Luggage on the Metro

We had no problems with our carry on bags last week going through the metro.

Thank you!! Can you give me directions? Is it one train or is there a transfer involved? Is the train far from the airport?

Take the RER line B to Les Halles or Chateles and you can change lines there to the Paris Metro. Your RER ticket is also valid on the metro.

Does your hotel have a web site? Does it give an indication of which metro station is close by?

This RER map was very helpful to us:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan_ang.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=rer&fm=gif

Dawn, The Metro has MANY STEPS, both down to the trains & then up to street level, depending the station

The turnstiles will be the least of your problem, Carrying multiple bags can really be a pain.

CDG has two RER stations, CDG 1 and CDG 2 TGV. The first serves Terminal 1 (via the CDGVAL, a free driverless shuttle train that connects all terminals) and Terminal 3. The second is right at Terminal 2. Go to www.easycdg.com for more information and maps.

Here is the route suggested by the RATP Journey Planner: Take the RER B to Gare du Nord. Transfer to Metro line 4 (direction Porte d'Orleans) and take it to Srasbourg Saint-Denis. Transfer to Metro line 8 (direction Balard) and take it to either La Tour Maubourg or Ecole Militaire (whichever is closer to your hotel).

You guys are great! Thanks so much for all the help! Don't worry, we only take one carry on bag with us, so multiple bags isn't usually an issue. If you really want the sick truth about it, about half way through our trip, we love to go to the local laundry mat! We have a great time trying to figure out soap, money and machines and it gives us an excellent opportunity to meet the locals on their turf. I don't know if that's up there with throwing away your old, ratty, dirty clothes or not but it sure makes for fun memories. I'd rather take the subway than a taxi anytime, so the information provided here has been very worthwhile. Kudos, Everyone.

Hi Dawn, You'll be glad to know that there is a coin operated laundry just at the end of Rue Cler. Walk down thw street and turn left, there it is. I don't know if you can leave your clothes with an attendant-a great time and effort saver-but you will not have to search for one. Bon Voyage!

Thank you! I am very happy to hear there's a laundy nearby. A few years back we were in Brussels and did laundry on a very nasty and rainy day. There was a tiny grocery nearby run by a man from a middle eastern country (which one escapes me right now) and he was so wonderful when we stopped in for a snack and something to drink. He gave us the real skinny on the neighborhood and really seemed to get a kick out of the fact that we were just hanging out doing laundry. There was a flea market taking place outside a laundry in Ireland and that was a fun day, too! I don't know, do you think the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the Notra Dame can live up to the local laundry? We'll see!

You sound like someone who'd be a delight to travel with! I love someone who enjoys the simple pleasures of laundry. I have no doubts that you (and everyone around you) will have a wonderful trip.

I would be careful. Last time, my friend who lived in Paris his whole life was helping me get my American-ized suitcase through the doors, one of the locals helped him push it since it got stuck. One pat of his front pocket, and his entire wallet was gone. Don't let anyone help you. This has happened to 3 of my other friends.

Carry-on width luggage will pass (just) through the turnstiles in the Metro. If your bag is on your back it is no trouble. If you are using a small cart, as I was this year, the turnstile is barely wide enough to get through. There are special wider gates near the turnstiles that Metro personnel will open if you ask. People with baby strollers and wide luggage can get through that way.