If you have a story you’d like to share to help others avoid the same scam, please contact ben@parisbytrain.com.

Scam: Ticket purchase help

Where: At Metro / RER ticket vending machines, especially at Gare du Nord train station

How: Scam artist offers to help you purchase tickets using his bank card/credit card claiming that foreign cards do not work (true in some cases). After purchasing the tickets he asks you to pay him in cash for the tickets, but at an amount demanded is much higher than face value. Variations include purchasing a carnet (booklet of 10) of single use Metro or RER tickets and offering you only 1-2 tickets for the price of an entire booklet, claiming they are good for multiple use or something similar.  Scam is commonly run at Gare du Nord due to high tourist traffic coming from RER B trains from CDG Airport and Eurostar London – Paris trains, with plenty of first-time travelers to Paris.

Avoidance:

• buy tickets from a ticket window
• buy Metro/RER train tickets from ticket machines using your own bank/credit card
  • bank & credit cards with a chip, taking 4 digit PIN numbers from most countries will work fine
• politely refuse help from apparently good samaritan locals

Scam: Pick pocket teams

Where: Train car doors

How: Two-man team. One is a decoy attempting to expose your wallet.  He stays on train.  Partner picks pocket & gets off train as doors close.  I had this attempted on me on the Barcelona Metro, but the method works anywhere.  One member waits to get on train at a 45º angle in front of you (keeping you in his peripheral view).  When the train arrives and doors open, passengers exit train, then you and pickpocket move to door, he enters just ahead of you and drops something on the floor of train.  A mobile phone in pieces, coins, etc.  The point is to get your help to bend over and pick up the pieces with him, exposing your back pocket & your wallet.  His partner then picks your pocket while leaving train and walks off.  After picking up pieces, the original pickpocket stays on train and plays innocent, offering himself to be searched for your wallet.

Avoidance:

• Don’t help to pick up items dropped.
• Keep your wallet in front pants pocket.

Scam: Unregistered Taxi / Limousine Rides

Where: Near train station & airport passenger pickup stands for taxis, limousines, etc.

How: Illegal taxi or limousine offers you a ride to destination of your choice at discount or flat rate because their reserved passenger has been delayed.  After driving begins the car takes you to an unsafe neighbourhood and demands extra fee or they will eject you into the unsafe area.

Avoidance:

• Take taxis from designated taxi stand areas at train stations and airports.
• Only take taxis from reputable/recommended companies which includes:
  • Taxi G7
  • G7 Horizon
  • Alpha Taxis
  • Les Taxis Bleus
  • ABC Taxis 93

Scam: Bag Placement & Pickup

Where: Anywhere you put your hand bag down

How: When you put your handbag on floor at your feet, thief puts their bag down beside yours, stops, bends over and ties her shoes.  When done, she picks up her bag and yours and walks off.

Avoidance: when you put your purse down, put bag between your feet, not on your left or right sides of your feet.

Scam: Mobile phone theft with closing doors

Where: near train doors as they’re closing

How: As you talk or text on your mobile phone, holding it up near your face in plain view with a weak grip, the thief will wait until train is about to depart and doors are about to close.  He will grab your mobile phone from your hands and escape through the closing doors and run out of the station.

Avoidance:

• Use your mobile phone after the train doors are closed and train car is in motion (no escape route).
• Don’t text or talk on phone when the train doors are about to open or close.
• Don’t sit immediately in front of doors (minimizes distance to escape route).
• Hold onto your mobile phone like an orange (hand wrapped around it), not like a Christmas card (holding bottom edges, exposing phone, easy to grab).

Final Thoughts

Simply go about your business of arriving and leaving this station in an efficient manner and you’ll be fine.

Enjoy your trip and stay safe!

(If you have a story you’d like to share to help others avoid the same scam, please contact ben@parisbytrain.com).

Pour des instructions pas-à-pas voir Terminal 2 à Paris par le RER ou Terminal 1 à Paris par le RER.

Aperçu CDG jusqu’à Paris

Ligne => RER B (Bleu)

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

Stations d’arrivées => 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)

Coût => 9,50€ (plein tarif, tarif au 1er Janvier 2013) / 6,65€ (enfants entre 4 et 9 ans) / gratuit (enfants de moins de 4 ans)

Pass Acceptés => Paris Visite, Passe Navigo (Découverte)

Premier Train / Dernier Train CDG en direction de Paris => 04:56 / 23:56 (22:55 L-V jusqu’à juin 7, 2013)

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

Détails

A propos du RER B

Le moyen le plus rapide et le moins cher de se rendre à Paris depuis l’Aéroport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) est de prendre le RER B au départ des Terminal 2 et Terminal 3/Roissypole de CDG.

