We will be arriving at the TGV station in Paris mid-afternoon on a Sunday in June. Our hotel is located on Rue Andre Gill, Paris 18eme. Unfortunately, we will be arriving at the Paris de l'Est station, not the Paris du Nord station, which would be closer to the hotel. Do I understand correctly that the two stations are about ten minutes apart by bus? I believe we can take the Metro #5 bus somewhere close to Rue Andre Gill. Does anyone know for sure if this is correct? Are the information booths at the train station non-French speaking "friendly"? We'll have luggage, and a child with us, so walking far is not an option. Are taxis not a good idea for this distance? We need a safe, short, efficient route. Thank you very much, in advance.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
First, some clarifications: 1. You can walk between Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord in less than ten minutes. 2. Line 5 is not a bus. It is one of the two metro (subway) lines that run between the stations. The direction metro trains are running is indicated by the station at the end of the line. Take metro line 4 (direction: Porte de Clignancourt) two stops from Gare de l'Est to Barbes-Rochechouart. Transfer to metro line 2 (direction: Porte Dauphine) and take it two stops to Pigalle. According to viamichelin.com, it's a 3-minute walk from there to rue Andre Gill.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Liebchen, I think you will find the following 2 websites useful. tomsguidetoparis.com parisbytrain.com
Posted by
OP
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
15 posts
Thank you, Norma and Tim, for your wonderfully useful info! I appreciate the weblinks, Norma. The one from the guy who wrote the info originally for his wife (Tom's guide) is very useful/practical. You can tell he really knows what he's talking about. Our next decision will be whether or not to try one of the "hop on/hop off" tour buses in Paris. My son really wants to see the main landmarks there, and we can't walk a lot. I'm thinking the tour bus will be our best bet. Thank you again!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
For a less expensive option to the tour bus, you could go for a ride on Bus No. 42 or 69, and it will cost you only one bus ticket for each. Each bus route passes many of the major sites. Admittedly, you can't get on and off (well, you can, but you have to pay another ticket to get back on) but to just sight-see and to rest your feet it works well. You can pick up the 42 at Gare du Nord behind the station. You can get on the 69 at Champs de Mars after you have visited the Tour Eiffel.