Paris Ist time traveler, need heip using metro

riobad,

That should be a reasonably easy trip. This is one route you could use....

• RER "B" from CDG to Châtelet-Les-Halles
• Transfer to RER "A" (direction Marne-la-Vallée - Chessy Boissy-Saint-Léger) to Nation
• Transfer to Metro Line 9 (direction Pont de Sévres)
• Arrive at Charonne

That trip SHOULD take about 40 minutes under ideal conditions. You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent Paris By Train website as that has a LOT of good information on how to get around in Paris.

Your profile doesn't indicate where you're from, but one point to note is that you won't be able to buy tickets from the Kiosks at CDG unless you have a "Chip & PIN" credit card or Euro coins. With an older magnetic stripe card, you'll have to queue at the ticket office.

Happy travels!

Ken's route will work fine, but note that the name of the RER station is Chatelet-Les Halles. Chatelet is an adjacent Metro station.

The journey planner on the RATP (Paris Transport) website says the fastest route (54-58 minutes, depending upon connection time) is the RER B to Gare du Nord, Metro line 5 (direction: Place d'Italie) to Republique, and Metro line 9 (direction: Mairie Montreuil) to Charonne.

Also note that Chatelet is the busiest metro station in the world. Don't expect to drag luggage during peak times and have an easy time.

riobad,

To expand on Tim's comments, I've amended my reply to include the specific station name.

The station is somewhat of a "super transfer" station consisting of two different parts, Châtelet and Les-Halles. They are connected with underground passageways (which often have some very talented street musicians performing). Depending on which part you arrive at and which part you're going to, some walking may be required. There's good signage, so you shouldn't have any problems locating your connection. I've been through there with luggage, and it's not really too difficult.

Cheers!

www.parisbytrain.com has a good primer on how to use the Metro.

There is a great app available at itunes called 'Visit Paris by Metro' that I would highly recommend. Once you download it you don't need an internet connection and can put in any location (CDG) and your destination and then choose either fewest changes or fastest and it shows you how to get there. Tim's route was the winner!

Tim's route is the best by far. His times appear more realistic as well.

You don't need an app. The system has worked fine for a hundred years without one. You walk into the metro station and look at the diagram. If you forget what it says , there are at least ten more before you get to the platforms.

Thanks so much!!

I'm going to weigh in to clear up a couple of statements, even if they came from people whose advice I admire.

Either route has pros and cons. Going to Les Halles to change from the RER B to the RER A is a piece of cake. You simply either cross the same platform or go up a tiny escaltor and follow the signs about 50 feet and go down another onto the platform. You don't go anywhere near the long corridors. I commuted on those lines for years.

Second, both Republique and Nation are very large stations; you may have a short change there or a much longer one. I'm not familiar enough with the exact changes on those particular lines to tell you if it's a slog or an easy change. Third, transfering from the RER to the metro is always a little hike too, whether you do it at Gare du Nord or at Nation, as you are changing levels underground.

My personal choice, no matter what the RATP planner says, would be the two RER lines out to Nation and then the metro to Charonne.

Bets is right -- the changes are easier taking the RER to Nation and changing to the 9 there.

At Republique, it's quite a hike between the 5 and the 9. Conversely, the 9 is quite close to the RERA at Nation (and, as she mentioned, the exchange between the RERB & RERA at Chatelet-Les Halles is quite easy too.

Remember to keep your ticket handy -- you'll need it again when you arrive at Nation to exit the RER system and transfer to the 9 (you won't need an additional ticket for the 9).

I would estimate about an hour for the trip -- and hopefully it will take you a little less than that, and you can be pleasantly surprised.