, 11:11 AM
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The fold down-seats are only on the RER B and some RER A trains. They are right next to the doorways. Going through the turnstiles, you can put your luggage through a certain luggage entrance, where you can slip the luggage through and you can go through the adjacent turn-stile. I don't really know how to explain what it's like, but you'll see it at the airport. If you are arriving in Terminal 1, it may be a bit hard taking the RER, because you will have to take a free shuttle to the station. I have done it with two heavy suitcases and it is possible.
When you arrive at Saint Michel, take the Boulevard Saint Germain exit (the same exit with the "correspondance" with the line 10). This will bring you close to the Cluny station and the turnstiles are fare-gates/doors, so it wouldn't be too hard to exit. There are escalators on this exit.
When you arrive at Saint Michel, take the Boulevard Saint Germain exit (the same exit with the "correspondance" with the line 10). This will bring you close to the Cluny station and the turnstiles are fare-gates/doors, so it wouldn't be too hard to exit. There are escalators on this exit.
Jul 27th, 2005, 11:20 AM
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That's great information. Thank you. I think I probably will take the RER. My big suitcase isn't gigantic exactly; just kind of heavy when full. I can always ask somebody for a little assistance. The RER's speed, reliability and cost just can't be beat. I'll think of the money I saved while spluring for a special dinner or buying that must-have pair of shoes! And when I finally have enough money saved, I'll take a taxi.
