travlsolo2

I'll be arriving at mid day in Paris and am wondering if I should just jump right in and use the metro to get to my hotel, or take a taxi. It would be one change, and I've only been on the Paris metro twice before...so I'm a bit nervous. Can someone reassure me that it's easy, or should I take a taxi and save the metro experience until the next day?

WillTravel

How much luggage do you have?

Personally I think it would be relatively easy. But there's no doubt it's more relaxing to take a taxi. I'd rather have the extra 30 or 40 Euros, though, than a bit more comfort for 30 minutes or so. You do have to be very cautious not to get pickpocketed, as that will obviously drain all savings from choosing the cheap transport method.

travlsolo2

re luggage -- I'll have just one carry-on size bag and a small shoulder bag, so schlepping it shouldn't be a problem; I'll just have to make sure I know which line to take, and to watch for pickpockets. I think I can do it.

TimS

Since you're traveling light and have been on the metro before, you should be able to do it again with ease.

francophile03

In reference to WillTravel's comments, no, it won't cost you 30 to 40 euro from Gare du Nord to the 7th district. I think WillTravel is referring to the cost from CDG airport instead. The taxi cost could be about 10 euro or so plus cost of luggage.

WillTravel

Oh yes, thanks francophile, I was mixed up.

suec1

Some of the metro stations are much more "luggage friendly" than others. Sometimes there are demonstrations on the streets of Paris that make it impossible for the taxis to get you where you want to go. At times I have taken the metro and wished I'd paid for a taxi then other times I've taken a taxi and sat and sat in the traffic. One time an elderly man told me he would help me buy a metro ticket from the vending machine - I was sure he was out to scam me. Ahhhh the joys of travel, but who would want to just stay at home! Bon voyage!

RonZ

You can also take the Roissy Bus to Opera and then line 8 of the Metro direct to Ecole Militaire.

Robespierre

You can also get a much more scenic ride by taking the N° 42 bus from just outside Gare du Nord (on the east side at the rear) to the Alma-Marceau stop, stay right there and take the N° 80 to Rue de Grenelle.

Get on here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...&loc=quartiers

Change buses here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...&loc=quartiers

Get off here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...&loc=quartiers

Robespierre

RonZ, OP would have to ride from Gare du Nord out to CDG to do that. I think that route is sub-optimal.

travlsolo2

Thanks, all. I've looked at that #42 bus route; looks interesting. Instead of changing buses, maybe I could walk from Quai Branly/Avenue Rapp corner? Great maps, Robespierre!

Robespierre

If you want to get a little closer, you could alight at Rapp/Bourdonnais (just after the bus turns onto the Champ de Mars).

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...&loc=quartiers

All the maps of the neighborhoods are here:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/plan_telech_quartiers.php

Robespierre

Maps of individual bus routes are here:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/tous_p...hp?partenaire=

You will find N° 42 in the first pull-down menu.

travlsolo2

I LOVE maps! It looks like if I take the metro (line 4) I'd change to 8 at Strasbourg Saint-Denis and get off at Ecole Militaire.
Will study all of these and likely decide while on the train from Brugge. Only 50 more days!

Robespierre

I hardly use the Métro any more. I can get almost anywhere just as fast on a bus - usually faster if an underground transfer is required - plus being in a tunnel precludes the possibility of jumping off if I see something intriguing.

Robespierre

Okay - the mother lode of RATP maps is here:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php

Note that many maps come up as .gif, but you can get the .pdf by clicking Ouvrir ce plan en PDF in the upper left corner.

travlsolo2

You're right; I'd love to get comfortable taking the buses, and these maps should help a lot! I am planning to take the #69 bus to the cemetery for sure. That seems to be a scenic route.
Thank you so much!

travlsolo2

Robespierre -- thank you so much for suggesting the #42 bus from Gare du Nord; I did that and loved it! The "scenic route" on the bus is fun! I also did the #69 bus to the cemetery; worked perfectly! Didn't use the metro at all; walked and used the bus.

Christina

Just so you aren't surprised, you can pay a lot more than 10 euro to get from Gare du Nord to the 7th by taxi. I've paid 25 euro or so from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse in the middle of the day due to traffic.