We are thinking of using Paris as a homebase and taking several day trips. The day trips we're considering are (1) to Versailles (RER train?); (2) to Paris Disney (RER train?); (3) to D-Day beaches and surrounding area in Normandy by train; (4) to Brussels (using Thalys?); and possibly (5) to Luxembourg (using TGV?). We will also need to get from our hotel in the 7 arrondissement to CDG and back (probably by RER and metro). We will be in Paris a total of 10 days, so the remaining days, we will be exploring the city by walking and by metro. I'm trying to figure out if we should get France/Benelux railpasses, France railpasses (and then by point to point tickets at the borders of Belgium and Lux), or just go w/point-to-point tickets all the way. Do train passes cover the RER trains as well as the other trains? What would you suggest? As far as the metro, I think we can figure that out as it gets closer to the trip as it will depend on how often we will take it as opposed to how much we will just walk. We don't have kids, so this will be just two adults travelling. Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated! I'm confusing myself trying to research it. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
9 posts
Great, thanks for the help!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
RER C to Versailles-Rive Gauche.
RER A to Marne-la-Vallee - Chessy.
SNCF trains.
Thalys trains.
TGVs.
A Benelux-France pass would work for you, but some of the trains you would take require seat reservations. For TGVs the price is only 3-4 euro, but for Thalys trains the passholder fare starts at 26 EUR. While standard fare tickets on Thalys are quite high, if you book well in advance on the Thalys site, you can get a Smoove fare as low as 25 EUR for Paris-Brussels. The same is true for TGVs. For example, the standard 2nd class fare for Paris-Luxembourg is 75.90 EUR, but booking on the SNCF site can get you a discount fare as low as 25.00 EUR.
If you need flexibility, then a railpass is a good choice because standard fares on high-speed trains are not cheap. However, if you can commit well in advance to specific departure dates and times to take advantage of discount fares, then point-to-point tickets probably will be cheaper than a pass plus reservation fees. Fares on regional trains in France are pretty reasonable.
Since the section of the RER B between CDG and Gare du Nord is operated by SNCF, a pass is good on that section, BUT ONLY FROM CDG TO GARE DU NORD, NOT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. Unless you're taking longer train rides that day, don't waste a pass day on that section. The fare from anywhere in central Paris to CDG by metro and RER is 8.70 EUR.
To do justice to Normandy you should plan to to spend at least one night in the area. Because of that and because Paris itself has so much to offer, I strongly recommend that you cut at least one day trip. Two would be better.
Posted by
OP
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
9 posts
Thanks Tim - I was thinking of cutting the Luxembourg day trip anyway, so that's probably what we'll do.
Posted by
Provo, UT
175 posts
You didn't ask this exactly...but I'm going to offer an opinion anyway.
One other thing to consider is that hotels in Paris are more expensive than in other regions. Relocating once or twice might be worth it to avoid the rush back to the train station, and will afford you some different night experiences. If you travel light and take trains, relocating is actually not as obnoxious as it sounds, and it saves you the return travel time. On my last trip, we stayed in 4 different cities and it was wonderful. I felt like it maximized our time well.
If you opt to do that, you could focus more time on two main locations, such as Paris and Belgium. You could still do side trips from Paris to Normandy and Versailles and then spend several days seeing the Brussels area and maybe visiting Luxembourg from there. You might feel like you have more time in another place that way.
Posted by
OP
Baton Rouge, LA, USA
9 posts
Thanks Becca - that's a good idea.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
For a page listing all your Paris transportation ticket and pass choices, with links to detailed explanations of each one, go here.