We are arriving Paris through Orly rather than our usual CDG. I'm sure Orly must have train, metro or RoissyBus sort of operation available, but we have no access to a printer and trying to read RER tables on a tiny screen is just too much for us old folks. Appreciate the help; we are stranded in Berlin because of DB strike which just happened to be timed to a two week break for the school children, so we were happy to find a flight at all amongst all the Germans trying to reorganize their plans. We had to cancel our plans to see Cologne before getting to Paris and are flying into Paris tomorrow to be sure we are there to catch our plane back to the States on Tuesday. Between being so sick I have seen absolutely nothing of Berlin beyond our hosts' guest bedroom and then the strike and expense of unexpected plane tickets, it has not been a good end to an otherwise wonderful three weeks.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32738 posts
Faith
I'm sorry that you have had such a rough time.
I don't have the answers for you as I've never used Orly.
There was a recent thread in June at https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/from-orly-into-paris which appears to have what you need.
Good luck and I hope the last couple of days of your trip are memorable for all the right reasons.
Posted by
OP
San Pedro, CA, USA
186 posts
Thank you, Nigel, that got me pointed in the right direction. This is what I see, if anyone has a comment or correction I'd love to hear it.
1. Orlyval automated train towards Paris, exiting at end of line (Antony)
2. RER B direction Mitry-Claye/CDG
3. We would exit the RER at Chatelet Les Halles, which appears to have a connection to Line 1 Metro to take us all the way to Vincennes
Would appreciate input on best sort of train/metro pass to buy. We are both so sick that we will not venture in to Paris on Monday. So once we get to where we are going on Sunday, we won't be back on the metro and/or train again until Tuesday.
Posted by
Green Bay
20074 posts
An alternate would be to take the Orly Bus to Denfert-Rochereau. Then take the No 6 Metro to Nation and change to the No 1 Metro there. I know the change at Chatelet-Les Halles involves a lot of walking underground with luggage in the busiest maze in Paris. Not to mention all the ne'er-do-wells I hear tell of hanging out. Info here
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32738 posts
or if you are really under the weather, how about a taxi?
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Yes, be kind to yourself and take a taxi. You need it and you deserve it.
Posted by
Paris
9562 posts
Do you need to get to metro Chateau de Vincennes, or RERA Vincennes?
In either case, do consider taking a taxi as you've not been well and must be tired. Thankfully, Orly is closer to the city, and Vincennes is on the south/east side, so a taxi fare wouldn't be unreasonable, especially if you,d have to buy tickets for two persons anyway.
(One tip if you are determined to take public transport and need to go to RERA Vincennes -- that change should be relatively easy at Chatelet from the RERB, rather than being one of the long, convoluted wandering changes).
Posted by
OP
San Pedro, CA, USA
186 posts
Thank you everyone. I thought I recalled that Chatelet/Les Halles was a monster station best avoided if possible. Assuming they let us on the plane tomorrow with me hacking and dripping sweat instead of quarantining us, yes, it is probably time to throw more money at our problem and take a taxi. We were unable to find a flight on our own so broke down and plopped ourselves down in front of a travel agent who made the arrangements for us, and the bill wasn't pretty. I'll go find the address to the timeshare (we've stayed there several times and know how to get there, but not how to tell a taxi to get us there), take another giant swig of cough medicine and get myself to bed so we can start tomorrow's "adventure".
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10186 posts
I too suggest a taxi if you aren't well. Second, as Kim said the change would be RER B to RER A, not the metro. Finally, if you or anyone ever does have to change between RER A, RER B, metro 1 or 4, you are in luck. These are all at the same end of Chatelet and easy to go from one to the other. All the other metros are a schlep away from these.
Posted by
OP
San Pedro, CA, USA
186 posts
OMG you guys, thank you for "giving me permission" to take a taxi! That has got to be the best 40 euros ever spent!! I looked at my watch at 2:45 to time the ride, and by the time I looked at it again it was 3:30 as we were headed out the door of the hotel to try to find some fruit and juice. Hubby has just been informed that there will be no schlepping luggage on the metro on Tuesday either. CDG is about 20 minutes further away than Orly according to the desk clerk, so I've put 100 euros aside to cover taxi and emergencies. Now we are off to an early bed hoping that the bottle of wine the hotel gave us in honor of our 29th wedding anniversary today looks better to us tomorrow -- tonight it's cough syrup shooters!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32738 posts
I'm glad you got there safe and sound, Faith.
I'm just now getting over whatever caused me to miss work this week and use up plenty of cough drops and syrup. I'm sure you will be on the mend soon too.
Posted by
Paris
9562 posts
Faith -- I'm so sorry that this trip has been marred by illness for you. I admire your ability to keep your sense of humor and your adaptability. I hope you're able to enjoy your anniversary wine today and have an easy trip out to CDG and get home and get some REST.
Happy 29th anniversary!