Surviving CDG airport + RER
Oct 15th, 2009, 03:36 AM
#22
Original Poster
Well, the problem with Terminal 2 A-B-C-D is that every new airport terminal that somebody builds always tries to innovate with something new that no other airport can claim. The grand idea for A-B-C-D was to have the "shortest distance in the world" from curbside to airside. So the damned terminal is much too narrow for 21st century traffic, especially with all of the extra security measures that have clogged traffic flow even more. When people could just walk up to a counter, there really wasn't a problem. But now that you have to line up in one big line for the silly questions about who packed your baggage, the design has totally failed.
And that's why terminals E-F are completely different, as will be G-H. With a little luck, once they have finished building the other terminals, maybe they will have the sense to tear down A-B-C-D and start over.
And that's why terminals E-F are completely different, as will be G-H. With a little luck, once they have finished building the other terminals, maybe they will have the sense to tear down A-B-C-D and start over.
Oct 15th, 2009, 05:17 AM
#23
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I understand that for a first time, you can easily be lost in the airport. RER B is indeed the best and cheapest way to go to the CDG airport.
Nicolas
http://visitparisiphone.blogspot.com/
Nicolas
http://visitparisiphone.blogspot.com/
Oct 15th, 2009, 05:36 AM
#24
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Going to be in Paris for the last leg of our honeymoon in December and I've heard such horrible thing about this airport. After looking at your pictures I don't understand how it can be so confusing...Has anyone here ever been to Hartsfield Jackson in Atl? It's pretty similar to what I've seen so far on here - the references to cattle hearding, the long lines for security and check-in, the ridiculous amounts of gates and terminals. After reading this post I'm no longer worried about finding my way around there! Thanks!!!
Oct 15th, 2009, 06:51 AM
#27
Original Poster
No, that would just add an extra station to your trip. You would get off at the CDG VAL stop that is called (I think) Terminal 3 and which is (this is confusing) the "Aéroport CDG 1" RER stop (terminal 2 is "Aéroport CDG 2" and all of the trains from there have to go through "Aéroport CDG 1" to get to Paris). In any case, it is perfectly clear on the route map (I can't even check my own thread because pictures do not display on my office computer.).
Oct 15th, 2009, 07:08 AM
#28
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As always, kerouac provides excellent information!
FYI, www.parisbytrain.com is a Web site devoted primarily to helping people get from CDG to Paris. It, too, has photos. It also has helpful information on Paris train stations and traveling by train in general on both the suburban and mainline systems.
FYI, www.parisbytrain.com is a Web site devoted primarily to helping people get from CDG to Paris. It, too, has photos. It also has helpful information on Paris train stations and traveling by train in general on both the suburban and mainline systems.
Oct 15th, 2009, 07:09 AM
#29
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We have twice taken RER B from and back-to central Paris, and everything people have written here seems correct. It is easy to do and quite speedy, the lines to get tickets at CDG are long at prime times--especially if one does not have enough coins to use a machine, and the terminal's main aisle (a word with a quite appropriate French origin, for an airport) are crowded with people in line at airline counters or waiting for others to arrive. If you are relatively agile (physically and mentally) and not burdened with a lot of baggage (physical and emotional), it is a good choice.
Oct 15th, 2009, 07:22 AM
#30
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Adding to my previous post. It would be more accurate to say that the Paris by Train site focuses on helping people get from all the airports (CDG, Orly, and Beauvais) to Paris and also gives information on the London-Paris Eurostar. Thus the "Paris by Train" name is quite fitting. And it includes lots of information on the RER and Metro systems. It's a very good "one stop" site.
Oct 15th, 2009, 08:10 AM
#32
TimS, great site! Thanks to both of u for all the useful info. I have copied all this and it should help my sleep deprived brain when we arrive in CDG in a couple months.
One more question--do either of you know where the machines are that kerouac shows for changing bills in order to use the machines to buy tixs for RER? I see what they look like in kerouac's pics. Assume they are near the ticket machines for the RER?
One more question--do either of you know where the machines are that kerouac shows for changing bills in order to use the machines to buy tixs for RER? I see what they look like in kerouac's pics. Assume they are near the ticket machines for the RER?
Oct 15th, 2009, 09:09 AM
#34
Hey TD -- how u doing? I know, the good ole US is always behind with stuff like that (although I have read reasons why they dont use the chip). Like when are we going to convert to the metric system already???
Oct 15th, 2009, 10:15 AM
#36
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i guess my question is, is there a clear sign which way to walk from the gate and/or baggage claim to the RER? i didnt see it in your pics.
i get it now, the elevators and the escalators are magenta. thanks! and the trains are green?
in my experience taxis are way more convenient than the trains in airports like LHR and even JFK in ny. not to forget that LHR trains are pretty expensive. is this the same case for CDG? im just trying to guage the expense and the time spent over taking public transport from CDG to paris. i would appreciate your opinion.
i get it now, the elevators and the escalators are magenta. thanks! and the trains are green?
in my experience taxis are way more convenient than the trains in airports like LHR and even JFK in ny. not to forget that LHR trains are pretty expensive. is this the same case for CDG? im just trying to guage the expense and the time spent over taking public transport from CDG to paris. i would appreciate your opinion.
