Hi everyone!
I am taking my parents (72 years old), to Paris for a week, and am planning to visit Chartres.
I want to book tickets on the RER via the SCNF website, but need to be sure of the toilet situation. :-)
WC's on the train?
And what about the train to Versailles? I am guessing not, as it is a shorter distance. Just don't want to get caught out with the parentals.
There are toilets on the TER train but not on the RER.
Make sure to keep some euro coins 10, 20, 50, cent and the 1 and 2 euro coins; you will need them to use the WC's at the train stations and other public places besides restaurants or cafes.
You cannot count on toilets being open on trains. We discovered this when heading to Avalon/Fontainbleau and running to catch the train didn't stop at the head first thinking that of course there would be facilities on the train and then at the station in Avon. There were neither. The toilets on the train were all locked and the station had no restroom. I was eyeing the woods when my husband spotted a cafe a few blocks from the station where we were able to use their facilities in exchange for a quick cup of coffee for him.
Always use the facilities at the station just in case. The street booth restrooms in Paris are free; most other public restrooms require a small payment if staffed; you can always use the facilities in cafes, but are expected to buy something.
Sorry. I see in my topic I wrote TER, but said RER in the message. I do mean TER train.
I want to book tickets on the RER via the SCNF website
Both RER (Suburban/commuter network), and TER (a catch all for anything that isn't High Speed or a commuter service) are local trains. There is no "booking". You just buy a ticket. You can do this on the day at the station.
It is TGV (High Speed Trains) where you have to book in advance and get a reserved seat. In this case big discounts for advance purchase
The train to Versailles is RER - no toilets. TER and TGV do have toilets.
I agree about not trusting the toilets on the train. I have had to get off in an emergency well before my stop when all the train toilets were locked
Not related to the toilet situation, but I just wanted to point out that
- you don't need to book the train ticket
- if you are visiting Chartres during the validity period of a Navigo Découverte pass, you only need to buy ticket from Rambouillet to Chartres and back to Rambouillet. The leg from Paris to Rambouillet is covered by the Navigo.