Le RER B traverse le centre de Paris du nord au sud, et s’arrête à Gare du Nord, la gare Eurostar Londres – Paris, puis à Châtelet Les Halles la “super” station de correspondance avec 4 lignes de métro et 3 lignes de RER, puis Saint Michel/Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, Cité Universitaire, et continue au sud vers l’Aéroport Orly (un changement à la station Antony pour le métro OrlyVal est nécessaire).

Les deux stations de l’Aéroport Charles de Gaulle sont nommées “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1″ et “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV”, la première étant située à proximité du Terminal 3 dans le bâtiment Roissypole et la seconde étant située entre le Terminal 2E et 2C. (Une carte de l’aéroport CDG est fournie ci-dessous).

Le premier train au départ de l’Aéroport Charles de Gaulle en direction de Paris part à 4:56 du Terminal 2, s’arrête à la station “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1″ deux minutes plus tard, puis arrive ensuite à Gare du Nord à Paris à 5:26.

Le dernier RER B à partir de l’aéroport CDG en direction de Paris part à 23:56 (mise à jour: voir l’avertissement ci-dessous), et arrive à Paris Gare du Nord à 00:26. Les horaires des RER de CDG à Paris sont les mêmes tous les jours de la semaine, y compris durant les vacances. (Pour les horaires complets, voir les horaires du RER B).

*** Avertissement! Des travaux sont en cours sur la ligne du RER B, de 2010 à juin 7, 2013 et affectent les derniers trains en soirée au départ de l’aéroport CDG en direction de Paris. Le dernier train direct au départ de l’aéroport CDG en direction de Paris part à 22:55, du lundi au vendredi (les trains du samedi et du dimanche ne sont pas affectés). Les voyageurs essayant de prendre le RER B après cet horaire seront invités à prendre une navette à la station Aéroport CDG 1 jusqu’à la station Aulnay-sous-Bois où le RER B fonctionne normalement en direction de Paris.

Se rendre à la station

Pour des instructions pas-à-pas basées sur des photos voir Guide Photo CDG Terminal 1 direction Paris ou Guide Photo CDG Terminal 2 direction Paris Photo.

Si vous atterrissez au Terminal 1 vous devrez emprunter un train-navette nommé CDGVAL pour le Terminal 3/Roissypole afin de prendre le RER. Le nom de cette station est “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1″. Ne pensez pas que le “1″ dans le nom signifie “Terminal 1″, car ce n’est pas le cas, il s’agit simplement de la première des deux stations de l’Aéroport CDG. Il vous suffit de suivre les indications pour le tram CDGVAL à l’intérieur du Terminal 1.

Pour rendre les choses plus confuses, le Terminal 3 est situé entre les Terminaux 1 et 2, donc en vous déplaçant d’ouest en est à travers les terminaux vous atteindrez le Terminal 1, puis le 3, et enfin le 2. Gardez à l’esprit que le tram CDGVAL s’arrête aux parkings entre les Terminaux 1 et 3 (Parc P-r), et Terminaux 3 et 2 (Park P-x), donc ne descendez pas trop tôt du CDGVAL. Des annonces vocales en anglais et en français sont faites à chaque arrêt pour vous guider.

Plan de l’Aéroport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) (PDF: ADP)

Si vous atterrissez au Terminal 2, gardez à l’esprit qu’il y a 7 sous-terminaux et que vous devrez vous rendre à la station située entre les sous-terminaux 2E et 2F. Il y aura de nombreux signes à travers les terminaux indiquant le RER pour Paris.

Acheter les Tickets de RER

A la station Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1, un grand atrium ouvert en béton, ou à la station du Terminal 2, un impressionnant ensemble d’escalators blancs à trois niveaux, vous trouverez de nombreuses machines automatiques vendant des tickets. Assurez-vous d’utiliser les machines bleus Billetterie Ile-de-France et non les machines jaunes SNCF TGV , étant donné que seules les machines bleues vendent les tickets que vous recherchez pour le RER B.

Il est encore plus important de noter que la plupart des cartes de crédit américaines et non-européennes (sans les puces intelligentes et sans numéros à 4 chiffres) ne fonctionnera pas avec ces machines. A la station de CDG 1 il y a un grand guichet avec 3 employés SNCF qui vendent des billets individuels pour le RER. Au Terminal 2, il y a une salle en verre foncé à carreaux au niveau inférieur, dont un côté assure la vente des billets de RER et SNCF / TGV. Si vous êtes confronté à cette pièce de verre, l’entrée sur la gauche sera pour les billets RER à Paris. L’entrée sur la droite est uniquement pour les billets à destination d’autres villes. Il y a presque toujours au moins un vendeur de billet qui parle anglais et il sera signalé par un petit drapeau britannique dans le coin de sa fenêtre. De toute façon, vous cherchez à acheter un billet pour “Paris Aller-Simple» [Poire-Ee Alleh-Som-Pleh] qui est un billet aller simple. Le prix devrait être d’environ € 9,10 pour les billets adulte et € 6,40 pour les enfants (9 ans et moins) pour les billets RER B direction Paris.

