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Best way from CDG to Gare Montparnasse to Chartres

I am a 71 year old woman travelling alone on a tour starting in Chartes, France in June. My flight arrives at CDG Paris at 7:45am, no checked bags. Do I purchase transportation to Gare Montparnasse before I leave USA or at the airport, and what time? What carrier (Air France bus?) Also, should I buy my train ticket to Chartres from Gare Montparnasse when I arrive there or before leaving USA? What time since I do not need to be in Chartres until after 3 pm? Perhaps there is another route and carrier to Chartres from the airport. I prefer to pre-purchase transportation if I know the times of departure which are best.

Thank you,
Rosie

Posted by
6502 posts

I'd suggest taking Le Bus Direct, line 4, from the CDG terminal to Gare Montparnasse. There's one every half hour, and the trip takes about 75 minutes. It stops at Gare de Lyon on the way. The one-way fare is 17 euros, bought in advance on the website. You can print the ticket. It appears to be good for a year, you don't need a reservation so you don't have to worry if the flight is late or passport control takes awhile.

Most likely you'll be at Gare Montparnasse well before noon. Check the departure board for the trains to Chartres, which are frequent and take about an hour. Buy your ticket at the window, you don't need a reservation and you won't save with advance purchase. I don't know whether the station has a checked-bag facility, but if it does you could leave your carry-on there.

Then you have time for a nearby café lunch and maybe a stroll to the nearby Rue Daguerre market, or a visit to nearby Montparnasse Cemetery, or a quick trip up the nearby Montparnasse Tower to see the city (including the taller Eiffel Tower) from above. Get back to the station and the right track in time to make your train, and voila!

It would cost a little less, and could be a little faster, to transfer between CDG and Gare Montparnasse by RER "B" and Metro (see "Paris by Train" from the station link above). But I'd go for the convenience of the bus. Even a carry-on bag would make the rail option harder, and there's a pickpocket risk as well.

Posted by
4 posts

That's great, didn't know for sure how to do it. Glad to have time for lunch and the Tower. I really appreciate your information, thanks.
Rosie

Posted by
9570 posts

Just another vote to underline Dick's very good advice. The few extra euros for the Air France bus (now called Le Bus Direct) are well worth it -- - especially the route #4 goes directly to your destination (it makes one interim stop at the Gare de Lyon, so wait for the terminus to get off!). It's much more comfortable, much less hassle, and much more secure than the RER.

http://en.lebusdirect.com/

Posted by
4 posts

Wonderful advice everyone, I want to have lunch outside Gare Montparnasse since this is my only stop in Paris.

Thanks,
Rosie