Surviving CDG airport + RER
 

I have seen so many complaints about what a nightmare CDG is that I thought it might be useful to do a photo thread about certain aspects of the airport.

Frankly, I do not think it is very complicated to get around, and I think that the RER is a superb and very simple way to get into the city cheaply.

Anyway, here are a few visual aids for navigating around CDG: http://tinyurl.com/yfynwck

Feel free to tell me what else you need to see, and I will add more photos as soon as possible.

If you could convince the RER authorities to have a refill stand in every station, it could make things much easier for those who have metro tickets from a previous year. Use the metro ticket to get in and refill the ticket at the exit point when the rush of people would not be as great. (BART in the SF Bay area works that way). As it is, the lines for RER tickets at automated machines and with the agents are very long.

Well, as you can see, there were no lines at the machines when I was there.

Well, every time I have arrived at CDG from the States, the crowds were incredible and the lines frustrating after an overnight flight.

I saw last week that were about three times as many machines as I have seen in the past.

Thanks for the refresher -- its been a couple years since I landed at CDG. Are there places where I can buy a telephone carte?

Newsstands sell telephone cards.

Thanks for the pictorial guide. When I arrived at CDG in 2004, I called the apartment agent and told them we were going to take the RER, but they talked me into taking a taxi. If you're on a budget, I don't see why doing the RER should be impossible, but I do see why folks might view taking a taxi as less of a chore after a long flight.

My husband and I flew out of CDG on our way back to the States this summer, and I have to say, it is not one of the easier airports to navigate. The crowds were overwhelming, and we felt like we were funneled through a meat grinder, ending up in an over-crowded waiting area. That being said, once we scrounged up 17 Euros in change to purchase our RER tickets, we didn't have any issues with the train.

I probably wouldn't advise anyone to take the RER if it's their first visit to Paris but I've been taking it into the city since my third trip (and I barely speak French).

It's pretty straightforward, especially if you use the online route creator. I think kerouac or someone posted a link to this a few years ago. I stay in the 11th and pick up a connection at Gard du Nord which takes me within about three blocks of my flat.

We just took the RER from CDG to Paris for the 1st time a few weeks ago and it was quite easy. It appeared to us that there was new and better signage than in years past. Am I correct?

We did only have 3-21" bags to deal with between us. I can see if you had a lot of large luggage it might be difficult to navigate the stairs and turnstyles.

It was the Fodorites who told us how easy it was to do, so it was a new challenge for us and saved us some money.

Now on the return we did take a taxi as we had a few more bags after shopping.

Thanks, kerouac, 4 the info on the phone cards.

I think taking the RER from CDG is not difficult at all. Figure out where u need to go online before u leave makes it easier.

Kerouac, since you are the resident Paris expert - I have a couple questions maybe you could help with. First though I totally agree with you about both CDG and the RER. I have flown in and out of CDG as well as transferred through and never had a problem and have also wondered why so many people seem to have issues with it. I've also used the RER with no problems (and my French is terrible).

Now my questions. I have only used Orly a few times and can't remember the best way from city center (the 5th) to get there. I don't require a whole photo essay (though your CDG one was kind of interesting) but could you just remind how best (least expensive) to get there.

Also, I'll need a french sim card. I have an unlocked phone that works in Europe, just need a sim card. Where is the best place to get that?

Thanks

Kerouac, thanks for sharing your practical guide to CDG. The only time I ever missed a flight was at CDG one damp spring morning when a friend and I were traveling from Boston to Florence. Shame on me – I had not studied the map of the airport, had little time between flights, took the wrong bus (or whatever), but (luckily) was able to schedule a later flight to our destination. Of course, that occasioned a baggage mishap. Since then, I have been sure to schedule at least 2 ½ hours for transfers and study the layout of the terminals beforehand. Traveling is such a learning curve!

Again, thanks for your great info and pics of Paris.

Kerouac, sorry if this has been asked before. My plane lands at terminal 1. I am catching another plane from Terminal 2. What is the quickest way to get there? Is there a shuttle bus or a moving walkway?

Great pictorial guide to the airport, thanks - I've done in several times before but it's nice for a review! I'll be there in around seven weeks. :)

<i>I have only used Orly a few times and can't remember the best way from city center (the 5th) to get there. I don't require a whole photo essay (though your CDG one was kind of interesting) but could you just remind how best (least expensive) to get there.</i>

Just like CDG, Orly has several ways to get to the city. Exactly where you are going in the city will often determine which route is the most appropriate.

The "best" but most expensive way is to take the Orlyval. This is an automatic shuttle that connects to the RER B.

There is also Orlyrail with a bus that takes you to the RER C. It is good if you are going to Saint Michel or the Eiffel Tower area or things like that, but I find it quite slow.

Naturally, there are Air France coaches that go to either Montparnasse or Invalides.

Orlybus is one of the cheaper options. It goes to Denfert-Rochereau in the south of Paris.

There is also something called the Jetbus, which connects to the end of metro line 7, which goes to such places as Châtelet and Opéra.

I generally just take the Orlyval, because it takes me the closest to home.

<b>Other question:</b>

<i>My plane lands at terminal 1. I am catching another plane from Terminal 2. What is the quickest way to get there?</i>

The CDG VAL automatic shuttle now connects all of the terminals. Very quick and easy (and free).

Thanks Kerouac.

kerouac,

As usual, your photos are not only inviting and engrossing, but really informative as well!! I think this will help a lot of folks.

Just to add on. I follow Lance Armstrong's tweets (oh well), and he was just in Paris for the 2010 TdF route announcement. He just posted this image from CDG:

http://twitpic.com/li92w

Thanks as always!

s

Thanks, Kerouac. A nice aid for the uninitiated. Always enjoy your contributions.

I think for me the biggest problem at CDG has always been the throngs of people. There isn't a good "flow" pattern, with lines waiting for security check jutting out into the main corridor. Add to your clear photos a hundred or two people more = not so clear anymore! Last arrival at CDG in May 2009 was the first time where there was an obvious lack of people, even though the arrival time was the same. Perhaps a sign of the economic downturn, but it sure was easier to navigate without the crowds!