Prendre le RER

Pour la station de l’Aéroport CDG 1 la direction devrait être assez évident étant donné que le quai est visible depuis la zone des machines automatiques et vous verrez des tourniquets avec des reflets verts. Le Terminal 2 n’est pas bien pire: il suffit de suivre les panneaux qui disent «Trains en direction de Paris”. Il serait assez difficile de les manquer et tous les trains à partir de ces quais sont en direction de Paris. Vous pouvez consulter les écrans situés sur le quai pour voir tous les arrêts du RER. Les arrêts devraient inclure la Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, Saint-Michel-Notre Dame, Luxembourg, et autres. Les quatre cités ici sont ceux que la majorité des voyageurs rechercheront car ils sont tous au centre de Paris. Gare du Nord est la meilleure sortie pour ceux dont l’hôtel est situé près du Sacré Coeur / Montmartre, Châtelet les Halles pour ceux qui restent près du Louvre, Saint-Michel-Notre Dame est sur la Seine (rive gauche), et le Luxembourg est à proximité du Jardin du Luxembourg (Jardin du Luxembourg).

Pour les voyageurs qui en veulent plus, il y a des RER B «express» qui partent des deux stations. Il suffit de regarder les écrans sur le quai et de vérifier le nombre d’arrêts entre les stations de CDG et les quatre stations parisiennes centrales mentionnées ci-dessus. L’express RER B ira directement de l’Aéroport CDG 1 à Gare du Nord, sans s’arrêter à aucune station entre les deux. Le train régulier fera environ 9 arrêts entre l’aéroport CDG et Gare du Nord. Vous économiserez environ 12 minutes en prenant l’un des trains express, mais même les non-express RER B vous emmèneront à Paris (Gare du Nord) en environ 34 minutes.

Bon séjour !

Liens utiles

Disneyland Paris par le RER

Plan du RER (PDF)

RER B Train Horaires de l’Aéroport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) à Paris Gare du Nord

Horaires – Premiers et derniers trains du Métro et RER A RER B.

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

This is a step-by-step photo guide of taking RER B Paris city trains from Airport Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2 to Paris city centre. From the CDG arrivals lounge to central Paris, I’ll guide you step-by-step on how to make this transfer. If you’re arriving at Terminal 1, see the CDG Terminal 1 to Paris photo guide.  For train times, prices, maps and other details see the Overview CDG to Paris by Train article.

*** Warning! Construction along the RER B train line until August 30 2013 is affecting trains between CDG Airport and central Paris.  See the CDG to Paris by train overview article for details.

Arrival at CDG

Upon arrival at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport Terminal 2 the first thing that will happen after exiting the plane is immigration/passport control, which can be very quick depending on where you are sitting on the plane.  If you’re seated near the front of the plane and are the first to exit, you’ll be the first to go through immigration screening by French national police.  Thus you could be past immigration within 5 minutes (or 40 if you’re the last to exit a large plane).

Next you’ll collect your baggage at the carousels.  Estimate a good 30 minutes for this, nothing out of the ordinary in terms of expediency, perhaps even a little slow.

Customs control for baggage is next, which is separate from passport control and handled by customs officers near the exit of the baggage collection area.  In general the customs officers spot check passengers and only stop those who rouse their curiosity.  After this you’ll exit into an unsecured area of Charles de Gaulle Airport free to make your way to Paris or other cities via train.

If you happen to be arriving via Terminal 2G, the new Schengen (Euro Borderless Zone) terminal, you’ll need to take a shuttle bus to Terminal 2E/F in order to catch the RER train.  The shuttle buses, circulating every 4-5 minutes, can be found just outside the arrivals area of 2G.  [Thanks to Lynne P. for this updated information].

Getting to the Train Station at Terminal 2

The CDG Terminal 2 arrivals hall will look like this:

Notice the blue overhead signs? Those will point to Gare SNCF / Railway Station, Paris par Train / Paris by Train. Follow these signs to make your way to the train station located right within Terminal 2.

Here are some close-up photos of signs pointing to the CDG Terminal 2 train station:

At the end of each of the terminal buildings (there are six sub-terminals at Terminal 2: terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F) will be a large sign noting how long it will take to reach other terminals and the train station. In this photo, we see that the train station at Terminal 2 is 3 to 5 minutes walk from Terminal 2F.

