September 2008

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Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Eurostar Station

September 12, 2008 in Eurostar, Schedules

The RER B Paris city train travels from CDG Airport (Paris–Charles de Gaulle) to the Eurostar train station in Paris, Gare du Nord, in 30-35 minutes. Please note that there is no Eurostar train station at Charles de Gaulle Airport. All Eurostar Paris to London trains depart from Paris–Gare du Nord station, also known as simply “Paris Nord“.

There are two RER train stations at CDG Airport, one serving Terminal 1 and 3 (see the Terminal 1 to Paris photo guide for detailed instructions), another for Terminal 2 (see the Terminal 2 to Paris photo guide). Both stations will have RER trains going to the Eurostar station in Paris: Gare du Nord.

Tickets for the RER train from CDG to the Eurostar station are 9,50€ (as of January 2013), purchasable at both CDG train stations, either from ticket vending machines or ticket windows. These tickets are simply “To Paris”; there is no special ticket nor price for CDG to Eurostar station at Gare du Nord, which is within central Paris in the 10th arrondissement.

The first train leaves CDG Terminal 2 station at 4:56, arriving at Gare du Nord/Eurostar station at 5:20. Frequency of trains varies from 7 to 15 minutes between trains for the better part of the day.

The last train leaves CDG at 23:55 arriving at the Eurostar station at 00:25. (See first/last trains for Paris Metro & RER, PDF format).

See the RER B schedule article for a full timetable of trains from CDG to Paris, paying particular attention to the stop “Gare du Nord”, which is the station for Eurostar Paris to London trains.

Information on buying cheap Eurostar tickets.

Information on taking the Paris-London Eurostar at Gare du Nord.

Eurostar Timetable London to Paris Train

September 12, 2008 in Eurostar, Schedules

The first Eurostar train departing London from St Pancras International Station leaves at 05:25, arriving at Paris Gare du Nord at 08:50. Note that there is a one hour time difference between London and Paris.

Last train from London to Paris leaves St Pancras at 20:05, arriving at 23:26.

On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, the last train leaves London at 20:35 (8:35pm).

Tips on finding discount Eurostar tickets.

See the full schedule of Eurostar London to Paris trains:

Upon arriving in Paris at Gare du Nord, the Eurostar arrival station, you can take Metro (Tube/Subway) trains direct from there to elsewhere in the city.

Information on the Metro in Paris.

Information on Metro ticket, the Ticket t+.

Information on using Metro ticket vending machines.

If you’re traveling to another city outside of Paris, but within the Ile-de-France region, you can buy train tickets, known as Billet Ile-de-France, from a different style ticket vending machine, a Billetterie Ile-de-France.

Timetable Eurostar Paris to London

September 12, 2008 in Eurostar, Schedules

The arrival and departures timetable for Eurostar Paris to London train has the earliest departure/first train leaving Paris at 6:43 arriving at 07:58. The journey time is 2 hours 15 minutes with a 1 hour time zone difference between Paris and London, London being earlier at Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Paris at GMT+1. Trains leave from Gare du Nord in Paris. More information on taking Eurostar from Paris to London.

On Saturdays and Sundays the first Paris to London Eurostar train departs at 07:13 arriving in London at 08:28.

Last train train leaving Paris departs at 21:13 (9:13pm) arriving at London St Pancras at 22:34 with a stop at Ebbsfleet 20 minutes before that (don’t get off the train too early).

Tips on finding discount Eurostar tickets.

Here is a full timetable of train trains departing Paris Nord station arriving at London St Pancras:

Map Paris Wheelchair Reduced Mobility Accessibility – Metro RER Bus Tram

September 8, 2008 in Maps

Here is an accessibility map of Paris Metro, RER, Bus, Tram lines, stops and stations for those with reduced mobility, specifically for those in a wheelchair.

There are roughly 50 Metro/RER stations within central Paris that have elevators and accessibility for wheelchairs. The stations listed on this map are the reduced mobility accessible stations. Although the stations themselves will be accessible, very few Metro / RER lines have roll-on accessibility for the train itself. Metro Line 14 and RER E have complete roll-on / roll-off access for wheelchairs right onto the trains and all station stops are accessible by elevator. The other Metro lines that have accessibility up until the train itself include Metro Lines 1, 2, and 13. The RER B train, popular for its CDG Airport to Paris route, has complete accessibility only at Gare du Nord.

