We arrive at CDG airport at 11:45am. If we take the RER b line to Odeon metro which is near our apartment rental, how much time should it take approximately? Also aside from the apartment rental, how much money should we have to buy a few basic groceries and a few meals out for the first two days? We'll be buying our museum pass on the third day. I don't like to carry more cash than necessary...
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
Total time will be around 30-35 minutes.
The RER B from CDG may terminate at Gare du Nord. (It did when I was there in June). If it does just go up the escalator one level to track #42. (It's still RER B). Go from Gare du Nord to St. Michel. Then, Metro Line 4 (direction Port D'Orleans) from St. Michel to Odean.
Take whatever amount of Euros you are comfortable with. If you run out, there's ATM's everywhere! You can use your bank debit card for cash withdrawals at the best exchange rate of the day! (In Paris, not at CDG) (Be sure you have a 4 digit pin, not beginning with zero). Or you can use the card for your purchases and not worry about cash.
Bon Voyage!
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
If you are asking "how many Euros to take," I think a minimum of 100 to 200 Euros will get you to your apartment. This will pay for RER tix and lunch and a few groceries. Your RER tix are good on the Metro after you arrive at St Michel. Just keep using the same tix as you pass thru turnstiles. Banks are everywhere in Paris, so you will have no problem getting more money once you get to your neighborhood.
Posted by
OP
Montréal, Canada
36 posts
I was not aware that a bank pin# for withdrawals can't begin with a 0. Does this mean I have to change pin numbers before our trip?
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
If your current pin number starts with 0, then yes you do need to change it or else it might not work in France. (Also, it must have only 4 digits)
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
My 4 digit PIN number begins with a zero and I have been using it for years in Europe with never a problem.
Posted by
Boston, MA
10 posts
I was in Paris this June and used the ATM to withdraw cash. My PIN number starts with zero and I encountered no problems.
Posted by
Paris, France
506 posts
I would suggest NOT taking line 4. The transfer from RER B to Metro 4 is a bit confusing (poorly marked at this station) at St. Michel and it is one of the busiest lines in Paris.
Instead - take the RER B to St. Michel - and go to line 10 - direction Boulogne - There are 2 long escalators and a people mover - with only one set of stairs (down) to line 10 (station is Cluny Sorbonne) to Odeon (1 stop as well).
I usually find that from arrival to deplane, immigration, baggage and transfer to the train is about 45 minutes - train will be also about 40 minutes in total (30 min RER - transfer etc)
Regarding cash - I typically keep no more than 50 euros at a given time. I use my credit cards and debit card (both American and French) quite frequently. Credit cards are accepted at the grocery stores - Monoprix, Franprix, ED etc. without hesitation.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL, USA
264 posts
Well, Jona, you may take whatever routes you like; but, for me, that underground pedestrian tunnel from St. Michel to line 10 is over a quarter of a mile long, and completely unnecessary! Good God! I only tried that way once, and I would never do it again!!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Colette,
You can probably walk from the St-Michel Notre-Dame RER station to Odeon in the same time or less than it would take you to transfer to the Metro.