Here is a map of Charles de Gaulle Airport showing the layout of CDG Terminal 2. Also visible are Terminal 3, Terminal 1 (which has its own train station) and CDGVAL shuttle train between CDG’s 3 terminals and parking structures.

(Courtesy of ADP)

The moving sidewalks between Terminal 2′s sub-terminals definitely speed up walking times:

Closer to the train station area you’ll find more signs directing you down to the station.

When you’ve arrived at the train station area, you’ll be on Level 4 of an atrium with a Sheraton hotel on one end, HSBC Bank on the other end and multiple signs pointing to the Gare/Station/Paris by Train.

Another photo of the station atrium taken on Level 3 facing the opposite direction (towards HSBC Bank, one level up). Signage is quite clear on the station location. You may wish to withdraw some Euro cash from the HSBC bank machine (visible at the top right in the below photo).  If your (non-European, non-smart-chip) credit cards don’t work with the automated ticket machines, they won’t work at the SNCF/RATP ticket windows either.  Thus you’ll need Euro cash to buy your tickets.

At the bottom of the atrium, Level 2, the actual station level you’ll have various stores and eateries on one side of the hall and a SNCF ticket purchase office on the other side.  Scattered throughout the middle of the train station are blue or green Billetterie Ile-de-France train ticket vending machines.

The SNCF ticket office is split into two halves, each selling only certain types of train tickets.  When facing the ticket office the left half sells tickets and passes for traveling within Paris and the Ile-de-France area, known as Billets Ile-de-France.

The right half deals with TGV tickets (for sale, collection, refunds and changes) for trains traveling to other cities within France, known as the Grandes Lignes.

If you’re wanting to buy a simple train ticket to Paris and you have a smart chip credit card or Euro coins, you can use the blue Billetterie vending machines to purchase such tickets. (The machines shown in this photo are from Terminal 3, but they are otherwise identical). Note that multi-day passes such as Pass Navigo or Paris Visite cards are not sold by the machines.  You must visit the ticket office to purchase passes.

Bear in mind that these machines will not work with most North American credit cards, which in general do not have smart chips nor are PIN number protected.

After buying your train tickets or passes it’s time to turn towards the train platforms which will require descending another set of escalators or stairs onto Level 1. The Paris Train platforms are marked as “Voie” (“platform”) 11 and 12 and also show “RER B Paris par Train“, the Regional Express Network trains that operate between Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Paris city centre.

This is a photo overlooking Paris bound train platforms 11 and 12 at CDG Terminal 2 Station.

On the platform itself you’ll see signs noting that all trains are going to Paris, since Aeroport Charles de Gaulle is the terminus or end-of-line station for the RER B train line.

Note that although the platform sign reads Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, this platform shown is not the TGV train platform, it’s simply the name of this station as a whole.

The TGV train platforms are located and accessed from the other side of the station.  If you’re taking a TGV train to another city besides Paris, the train platform area should look like the following:

Remember to keep your train ticket with you at all times throughout the journey.  You may be asked by a ticket controller to show a valid fare or otherwise pay a penalty fare of 35€. The tickets are also required to exit the arrival station in Paris as there will be turnstiles protecting the exits, just as they protect entrances.  Finally, your RER train ticket is also good for connections onto the Paris Metro and other RER train lines once you’ve arrived in Paris; There’s no need to purchase a separate Paris Metro/RER Ticket T+ for making connections within the city centre onto other Metro or RER trains (but not buses nor trams, which require a new ticket).

The first Paris city centre station will be Gare du Nord, requiring about 30 minutes for the voyage from Airport CDG Terminal 2.  Paris stations along the RER B line after Gare du Nord will be Chatelet Les Halles, St. Michel-Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert Rochereau and Cité Universitaire.

Resources

Gares360.com has produced a virtual photo visit of CDG Terminal 2 train station, allowing you to visually see the 5 levels of the train station.  Select the level & vantage point you wish to see on the bottom right hand corner of the screen.

The following train timetables show depature times of RER B trains leaving CDG Terminal 2 towards Paris.  (Ignore the second pages).

RER B Train Schedule (departure times) CDG Terminal 2 to Paris Mondays to Fridays (except holidays)

RER B Train Schedule (departure times) CDG Terminal 2 to Paris Saturday, Sunday and holidays

First & last trains timetable for Paris Metro and RER A / RER B trains.

*** Warning! Construction along the RER B train line until August 30 2013 is affecting trains between CDG Airport and central Paris.  See the CDG to Paris by train overview article for details.

