I just returned from a great first trip to Paris. However I had a terrible experience on the Airport train.
From the airport I witnessed someone getting on the train and then snatching a tourist’s purse as he got off at the next stop. Watch your stuff carefully. I didn’t see any more incidents on the local metro runs.
On the way back to the airport, my car was stormed by four conductors checking tickets. Most everyone had just a Paris metro ticket including my wife and I. And most everyone was written up a ticket for 20 Euros. Ignorance was no excuse and they had remote credit card machines to run your credit card. You need a ticket to leave the airport train station so why can’t it be purchased there? It seemed pretty routine to them and I felt totally taken advantage of.
Where were these conductors on the trip into Paris?
15 Responses to Beware of Paris Train to/from Airport
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thanks for the note. definitely something to look out for.
Apparently the transportation to the airport is a dilema by train or cab. Someone else advised not trying to get a cab before 10:00Am and the ticket needed back to the airport (metro ticket is not appliable) What do you suggest? Where do you purchase the ticket to the airport? It is our first trip we are staying in Marais and leaving on a Sunday morning. We obviously do not want to miss our flight. Thanks for any help and assistance. Karen
hi
im so glad to have stumbled on this site. im going to france tomorow. i have no idea how to get from cdg airport to yerres. could someone out there helpme!!!!!!!! pleaase!!!!!!
If you do take the train (RER0 to the airport, if you are going to the USA you will probably want to get off at the SECOND airport stop, not the first. Also, give some thought as to how you plan on getting your bags thru the turnstiles. Some can be tricky. The train is the quickest and cheapest way but I wouldn’t advise it on your first trip. The Cars Air France buses are good. Cabs are expensive – but also very dependable. Regards, Donerail
lol … couldn’t help smiling reading that post … I know this CDG/ Paris train line very well, and I know what you’ve been through
Here’s a little advice, for next time, or next reader/newcomer-to-be.
Yes, that train line can be dangerous, for the mere reason that it rides through Paris’ worst suburbs, the infamous Seine-Saint-Denis — call it "neuf-trois" (9-3, its zip code) if you want to be hip. Seine-Saint-Denis is to Paris what the Bronx is to NYC, South-Central to L.A. or South-Side to Chicago. A few years ago, on that same line, France was shocked by the news of the rape of an off-duty female cop in one of the cars.
That said, here’s the tip to take this train line very safely. Once you’re in CDG, waiting for the train on the platform, look at the big panels above your head, that display the list of which stations the train will stop at (the ones marked with a lit dot). You’ll notice one thing : some trains are to stop at almost every stations on this line, while other trains are going straight to Paris downtown ! Yea ! This is why you might want to wait a little bit more and hop on the one that will not stop until it reaches Paris – Gare du Nord (downtown). It is worth the wait, since the ride will then only last like 20 minutes, and will be all peaceful, with plenty of room.
As for the ticket price, it is slightly higher since an airport tax is included in the rate. This is why most transportation cards won’t work in CDG stations, with the exception of the 5-zone Paris Visite card, which I therefore recommend. And yes, there are many contrôleurs (that how they’re called) on this line, just doing their jobs by checking your ticket. In fact, they are more likely to check it on this line than on anywhere else. Because customers that take planes tend to be well-mannered, and well-off too, so it’s a rather easy job to check their tickets, and fine the ones without it, with not too much risk. Nowadays, on most lines contrôleurs check tickets with police escort and german shepherds to watch over them !
Enjoy your trip !
CRC
We used the France.com shared-shuttle for the first time in January 2004 and were delighted that the shuttle was waiting for us when we walked out the Departure level door (note – we made the mistake of looking for it on the Arrival level first, so be careful reading your instructions and the signs at the airport. Very pleasant uncrowded early morning sharing. We were really impressed when the shuttle arrived at our hotel for the return trip 5 minutes early; although the return trip filled with 8 people (some before us and two after), we arrived on schedule and were able to take of VAT inspection and mailing without issue. Other friends who used cabs a month later were amazed at the 65 euro round trip – 35 from airport/31 to return (10 percent discount if you book roundtrip)! We’ll be using it again. Regards, Karen & Tom
We used the shuttle last time too. We needed to arrive at the height of rush hour and didn’t feel like taking the RER with all of Paris. Even though we were going the "opposite" direction, the stations would have been crowded and we had luggage so we booked the shuttle for the return trip only. There were eight of us and the shuttle arrived within the "window" of time they had given us. The driver took us on every back road in Paris and we easily got to the airport in time despite the rush hour traffic. It was a great experience. We’re big fans of all things France.com!!
