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Help with Paris transportation

DeniseM

DeniseM

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How do I get from the Eurostar station - Paris Gare Du Nord to 9 rue de la Michodiere in Paris?

(Literally, how - taxi? subway? I haven't a clue!) :eek:
 
I think this website should help: http://www.ratp.info/touristes/



Aankomst : 9 Rue de la Michodiere PARIS-02EME

Datum :22/03/2009
*Vertrektijd 09h25
Aankomsttijd 09h40
Reistijd : 15 mn

Sorry, forgot to change language but you can do that on the website.

A taxi may be more comfortable though
 
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What a great website!

Denise if you can get a copy of the Paris metro map online that will help make it more clear. You won't need to speak French, but a few words will help you to navigate.
If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, I know the system and can help a bit.
If you have minimal luggage that you can manueuver, then using the metro will be fine. Don't take a taxi, save the money for food :)
 
If you decide to take a taxi, I suggest printing a copy of the name, address and map of the hotel for the driver. Some taxi drivers speak very little english so it sometimes helps to see it in written form.

[Link removed at request of linked-to site owner - mg]
 
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Wow, this is perfect - and wonderfully timely. Just yesterday I found a great arifare and one frequently flyer ticket to match itineraries. Matched with my Hilton points from many, many nights in hotels, I've got a wonderful trip upcoming. Now I need to figure out what to see and do.

Suggestions on the highlights for a first, one week trip to Paris are very much appreciated. We'll be staying near the Arc de Triomphe.

What is the best way to get there from CDG airport? What passes/discounts, etc. would you experienced travelers suggest?

Thanks,
Sue
 
Denise,

Also check out www.subwaynavigator.com

Click on the links for Paris.

Unfortunately, their server happens to be temporarily down as I type this.

Very helpful site for figuring out subway navigation in major cities of the world.


Richard
 
Airport Transfer

There is bus that goes from CDG directly to Air France on Champs Elysees . That would probably be the easiest and least costly method of getting to your hotel. It would then only be a short walk, cab ride or metro trip from Air France to the hotel.

I'm so jealous - I adore Paris. Make certain to walk across the Seine and stroll the 5ieme, 6ieme et 7ieme arrondissements, also Le Marais.

Many tourists never make it off the Champs Elysees, Rue de Rivoli and Tour Eiffel areas.

And be certain to do dinner one night near Notre Dame. There are many restaurants nearby where you can take in the beautiful nighttime scene.

Enjoy and Bon Voyage!
 
Thanks everyone - it looks like the #42 bus will be our best option. Thanks to everyone who responded! :hi:
 
falmouth3 said:
Wow, this is perfect - and wonderfully timely. Just yesterday I found a great arifare and one frequently flyer ticket to match itineraries. Matched with my Hilton points from many, many nights in hotels, I've got a wonderful trip upcoming. Now I need to figure out what to see and do.

Suggestions on the highlights for a first, one week trip to Paris are very much appreciated. We'll be staying near the Arc de Triomphe.

What is the best way to get there from CDG airport? What passes/discounts, etc. would you experienced travelers suggest?

Thanks,
Sue
Click to expand...

I always take a taxi from the airport or train station.

There is so much to see and do. It really depends on your personal preferences since you only have a week.

Our two favorite guidebooks -
(1) Rick Steves Paris - http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Paris-2009/dp/159880121X/
Amazon allows you to view select pages inside the book - http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/159880121X/ref=sib_dp_ptu#reader-link
Rick Steves' book does a very good job in covering all of the major sights and offer very helpful tips to save you time and money. We use Rick Steve advice on which days to visit which museums.
One of Rick Steves' tips is the Paris Museum Pass. We love museums & churches, so we always pick up the Paris museum pass to bypass the lines - http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/musees_liste_nom.php. For example, the Lourve museum is overwhelming. You can't see it all in a day. We normally plan half day trips focusing on a different section with each visit. Many Paris sites offer English language tours and/or audio guides.
NOTE: A lot of information from Rick Steves' book can be found on his website - http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/france_menu.htm
(2) Eyewitness Paris - http://www.amazon.com/Paris-EYEWITNESS-TRAVEL-GUIDE-illier/dp/075661547X/
Amazon allows you to view select pages inside the book - http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/075661547X/ref=sib_dp_ptu#reader-link
The EyeWitness book offers a visual journey. I also find their guidebooks very helpful in deciding what I want to see and do. Their Paris books also has detailed street map in the back.

The two main bus tour companies are
(a) Paris Cityrama - http://www.pariscityrama.com/
(b) Paris Vision - http://en.parisvision.com/
We've booked their tours while we were in Paris sometimes via the hotel concierge or directly at their office in Paris. We haven't noticed any difference between the two bus tour companies.