CDG Terminal 1 to Paris

If you’re arriving at CDG Terminal 1, you’ll first need to take the CDGVAL shuttle train to Terminal 3/Roissypole (center of map) to catch the RER B train to Paris.

Follow CDGVAL signs posted throughout Terminal 1 that will look like the following:

The CDGVAL shuttle train travels from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3/Roissypole then to Terminal 2 as shown on this line map:

While on the CDGVAL shuttle, keep in mind that:

1. Terminal 3/Roissypole is the second stop which is before Terminal 2.
2. The shuttle will stop at parking garage Pr before arriving at Terminal 3/Roissypole.

Upon arrival at Terminal 3/Roissypole, you will enter a large concrete atrium show here:

When exiting the CDGVAL stop at Terminal 3/Roissypole, turn to your right and walk towards a series of blue ticket vending machines and several ticket windows behind an overhead sign for RER B “Paris par train / Paris by train”:

From here you can purchase single train tickets for Paris from the blue vending machines (Billetterie Ile-de-France) for €8,40 one way. These tickets are known as “Billets Ile-de-France“.

Keep in mind that these vending machines do not sell pass cards Pass Navigo Decouverte / Paris Visite and only take coins or smart-chip enabled credit cards. If your credit card is from North America, most likely it will not have a smart-chip and will not work with these machines.

To purchase a Pass Navigo Decouverte or Paris Visit Card (public transportation passes) you must visit the ticket window immediately in front of these machines (off to the right side of the photo, not visible). If you already have a Pass Navigo / Pass Navigo Decouverte, you can recharge your card with Navigo Semaine from the blue Billetterie machines by inserting your pass into the purple Navigo slot and following the prompts.  Beware of the purchase restriction schedule on the Pass Navigo.

After purchasing your tickets or passes, you can verify when the next RER B train is scheduled to depart CDG by checking the overhead display screens. The display screen on the right shows RER B trains “To Paris” (“Vers Paris”).

RER B trains on this screen stop at all the Paris stations regardless of the name under the Destination column. The Destination names are the terminus stations for the several RER B train line branches and are used to specify the direction each train is traveling. A complete list of departure times from Terminal 1 RER B station towards Paris is available at the bottom of this article.

Insert (and then retrieve) your ticket or scan your pass at the turnstiles and descend onto the RER B train platform. Signs will note that “Tous les trains vont à Paris” (“All trains go to Paris”).

Once the train arrives, the train doors may not open automatically. Press the small metallic or rubberized button on the door to open the train doors.

Remember to keep your ticket or passes handy as “controllers” (“ticket checkers”) frequent these trains.

Travel time to the first major Paris station: Gare du Nord, is roughly 25 minutes. Stations served after that will be Chatelet Les Halles, St. Michel-Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert Rochereau and Cité Universitaire.

If you need to transfer to a Paris Metro train or a different RER train to arrive at your final destination, you may use your ticket for making the transfer; You do not have to purchase another ticket for the Paris Metro or RER within Paris Zone 1. If you need to transfer to a bus or tram, you will need to purchase a new Ticket t+ as transfers from Metro/RER to buses/trams are not allowed.

Useful Links

CDG Airport Map

CDG to Euro Disney by TGV

The following train timetables show depature times of RER B trains leaving CDG Terminal 1 towards Paris.  (Ignore the second pages, which show Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 departure times).

RER B Train Schedule (departure times) CDG Terminal 1 to Paris Monday to Friday (except holidays)

RER B Train Schedule (departure times) CDG Terminal 1 to Paris Saturday, Sunday and holidays

First & last trains timetable for Paris Metro and RER A / RER B trains.

Line => OrlyVal + RER B (blue)

Direction => Mitry – Claye, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle

Change Trains at => Antony

First Train / Last Train to Paris => 06:00 / 23:00 (from Orly South Terminal)

Frequency => 4 to 7 minutes

Average Travel Time => 38 minutes

Cost => 11,30€ ; child 10€ (Orlyval train + Zone 4 => Zone 1)

Passes Accepted => Paris Visite 5 Zone (57,75€ /5 days)

(Prices up to date as of January 2013)

Details

The fastest transportation from Orly International Airport to central Paris is by train. After arriving at ORY, take the OrlyVal train from either Orly South (Orly Sud) or Orly West (Orly Ouest) terminal towards Paris. A change of trains is required once you arrive at the OrlyVal terminus (last) station: Antony. From Antony, take the RER B train line in the direction of Mitry-Claye, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle, which passes through central Paris stations Luxembourg (Jardin du Luxembourg), Saint Michel Notre Dame, Chatelet Les Halles, and finally Gare du Nord before leaving central Paris and continuing onto Aéroport Charles de Gaulle in Roissy.

