paris metro passes

Usually books of tickets. Easier and the you don't have to hit the right days for the passes.

Leslie, Just to clarify, Gare du Nord is located in Paris and not at the airport. It's the first station that the RER stops at on the route from the airport. You can also purchase RER tickets at the automated ticket Kiosks at the airport. These accept Euro coins and "chip & PIN" credit cards. The staffed ticket windows often have long queues, so the Kiosks are usually quicker. You may want to have a look at This Website for a good description about transportation from the airport into Paris by train. Cheers!

Leslie, I usually just buy a Carnet, or group of 10 tickets for the Metro. You might check your local Libraries or larger book stores, as the France and Paris Guidebooks have a good analysis of the various options for getting around Paris. Cheers!

The most cost effective pass would be a seven-day, zone 1-2 Navigo Semaine. It is good Monday-Sunday, not any seven-day period. If you like to walk, then ten-ticket carnets is the way to go. For any day you know you will take more than five rides you could buy a zone 1-2 Mobilis pass and not use your carnet tickets that day. For a list of all your ticket and pass choices with links to detailed explanations of each one, go here.

Thanks, guys, good information. I was trying to avoid the horror of waiting in line at the Garde du Nord train station at the airport to buy an RER ticket, but that seems unavoidable either way, unless anyone has a tip on how to avoid that. Last year it took me over an hour to buy my train ticket b/c I was told not to use my credit card with a chip b/c the system would not recognize it. Is this true? It worked everywhere else jsut fine.

Yes, you can avoid the lines completely! RER tickets can be purchased at any T I desk at CDG airport. No lines! Buy your ticket before you head toward the RER station! They accept Euros or any type of Visa or MC credit card.

I think the RER B stops at Bourget, the stadium, and at least a half dozen other spots before it gets to Nord.

Leslie - To add to what Ken said. There is a change machine near the ticket kiosk, that will change 10 & 20 euro notes.