Landing in CDG

Chad - Getting through customs depends on how many flights are landing the same time as you. Plan on 1 hr(if it takes less think of it as a bonus). There is an RER station by terminal 2, fare is about 8.60 euro. This will allow you to ride on the RER and metro. Where abouts in Paris is your final destination? You can use this link to figure your route from CDG to ??? www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en. Happy travels. *** edit *** Yes I've used this site, that's how I got to where I stayed in the Rue Cler last summer.

Rue Cler I have you used that site their interactive map is helpful.

Chad, You'll Take the RER B from CDG to Gare du Nord. From Gard du Nord take Metro Line 4 to Strasbourg Saint Denis(direction Port d'Orleans). From Strasbourg Saint Denis take the Metro Line 8 to Ecole Militaire(direction Ballard). This will put you in the Rue Cler area. One other option is to google the address you are staying and look for the closest Metro station. *** EDIT *** You can also take the RER B From CDG to St Micheal-Norte Dame(direction Robinson/Saint Remy). Then take the RER C to Invalides(direction Versallies-Rive Gauche). From Invalides take the Metro Line 8 to Ecole Militaire(direction Ballard).

Getting through customs takes no time at all. It is passport control that is time consuming, depending on how many flights from N. America have landed same time as you. There are 2 separate lines, one for EU passport holders and one for everyone else, so the "everyone else" line can be very long.

Chad, once you're at the CDG train ticket counters you'll see two lines - one to your left ('blue'), and one to your right ('red'). UNLESS something has changed (and I doubt it) you want in the left-side ticket line. You can buy your RER AND carnet there...IF you have enough euro coins, you can also use one of the automatic ticket machines just outside of the ticket counters...There's a change machine located there, too, but I've never seen it working :-(...I highly recommend the website ParisByTrain.com - there are beaucoup photos of everything you'll encounter...very helpful. Lots of info, too, no matter how familiar one is with Paris and the airports...

Chad, I'd also recommend having a look at the * parisbytrain.com * website, as it provides a lot of very good information, including photos. I've found it to be VERY accurate, although the distances seem a bit longer when you're actually walking the route. A few points to note - your RER ticket is also good for the Metro to the Rue Cler area, as long as you don't exit the system. Using the automated ticket machines is usually the quickest method to obtain RER tickets, as there's often a huge queue at the ticket offices. As a previous reply mentioned, you'll need Euro COINS to use the ticket machines OR a "chip & PIN" credit card. I'd probably wait to buy a Carnet at Ecole Militaire when you arrive. The airport is going to be busy and crowded, so it will be much easier to drop your bags at the Hotel, get organized and then buy the Carnet, perhaps when you're heading out for dinner. Happy travels!

Thanks for the Paris by train site reading the directions right now. I have time to kill I have to wait for my parents to land. So I can buy tickets at the window.

Make sure you get your passport stamped at Passport Control. The agents at CDG are famous for ignoring this. If there is no stamp and you don't have the boarding pass from your arriving flight it will look like you snuck into Europe.