Orly (ORY) Airport Map

Travel time between Orly South and central Paris (station Chatelet Les Halles) is at longest 40 minutes, station to station, including changing trains at Antony. The travel time from Orly South to Antony is 8 minutes. If you’re leaving from Orly West, travel time to Antony is 6 minutes. From Antony to Chatelet Les Halles station in Paris along RER B train line travel time is 25 minutes.

Keep in mind that the Pass Navigo Découverte for Paris is not valid for the OrlyVal train, even if you have the required zones (4 zone) purchased. If you have a Pass Navigo / Carte Orange with at least 4 zones purchased, it would be best to purchase a single ticket for the OrlyVal train just to Antony at a cost of 8,70€ and from there use your Passe Navigo for the RER B line to Paris. A single ticket (a billet Ile-de-France) for the entire journey between Orly and central Paris will cost 11,30€ (adult) and 10€ (children).

The cheaper option, avoiding the OrlyVal train fee altogether, would be to take the RER C line from Gare d’Austerlitz towards Massy Palaiseau getting off at station Pont de Rungis – Aeroport d’Orly and then taking the Aeroport de Paris shuttles to the Orly terminals.

• RER B + Orlyval (trains)
• Orlybus
• RER C + shuttle bus (train + bus)
• Bus 183
• Bus 285
• Bus 292
• Noctilien (bus)

RER B + Orlyval

Getting to Orly Airport (ORY) from Paris using the Orlyval train requires that you first get to Antony station along the RER B train line, then transferring to this dedicated rail line to Orly West (Ouest) and Orly South (Sud) terminals.

The RER B train line runs north south, bisecting Paris centrally, connecting both Paris airports Roissy-Charles de Gaulle to the north east and Paris-Orly directly south of the city.

Common starting stations for this trip would include Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles, St-Michel Notre Dame, Luxembourg, and Denfert-Rochereau, all located in central Paris and all very accessible by multiple Metro, RER and bus lines. Note that the RER B line (blue line on maps) stops at all of these stations along its route southbound towards Antony.

The Orlyval train is ticketed specially requiring an additional fee on top of normal Metro/RER tickets and passes. Purchasing a single one way ticket to Orly airport from any central Paris station will be 10,75€. Travelers with a 5 zone Paris Visite card can use Orlyval without any additional charges. Passe Navigo users with at least 4 zones can use this pass just until Antony station on RER B, then purchase a special ticket for Orlyval at Antony for 8,30€. (Yes, this is expensive for an 8 minute ride between Antony and Orly Sud).

The first train to Orly from Paris via RER B in direction Antony, Robinson, St-Remy-les-Chevreuse (direction for Orly airport), leaves Gare du Nord at 05:20, Chatelet Les Halles at 05:23, Saint-Michel Notre Dame at 05:25, Luxembourg at 05:27, arriving at Antony at 5:48. Just enough time to purchase tickets for Orlyval at Antony station, unless you’re using the Paris Visite card.

The Orlyval train platform is located at the north end of the Antony station. Thus, when you arrive at Antony via the RER B, walk towards the rear of the train. The Orlyval platform will be on your right hand side near the end of the station. Inside there will be multiple ticket vending machines and a manned ticket kiosk. The first Orlyval train leaves Antony at 06:00, arriving at Orly West at 06:08 and Orly South 2 minutes after that at 06:08.

The last trains to Orly from Paris via RER B leave from Gare du Nord at 22:23, Chatelet-Les Halles at 22:26, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame at 22:28, and Luxembourg at 22:30, arriving at Antony/Orlyval at 22:46. The last Orlyval train leaves Antony at 23:00.

Pros

• Fast: approx. 38 minutes from Chatelet Les Halles
• Accessible: journey can begin at several very central RER stations: Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles, St-Michel Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Denfert Rochereau
• Frequent: Orlyval train departs Antony every 4 to 7 minutes. Trains depart RER Stations every 10 minutes on average.

Cons

• Expensive: 10,75€ from any central Paris RER station (9,60€ from Antony station).
• Passes not accepted: Navigo Semaine. (Paris Visite carte 6 Zone is accepted).

Here is an official map of Orly Airport (ORY) to help guide your way upon arrival.

(Map courtesy of ADP)

(More information on bus options coming soon)

The RER C train is complicated with its 8 different terminus stations (used to denote direction of travel).

RER C Schedule – Paris to Versailles (PDF) – If you’re going from central Paris to Chateau Versailles (station Versailles-Rive Gauche), this is your schedule.

