I was curious if anyone had advice on the easiest transfer from the airport to the train station. I don't speak French and have heard that the RER can be a bit dodgy.
Any suggestions would be most welcomed! Thanks.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Who told you the RER is dodgy? Not at all. Many thousands use it every day. Take the RER to Gare du Nord and it is about a 10 minute walk to Gare de l'Est. Go out the front door of the Gare du Nord and you will be on rue Dunkerque. Turn left and walk to rue d'Alsace. Turn right and walk to rue du 8 Mai 1945. You are there.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Jason,
I haven't found the RER to be "dodgy" at all. Of course, it's a good idea to be vigilant on any public transport in Europe, whether RER, Metro or Buses.
To buy a ticket for the RER, you can use either the ticket office (as described by the Paris by Train website) or one of the automated ticket Kiosks. Those will ONLY accept the newer "chip & PIN" credit cards, as well as Euro cash (I used a credit card so can't confirm the cash option).
I don't speak French either (despite my location), and don't find that to be a problem in navigating the public transport in Paris.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The fare for the RER from CDG to anywhere in central Paris is €8.50, not €18.90.
If it's pouring rain you can use your RER ticket to transfer to the Metro at Gare du Nord and go one stop to Gare de l'Est.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
James,
The RATP page on which you found a fare of 8.20 EUR is out of date. The current fares definitely are 8.50 EUR for adults and 5.95 EUR for children. And the current age range for the reduced fare for children is 4 through 9. (It reads "4 to less than 10" on the French version of the RATP site.)
Posted by
Everett, WA, United States
42 posts
The ratp page has a great trip planner. Type in where you want to go, and it will plan the trip for you.