I am travelling to france in the next 2 weeks and I do not kno wether tickets can be brought at the airport (CDG) to travel to marseille. would i have to pre buy the tickets via the internet? any advice would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
Pep
Hi. We drive so I'm not going to be much help. However, the assumption would be that you could get the tickets at CDG. If not, you could take the RER into Paris to the train station and buy the tickets there. I'm sure that would be cheaper than buying them online.
You might want to post this question on the Paris Forum at http://www.virtualtourist.com They have dozens of people who live in Paris and travel to and from it all the time who will have an instant answer for you.
Good luck and enjoy your trip. We're headed over again in April.
Does anyone have any comments on the use of the airport shuttle service? Is it reliable? Arrival and Departure? karen
Ed: Thank you so very much. Yes, I am going to CDG Airport and your information was extremely helpful, thanks so much for taking the time. Any further information regardig what not to miss while in Paris would be great. Museums, shopping, books, art, restaurants. If thats not too tall of an order. Karen
Karen..
I read your message – question about transportation from Paris to the airport. I’m assuming that you are going to Charles de Gaulle. Take the Paris-Roissy Bus that leaves right from the American Express Office across from the Opéra. You can buy a ticket on the bus and you don’t need a reservation. They run frequently and start early in the morning (i think before or right about 6am). You just have to tell the driver which part of the Airport you want to go to (or just tell him the name of the airlines and if he’s nice he’ll help you out.) The cost is about $8.00. I suggest you don’t take the metro line out to the airport since buying the wrong ticket can get you a fine of 20 Euros if the conductors check and it’s also a quick target of pickpockets and robbers.
I hope that helps you. If I can find my brochure about the Paris-Roissy Bus Service I’ll post more info here for you within a week.
I’ve taken the bus to and from the airport and it’s a great and safe way. Good luck!
Ed
p.s. Karen.. post a note here so I know you saw the information and if you need more help.
I’m sorry you had a bad experience. The train system into Paris is a bit misleading if you don’t read about it before you go. The Metro has districts and you buy a ticket according to how far you are going. Most tourists stay in the inner district where all the museums and famous sights are. The airport (CDG) is in an outer district and costs more. If you were using a Paris Viste Pass, you had to purchase one for at least three (I think) districts to go to the airport. We purchase the center city Paris Viste and then simply buy the airport ticket separately. You are taking the RER (not the Metro) into town. You need to do this to go to Versailles also.
Bottom line: try to read a good guide book about the Paris Metro before you go so you don’t have the problem. There are guidebooks in the library if you don’t want to buy one. RATP has a good web site that is partially in English and that helps too.
Pickpockets abound in all cities. Paris is no exception. Be thankful it wasn’t you. You should keep your things in hand, preferably wrapped around you. Ladies, sling purses across your body, not just on your shoulder.
Conductors check tickets randomly. They can’t be everywhere all the time so they use the element of surprise. There are a few times and places where cheating is rampant and they zero in on those times and places. At rush hour we always see people jumping the turnstyles. Most get away with it, but some get caught. It’s kind of like speeding in this country.
As for speeding in this country, know the rules and don’t break them and you won’t get caught.
As I said, I’m sorry you had a bad experience, but you can look at it as a learning experience and know it won’t happen again. That aside, you have to admit the Metro is a very easy way to get around town.
Also, by sharing your experience here, you have probably saved a lot of people from having a similar experience. That’s a good thing!
For all of our trips to and from Paris we have used the shuttle service provided through the France.com web site. They have always been on time and very courteous. Last year the poor driver had to back down our one-way street to pick us up because of the Champs- Elysees being closed for the Paris Marathon! Our children have also used thie service and have had no complaints. Marilyn
You can buy tickets to the airport at any Metro station. Tell them you want to go to CDG and they will sell you the correct ticket. The RER is a bit more confusing than the Metro, but someone standing there waiting will surely help you. As in all cities anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings.
The Airport Blue Shuttle on this site is terrific. They pick you up right at your hotel. Highly recommended. We took it last time because we didn’t want to face the Metro/RER at rush hour.
Have a great trip!