At the top of this RER C Timetable is a row for “nom du train“.  These specify the train route and can be seen on the front of the train itself as it approaches a station.  ”VICK” trains all travel to Versailles Rive Gauche, the closest station to Chateau Versailles.  ”SARA” trains do not stop at Versailles Rive Gauche.  Be sure to take VICK trains.

This RER C route travels past several central Paris stations (Gare d’Austerlitz, St Michel Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Invalides, Pont de l’Alma,  Champ de Mars/Tour Eiffel) on its way to Versailles Rive Gauche station in Versailles, the closest train station to Chateau Versailles. RER C trains making this route will be labeled with direction: “Versailles – Rive Gauche“. Be careful not to confuse this RER C train direction with “Versailles Chantiers – St Quentin en Yvelines”, which does not stop at Versailles – Rive Gauche station.  The difference is that Versailles Chantiers station is about 15 minutes walk to the Chateau as opposed to 5 minutes for Versailles Rive Gauche.

RER C Schedule – Paris to Orly Airport (ORY) and Massy TGV Station (PDF) – This schedule stars from Invalides (Army Musuem) RER C station and travels clockwise through Paris, stopping at Orsay Museum, St Michel, Gare d’Austerlitz amongst other stations before making its way to Aeroport d’Orly shuttle bus station (Pont de Rungis) and ends at Massy TGV train station. Note that the RER C does not stop directly at Orly Airport but stops at Pont de Rungis where you must transfer to a RATP bus to complete the journey to Orly Airport terminals West and South. RER C trains making this route will be labeled with direction: “Pont de Rungis – Aeroport d’Orly” or “Massy Palaiseau“.  The trains will have four letter codes (nom du train) of either ROMI or MONA both on the top of the schedule and on the front of the trains.

(Schedules courtesy of Transilien)

For travelers to and from Orly Airport, here are the first and last trains (valid thru July 2013) from Gare d’Austerlitz and Pont de Rungis station (where a bus completes the journey to the airport):

• First train from Gare d’Austerlitz to Pont de Rungis Aeroport d’Orly 05:07
• Last train from Gare d’Austerlitz to Pont de Rungis Aeroport d’Orly 00:27
• First train from Pont de Rungis Aeroport d’Orly to Gare d’Austerlitz 04:53
• Last train from Pont de Rungis Aeroport d’Orly to Gare d’Austerlitz 23:38

Popular Destinations along RER C train line in Paris

• Eiffel Tower / La Tour Eiffel
• Invalides, Napolean’s Tomb
• Orsay Museum / Musée d’Orsay
• Saint-Michel
• Notre Dame
• Austerlitz Train Station / Gare d’Austerlitz
• Library Francois Mitterand / Bibliotheque François Mitterand
• Orly Airport shuttle bus station / Pont de Rungis-Aeroport d’Orly (RER C does not connect directly to Orly Airport, shuttle buses are required from Pont de Rungis station)
• Versailles, Chateau Versailles (outside of Paris)

Links

Paris RER Map

Overview

Line => RER B (Blue)

Direction => Aéroport Charles de Gaulle / Mitry – Claye

Arrival Station => Aéroport CDG 1, Aéroport CDG 2 TGV

Cost => 9,50€ (as of January 2013, Zone 1 -> Zone 5)

Passes Accepted => Pass Navigo(5+ Zone), Paris Visite (5 Zone)

Schedule – First Train / Last Train from Paris => 04:56 / 22:44 (M-F, station Gare du Nord. 00:14 Sat/Sun/holidays. See complete first/last train schedule link at bottom for more.)

Details

The cheapest and fastest transportation to Airport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) from central Paris, is the suburban train line RER B (blue line on RER maps) at a cost of 9,50€, one way, requiring roughly 40 minutes.

Within Paris the RER B line travels from south to north, stopping at Denfert-Rocherau, up past the Luxembourg Gardens (station name: Luxembourg), St. Michel/Nôtre Dame, Châtelet Les Halles, Gare du Nord, then continues north east, making up to 9 more stops on its way to CDG Terminal 1 and 2.

The first train from Paris Gare du Nord to Airport Charles de Gaulle (CDG) leaves at 4:56am, arriving at Terminal 1 at 5:28am, Terminal 2 at 5:30am. The last train at night from Paris Gare du Nord to CDG leaves at 12:14am (past midnight) arriving at Terminal 1 at 12:47am, Terminal 2 at 12:49am. This train schedule is in effect Monday to Sunday, including holidays (every day).

Note that not all RER B line trains stop at Charles de Gaulle airport. The easiest way to determine whether the next RER B train arriving at a station goes to CDG is to look at the RER overhead station stop panels on the train platform.