Paris Metro Wheelchair Access Map Station Index Screenshot On the left hand side of the map, half-way down, is an index of Metro, RER and Train stations (“Index des gares et stations accessibles”). Listed here are station names (ex. Auber), the type of train served: Metro (subway), RER (suburban train / express subway), or Train (intercity train), which lines are served (RER A, Metro Line 14, etc.) and whether wheelchairs can roll-on/roll-off unassisted onto the train cars. A red asterisk beside the train type and line means wheelchairs cannot roll onto trains and will need assistance at that point. Only Metro Line 14 and RER E are fully accessible by wheelchairs at all stations and onto the trains themselves. All other trains will require help from staff or other passengers to lift chairs onto train cars. In general Parisien travelers are very willing to help those with reduced mobility ascend and descend trains so don’t hesitate to ask or make gestures to such effect.

The map also shows wheelchair accessible Paris Bus lines along with bus stops that have specifically designed ramps for ease of access. Buses along these lines will have the ability to kneel and deploy a ramp for wheelchair roll-on/roll-off access. Bus stops that specifically do not have accessible ramps will be marked with a caution sign (yellow triangle with exclamation point).

The trams within Paris, Tram 2 skirting the western edge of Paris and Tram 3 running east-west along the southern edge, are fully wheelchair accessible with ramps on all stops and very small gaps in between train and ramp at stops.

Intercity trains such as TGV, Ter, and Transilien at the major Paris train stations (“gares” such as Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord) most often have a step or two at car doors in order to board the trains, thus wheelchair travelers will require assistance for boarding.

Reduced Mobility

For travelers with reduced mobility, but not confined to a wheelchair, certain stations feature long connections requiring a good deal of walking or stair climbing which may be best to avoid. Unfortunately it’s not possible to simply classify stations as mobility friendly or not since different connections to different lines within the same station will require different amounts of walking and stairs. Some connections may require only seconds of walking while others will require ten or more minutes.

Nearly all stations feature escalators, but there are often small sets of stairs which are present throughout the Metro for traversing over or under connecting lines.

One way to get an idea of walking distance when making connections is by using the a Metro Route Planner and observing the walking time provided in the results (when transferring from one line to another within a station). From the time required to walk from one train platform to a connecting one you can estimate the distance and the level of mobility require to make the connection.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Paris by Train

September 4, 2008 in Airport, Attractions, Charles de Gaulle (CDG), RER, RER B

This is an overview of how to travel from CDG Airport to Central Paris by city train (RER B). For instructions in the opposite direction see Paris to Airport CDG by Train.

For step-by-step photo instructions see Terminal 2 to Paris by train or Terminal 1 to Paris by train.

CDG to Paris Overview

Line => RER B (Blue)

Direction => Paris (Robinson, Antony, St-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse)

Arrival Stations => Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, St Michel/Nôtre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, Cité Universitaire

Ticket => “Billet Ile-de-France” Aéroport CDG – Paris (Zone 5 -> Zone 1)

Cost => 9,50€ (full fare, as of January 2013) / 6,65€ (children 4 – 9) / free (children under 4)

Passes Accepted => Paris Visite, Passe Navigo (Découverte)

First Train / Last RER B Train CDG to Paris => 04:56 / 23:56 (Last trains at 22:55 M-F until June 7 2013. See below for details.)

Photo Guides: Terminal 1 to Paris, Terminal 2 to Paris

Details

About the RER B Train

The quickest & least expensive way to get to Paris from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport is by taking the RER B suburban city train leaving from either CDG Terminal 2 or Terminal 3/Roissypole.

The RER B train line runs north-south through the centre of Paris, stopping at Gare du Nord, the London to Paris Eurostar station, then at Châtelet Les Halles the “super” exchange station with 4 metro lines and 3 RER lines available, then Saint Michel/Nôtre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, Cité Universitaire, and continues south towards Orly Airport (requiring a transfer onto the OrlyVal metro at station Antony).

The two train stations at Charles de Gaulle Airport are named “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1” and “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV“, the first being located near Terminal 3 in the Roissypole building and the second located between Terminal 2E and 2C. (A map of CDG airport is provided below).

The first train leaving Charles de Gaulle Airport towards Paris departs at 4:56am from Terminal 2, stops at “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1” station two minutes later, and then reaches Gare du Nord in Paris at 5:26am.

The last RER B train leaving airport CDG for Paris departs at 11:56pm just before midnight (update: see warning below), arriving at Paris Gare du Nord at 12:26am. This train schedule from CDG to Paris is the same every day of the week, including holidays. (For a complete timetable, see the schedule of RER B trains).

*** Warning! Construction along the RER B train line until August 30 2013 is affecting late evening trains leaving CDG Airport to Paris. From June 10, 2013 till July 12, 11:03pm is the last direct train leaving CDG Airport for Paris, Monday to Friday (Saturday, Sunday, holiday trains are unaffected). From July 15 to August 30, 2013, the last train leaving CDG Terminal 2 will depart even earlier, at 10:01pm. And finally, August 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 2013 there will be no RER B CDG to Paris train service. Travelers attempting to take the RER B train on these days (or in the evenings mentioned above) will be directed to take the CDGVal airport terminal train to Roissypole/Terminal 1 RER train station and then take a shuttle bus to La Plaine Stade de France station where the RER B train is operating as usual to Paris. See the official RER B train line interruption notice (in French) with a calendar of dates affected.