Oct 15th, 2009, 10:44 AM
#38
Original Poster
One of the big problems of people looking for the RER is the fact that the RER logo is just a small RER in a circle while the main signs say "Paris by Train" and this just doesn't register for some reason.
(Yes I admit that the photo of the moving walkway just shows the car park sign and not the 'Paris by Train' sign just before it!)
(Yes I admit that the photo of the moving walkway just shows the car park sign and not the 'Paris by Train' sign just before it!)
Oct 15th, 2009, 11:14 AM
#39
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I'm sure that will of great help to many, kerouac.
Several years ago my then-15-yo-daughter flew alone into CDG, collected her bags, changed terminal and checked in again, all without any problem at all. Same on her return journey.
I had absolutely no trouble finding my way through the airport to the RER station earlier this year, it is SO well signed all along the way, as your pics show.
The only thing was I couldn't purchase the Mobilis pass for zones 1-6 at the airport ticket machine. So I bought a single into Paris and got the mobilis 1-2 at Gare du Nord. It cost fractionally more so wasn't a big deal.
As for the question is the RER safe - yes, perfectly, and should you consider taking a taxi, well if in doubt do not see the film Taken (starring Liam Neeson) - especially if you have young daughters! My younger daughter aged 18 had just flown into Berlin that day, and that film sent me into total-worry-mode until she texted me!
Several years ago my then-15-yo-daughter flew alone into CDG, collected her bags, changed terminal and checked in again, all without any problem at all. Same on her return journey.
I had absolutely no trouble finding my way through the airport to the RER station earlier this year, it is SO well signed all along the way, as your pics show.
The only thing was I couldn't purchase the Mobilis pass for zones 1-6 at the airport ticket machine. So I bought a single into Paris and got the mobilis 1-2 at Gare du Nord. It cost fractionally more so wasn't a big deal.
As for the question is the RER safe - yes, perfectly, and should you consider taking a taxi, well if in doubt do not see the film Taken (starring Liam Neeson) - especially if you have young daughters! My younger daughter aged 18 had just flown into Berlin that day, and that film sent me into total-worry-mode until she texted me!
Oct 15th, 2009, 11:53 AM
#40
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Great work, Kerouac! (...as usual)
I'm not as much of a verteran as some of you folks, but my wife and have been to Paris three times in the past few years, and we always take the RER. Cheap, and easy to use.
Tricky part 1: The terminals are out of order (geographically on the CDGVal), RER station CDG1 is at terminal 3, and RER station CDG 2 is at terminal 2. This might be out of date (never used T4), but here is how I saw it:
T1 - PRParking - T3/RERcdg1 - PXParking - T2/RERcdg2/TGV
So..yestravel - if you land at T1 (USAirways) you DO take the CDGVal to T3 to get the RER to Paris. ("Paris by Train" because the RER is a train, not strictly speaking part of the Metro system.) If you overshoot it and end up at T2, you can get on the RER there, too with the same ticket.
Tricky part 2: Knowing which trains are expresses. The signs on the platform usually list all the stations. The express goes from CDG all the way Gare du Nord without stopping, if I remember correctly -- that's how you can tell.
But that is not a critical issue, since expresses never pass locals to arrive sooner. We just take the first train heading toward Paris (or the airport).
We've found the ticket booth people friendly and helpful. Learning how to ask for the ticket in French really starts things off well (even if your pronunciation is bad). Just remember your bon jour madame/monsieur and s'il vous plait at the start and merci and au revoir at the end of your conversation -- the French are very polite and expect you to be the same.
Steve Sander
I'm not as much of a verteran as some of you folks, but my wife and have been to Paris three times in the past few years, and we always take the RER. Cheap, and easy to use.
Tricky part 1: The terminals are out of order (geographically on the CDGVal), RER station CDG1 is at terminal 3, and RER station CDG 2 is at terminal 2. This might be out of date (never used T4), but here is how I saw it:
T1 - PRParking - T3/RERcdg1 - PXParking - T2/RERcdg2/TGV
So..yestravel - if you land at T1 (USAirways) you DO take the CDGVal to T3 to get the RER to Paris. ("Paris by Train" because the RER is a train, not strictly speaking part of the Metro system.) If you overshoot it and end up at T2, you can get on the RER there, too with the same ticket.
Tricky part 2: Knowing which trains are expresses. The signs on the platform usually list all the stations. The express goes from CDG all the way Gare du Nord without stopping, if I remember correctly -- that's how you can tell.
But that is not a critical issue, since expresses never pass locals to arrive sooner. We just take the first train heading toward Paris (or the airport).
We've found the ticket booth people friendly and helpful. Learning how to ask for the ticket in French really starts things off well (even if your pronunciation is bad). Just remember your bon jour madame/monsieur and s'il vous plait at the start and merci and au revoir at the end of your conversation -- the French are very polite and expect you to be the same.
Steve Sander