If a light is lit next to “Aéroport Ch. de Gaulle 1″ or “Aeroport Ch. de Gaulle 2 – TGV”, the next train will stop at CDG airport. You’ll also be able to tell how many stops the next train will make between Paris and the Airport by counting the number of stations in between Gare du Nord (the last Parisian station) and the airport stations, Terminals 1 and 2. Obviously, the train making zero stops in between Gare du Nord and the airport will be a bit quicker, usually by about 12 minutes.

Another way to tell if the next train is going to the airport is to look at its four letter “name” and whether it starts with the letter “E”, which is marked on overhead television monitors, as well as on the front of the train. All trains with names that start with E will stop at Charles de Gaulle, for example: EKLI. If a bunch of other travelers are getting on with suitcases and look like the traveling type… more than likely you’re on the right train.

When arriving at CDG the train will make stops at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. For those getting off the train at Terminal 1, you’re in fact arriving at Terminal 3 and you’ll have to take a shuttle tram called CDGVAL to Terminal 1. Remember to take note of which side of the CDGVAL tram line to get on, as Terminal 3 is actually in between Terminals 1 and 2, so you have to pick the correct direction to go. There should be floor standing signs on the overhead walkway above the tramline to help you make your choice.

If you’re looking for the departures level, you’ll need to head to the escalators or elevators and make your way up a floor.

Bon voyage.

Links

RER Map (PDF)

RER B Train Schedule

First & last trains timetable for Paris Metro and RER A / RER B trains.

Roissybus, (Paris city bus) makes trips from CDG Airport Terminals 1, 2 or 3 to central Paris location of Opéra (corner of rue Scribe & rue Auber). Cost of Roissybus is 10,00€ and unfortunately, no reduced fare for children. (as of July 2011)

Les Cars Air France (Air France coach line) makes trips from CDG Airport Terminals 1, 2 or 3 to central Paris locations of Arc de Triomphe (Charles de Gaulle Etoile), Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon. Cost is upwards of 19€. See ParisByTrain Air France Shuttle article for more information.

Bus 351 (Paris city bus) stops to pick-up/drop off passengers at CDG Terminal 1, in between CDG Terminal 2A & Terminal 2C, in between Terminal 2B-2D, the Terminal 2 TGV train station, and Roissypole (RER B train station).  Cost for Bus 351 from CDG to Paris is three “Ticket t+” Metro tickets at 1,70€/each or 5,10€ total. Bus 351 route map CDG to east Paris.

The Roissybus bus stops at CDG Terminal 1 Door 32 for passenger pick up.  Tickets for the Roissybus can be purchased within the glass enclosed bus stop via the vending machine or from the ticket window (which may or may not be manned at the time of your arrival).  Bus tickets can also be purchased from the driver onboard.  Tickets are 10,00€ each.  No child fares are available for this method of Airport to Paris transportation.

Here is a line map for the Roissybus at CDG.  On the right you can see which doors (“porte”) this airport bus stops at to pickup passengers at Terminal 1 (Door 32), Terminal 2B & D2 at Door 11, Terminal 2A & 2C at Door 9 and Terminal 2E & 2F all along on the arrivals level road (flag the driver).

The Roissybus travels from CDG Airport directly to Paris Opéra in the 8th district (arrondissement) close to Galeries Lafayette and Boulevard Haussmann (see photo). It makes no pickups nor dropoffs between CDG and Paris.  First bus departs CDG at 6am. Last Roissy bus departs CDG at 11pm.  First Roissybus depature from Opera in direction of Airport CDG leaves at 5:45am.  Last bus from Opéra to CDG leaves at 11pm.  Passes such as the Pass Navigo Découverte, Pass Navigo, and Paris Visite (5 or 6 zone) are accepted for the Roissybus.  Ticket Mobilis day passes are not accepted.

Les Cars Air France is another bus system using coach type of buses (known as “autocar” in French, hence the name “Les Cars”).  Luggage on these buses can be stowed underneath the passenger seating area, as per normal with coach line buses.  Tickets are more expensive for Les Cars Air France of upwards of 19,00€ per person depending on which line you are taking from CDG, either Line 2 or Line 4. Child fares are half the adult price. Tickets should be purchased from the ticket offices out on the terminal roads at the terminal doors specified below. Groups of 4 or more can receive a 15% discount on their tickets.

Air France coach bus Line 2 stops at Porte Maillot at Paris’ North West corner and continues on to Arc de Triomphe/Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Les Car Air France Line 4 stops at Gare de Lyon and continues on to Gare Montparnasse.  These coach buses stop for passenger pickup at Terminal 1 at Door 34 (Porte 34), at Terminal 2B Door 6, 2D Door 6, and 2E Door 3 and 2F Door 3.