For normal first and last train times see this timetable of first/last Paris Metro and RER A and RER B trains.

Getting to the Train Station

For step-by-step photo based instructions see either CDG Terminal 1 to Paris Photo Guide or CDG Terminal 2 to Paris Photo Guide.

If you’re landing at Terminal 1 you’ll have to take a shuttle train called CDGVAL to Terminal 3/Roissypole in order to catch the RER train. The name of this station is “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1“. Don’t mistake the “1″ in the name as meaning “Terminal 1″, it doesn’t, it’s simply the first of the two train stations at CDG Airport. Just follow the signs for the CDGVAL tram within Terminal 1.

To make things more confusing, Terminal 3 is located between Terminals 1 and 2, so traveling from west to east across terminals you’ll hit Terminal 1, then 3, then 2. Keep in mind that the CDGVAL tram stops at parking stations in between Terminals 1 and 3 (Parc P-r), and Terminals 3 and 2 (Park P-x), so don’t get off CDGVAL too early. There will be voice announcements at each stop in French and English to help guide you.

Map of (CDG) Charles de Gaulle Airport (PDF – Courtesy of ADP)

If you’re landing at Terminal 2, keep in mind that there are 7 sub-terminals and you must make your way to the train station which is located between sub-terminals 2E and 2F. There will be numerous signs through the terminals pointing towards the Paris RER train.

Buying Train Tickets

At either the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 train station, a large open concrete atrium, or Terminal 2 train station, a white, triple level, escalator extravaganza, you’ll find plenty of ticket vending machines. Be sure to use the Billetterie Ile-de-France blue box machines and not the yellow SNCF TGV vending machines, as only the blue box machines sell tickets for the RER B line that you’re after.

Even more important to note is that American and most other non-European credit cards (without smart chips and without 4 digit pin numbers) will not work with these machines. At the CDG 1 station there is a large ticket window with 3 SNCF employees that will be selling individual tickets for the RER. At Terminal 2 there is a dark glass paned room on the bottom floor, off to one side that will be selling RER tickets and SNCF/TGV tickets. If you’re facing this glass room, the entry on the left will be for RER tickets to Paris. The entry on the right is only for tickets to other cities. Almost always there will be at least one ticket seller that speaks English and it will be noted by a little British flag on the corner of his or her window. Either way, you’re looking to buy a ticket for “Paris Aller-Simple” [Pear-Ee Alleh-Som-pleh] which is a one way ticket. The price should be roughly €9,50 for adult tickets and €6,40 for children (9 and under) RER B train tickets to Paris.

Boarding the Train

For Aéroport CDG 1 station it should be pretty obvious where the platform is as you can see it from the ticket machine areas and you’ll see turnstiles with green lights on them. Terminal 2 is not much worse: simply follow the signs that say “Trains to Paris”. It’ll be quite difficult to miss and all trains from these platforms travel to Paris. You can view the television screens while on the platform to see all the stops the train will make. The stops should include Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, St. Michel-Nôtre Dame, Luxembourg, and others. The four mentioned here are the ones that the majority of travelers will be looking for as they’re all in central Paris. Gare du Nord is best for those going to a hotel near Sacré Coeur/Montmarte, Châtelet les Halles for those staying near the Louvre, St. Michel-Nôtre Dame is across the Seine (the Left Bank), and Luxembourg being near the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens).

For those extra keen travelers, there are “express” RER B trains that leave from both train stations. Simply look at the television screens on the platform and note how many stops are between CDG train stations and the four central Paris stations mentioned above. The express RER B train will go directly from Aéroport CDG 1 to Gare du Nord, without stopping at any stations in between. The regular train will make about 9 stops in between CDG Airport and Gare du Nord. You’ll save roughly 12 minutes by taking one of the express trains, but even the non-express RER B will get you to Paris (Gare du Nord) in about 34 minutes.

Enjoy your stay!

Useful Links

Disneyland Paris by RER Train

RER Map (PDF)

RER B Train Schedule Airport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Paris Gare du Nord

Comment Aller Paris à Disneyland® RER

September 1, 2008 in Attractions, Eurostar, RER, Schedules

(Click here for English)

Cet article explique comment aller de Paris à Disneyland® Paris par train RER A. Si vous allez au Parc Disney en provenance de l’Aéroport Charles de Gaulle, vous pouvez prendre un TGV direct de CDG à Disney (Marne la Vallée) ou d’abord prendre le train RER B à Paris puis à la station Châtelet Les Halles effectuer une correspondance au RER A en direction de Marne La Vallée.