Recommended Day Trips
These day trips can be taken with the bus tour companies listed above however if you're up to it, I suggest doing these on your own. It's less expensive and you're not rushed. You can stay as long as you like. Rick Steves book tell you how to get there.
IMPORTANT TIP: Read Rick Steves’ section on "Transportation Connections" especially "Train Tips".
(i) Palaces - Fontainebleau & Versailles (arrive early to avoid long lines; suggest taking the onsite tours; If you have to pick one, I would pick Versailles)
(ii) Giverny - if you want to see Claude Monet's gardens
(iii) Chartres Cathedral - if you're into churches
 
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Don't forget the cost-savings with buying a Metro pass, a museum & tourist sites pass (I forget the name of it, but you can buy it for 3, 5 or 7 days at any major site or museum), and make sure to check out the Batobus for a unique way to enjoy the Parisian vistas from your perch on the Seine. :cool:
 
Carol C said:
Don't forget the cost-savings with buying a Metro pass, a museum & tourist sites pass (I forget the name of it, but you can buy it for 3, 5 or 7 days at any major site or museum), and make sure to check out the Batobus for a unique way to enjoy the Parisian vistas from your perch on the Seine. :cool:
Click to expand...

I think you're thinking of the Paris Viste passes - http://www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php?langue=en&rub=decouvrir&cat=paris-visite&page=presentation.
We bought these during our first visit however after reading Rick Steves' comments (see below), we've been buying our metro tickets separately and using the Museum Passes.
From this webpage - http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/metro.htm
One ticket (€1.50) takes you anywhere in the system with unlimited transfers. Tickets are also good on the RER suburban trains and on city buses, although one ticket cannot be used as a transfer between subway and bus. To save 25 percent, buy a carnet (kar-nay) of 10 tickets for €11.10 (that's €1.11 per ticket — €0.39 cheaper than single tickets). It's less expensive for kids (ages 4–10 pay €5.50 for a carnet). Big Métro stations have staffed ticket windows, but at smaller stations you need to buy tickets at machines.

The transit system has introduced a new chip-card, called the Passe Navigo Découverte, but for most tourists, carnets are still the better deal. The new Passe costs €21.50, runs Monday–Sunday (expires on Sun, even if you buy it on Fri), and requires a photo, which means it's not shareable. In contrast, two 10-packs of carnets — enough for most travelers staying a week — cost €22.50, are shareable, and don't expire until they're used.

The overpriced Paris Visite passes were designed for tourists and offer minor reductions at minor sights (1 day/€9, 2 days/€14, 3 days/€19, 5 days/€28), but you'll get a better value with a cheaper carnet of 10 tickets or a Passe Navigo Découverte.
Click to expand...
 
For anyone looking for a private tour (a bit more expensive), I would highly recommend Barbara Pasquet James from ParisTalk.com. We did the Montmartre tour with her last year. Here's the link to her site - http://www.paristalks.com/about/about.html
 
Thanks for all the tips, please keep them coming.

Is Versailles a do-able day trip? If yes, how would you recommend going? Take a tour, take public transportation?

Sue
 
radmoo said:
There is bus that goes from CDG directly to Air France on Champs Elysees . That would probably be the easiest and least costly method of getting to your hotel. It would then only be a short walk, cab ride or metro trip from Air France to the hotel.
Click to expand...


I believe this is the link to the shuttle discussed above. It is stops directly across the street from the Le Meridien.

http://shuttle-paris.tourpackagers.com/detail1.aspx?ID=2

When we were at the Paris Hilton, they reserved a shared van for the two of us to get back to the airport. It cost about the same price as the Airfrance shuttle but was more convenient.
 
falmouth3 said:
Is Versailles a do-able day trip? If yes, how would you recommend going? Take a tour, take public transportation?

Sue
Click to expand...

Take the train. Versailles is an easy train ride and is a short walk from the station. Versailles was one of the highlights of our trip. Try the "crepe cafe" (I think it may be "le carre aux crepes") for lunch on the way back to the train station.
 
We spent 2 weeks in Paris last summer and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. One disappointment was the city ho-on hop-off bus tour. I usually find these a good orientation when arriving in a city, but the one we took was awful. The headphones were painful and the sound quality terrible, so we really gained nothing from the experience. I am sorry, I don't remember which company it was, but definitely do your research first if you do intend on a tour! :mad:
We were very pleased with the museum Pass. We bought the 6(?) day and really enjoyed the freedom that gave. The Louvre and musee D'orsay are overwhelming and it was great to be able to break our visits in to manageable time periods. We also visited many museums that we might not otherwise have done so, and were pleasantly surprised.
Some other experiences that we enjoyed - a Segway tour ,a visit to the Arab Institute, a day trip to the Normandy beaches and Mont St. Michel. :)
Wishing everyone bon voyages!
 
Also - try putting this in your google search box:

"paris" site:tugbbs.com
 
I disagree with Rick Steves in one situation with the Paris Visite card. It is valid for the fare on the RER train in from the airport, which is more expensive than a regular metro fare. If you are using the Paris Visite on a Paris layover rather than a longer stay, as I often like to do to break up longer trips, it can be good value.
 
Hs anyone done day trips to the wine country and/or Normandy form Paris. If so did you take a guided tour, drive, or take a train.
 
howard said:
Hs anyone done day trips to the wine country and/or Normandy form Paris. If so did you take a guided tour, drive, or take a train.
Click to expand...

Normandy and the Bourdeaux region are not practical day trips from Paris IMHO, given the length of the trip and all there is to see both places, even if you left at the crack of dawn and returned late.
 
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