Présentation

Fiche Horaire RER A direction Marne La Vallée

Ligne => RER A

Direction => Marne La Vallée (RER A4)

En provenance de => Charles de Gaulle – Etoile, Auber, Châtelet Les Halles, Gare de Lyon, Nation

Destination => Marne La Vallée–Chessy

Prix => 7,30€ (Zone 1 – Zone 5)

Titres de Transports Acceptés => Carte Paris Visite (5 Zone), Pass Navigo ou Pass Navigo Découverte (5 Zone), Ticket Mobilis (5 Zone)

Durée du trajet => 39-45 minutes

Premier et Dernier Départ => 05:22 / 00:39

Fréquence de Passage => environ chaque 15 min. (entre 9 et 30 minutes entre les trains)

Détails

Stations RER

Les trains RER A en direction de Disneyland Paris partent du centre de Paris toute la journée avec un fréquence de passage d’environ 15 minutes. Les trains partent des cinq grands stations RER: Charles de Gaulle – Etoile (à l’Arc de Triomphe), Auber (aux Galeries Lafayette), Châtelet Les Halles (le plus grand station souterrain du monde), Gare de Lyon (le plus grand station de train à Paris), et Nation. Pour commencer le voyage, trouver votre chemin à un des cinq stations.

Titres de Transports – RER Paris à Disneyland

Un billet Ile-de-France aller-simple du centre de Paris au Parc disney coûte 7,40€ (1 Juillet, 2011). Vous pouvez acheter ces tickets des guichets et billetteries dans n’importe quel station du Metro ou RER et l’utilise pour le voyage entier. C’est à dire que vous pouvez utiliser le même billet pour le deux Metro et RER.

Un ticket t+ pour le Metro est insuffisant pour faire ce voyage car Marne La Vallée-Chessy est localisé dans Zone 5.

Les titres de transports ci-dessous sont valable pour le voyage entre Paris et Disneyland:

Carte Paris Visite 5 zone (pas le 1-3 zone),
Pass Navigo ou Pass Navigo Découverte 1-5 zone,
Ticket Mobilis 5 Zone (forfait 1 jour)

Dans un Station RER

Commence le voyage dans n’importe quel station de RER à Paris mentionné au-dessus. Nous voudrons prendre le RER A en direction Marne La Vallée. A l’interieur d’un station RER vous trouveriez les panneaux comme ci-dessous:

Remarquez qu’il y a deux terminus dans ce direction pour le RER A: Boissy-St-Léger et Marne-la-Vallée dont nous voulons prendre Marne-la-Vallée (souvent marqué avec un petit ticket “Parc Disneyland”).

Dans quelques stations du RER comme Châtelet Les Halles et Gare de Lyon, ces panneaux vont vous diriger à un quai avec deux voie sur chaque coté. Ce n’est pas toujours evident quel coté est le bon coté pour le train que nous voulons prendre donc c’est une bonne idée de regarder les panneaux qui notent quel stations sont desservis comme ci-dessous:

Chaque station desservi au long de la ligne sera marqué sur le panneau. Si vous ne trouvez pas le station “Marne La Vallée” marqué sur le panneau, vous êtes au mauvais coté (ou voie).

Les stations sur le panneau qui sont allumés avec un carré jaune seront desservis par le prochain train. Si Marne La Vallée n’est pas allumé, attendez pour le train en suite.

Après vous êtes monté sur le train à Disneyland Paris, il faut que vous gardez votre titre de transport jusqu’à la sortie du gare à Marne La Vallée.

Quand vous êtes arrivée à Marne La Vallée vous verrez le quai ci-dessous:

Montez les escaliers ou les escalators vers la sortie pour le RER dans le gare. Utilisez votre billet dans les tourniquets pour sortir:

Après vous êtes sorti le gare vous pouvez remarquer le motif Disney du station:

Voici est une photo panoramique de Marne La Vallée avec une partie de Parc Disneyland:

Quant il est l’heure de repartir vous ferez le trajet en sens inverse. Vous pouvez acheter les billets Ile-de-France pour Paris du guichet à l’interieur de la gare. Descendez au même quai ou vous êtes arrivé. Il y aura un grand panneau qui note quel quai que vous devriez prendre pour le trajet rétour à Paris:

Liens Utiles

Profitez d’une réduction de 15% quand vous reservez en ligne – Disneyland Paris

September 2008

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Eurostar Station

Eurostar Timetable London to Paris Train

Timetable Eurostar Paris to London