ParisByTrain.com

[lagdm]

I will arrive with my dauther to CDG on Monday Nov. 17, leaving on Sunday the 23.
We wil be staying at the Marriot Rive Gauche so I think we will be using Metro everyday. We plan to go to Versailles and if possible to use metro/train to go form airpot to hotel.
We would like to purchase the Navigo Decoverte carte, it is that possible at the airpot on Monday?
Do we need to cover all areas?

Thanks a lot for your help

[ben]

Hi Lagdm,

Yes, you can purchase the Navigo Decouverte from the CDG Airport train stations. You must do so at the ticket windows as the ticket vending machines don't sell passes. Remember to bring a 2.5x2cm (tall x wide) face photo for the passes. Home print-outs work fine.

It would be most economical to purchase a 5 zone Navigo Decouverte to cover you for the week, which would cover the Paris to Versailles train trip as well. Cost will be 33€ + 5€ card fee per person. Unfortunately there is no discount for children.

Best regards,

Ben

[lagdm]

Thanks a lot ben! I think that 38 euros is a good deal for our week!
I read your article about going by bus from CDG to Paris and you said it is cover by this pass. We would be staying at Marriot Rive Gauche. What is best for us: bus or metro?
Another question. We don't know if we will have the time, but we think we may want to go to La Valle Village, an outlet mall near Disney... does our pass cover the train to go there?
Thanks again Ben, you are fantastic! What a difference to be able to plan ahead!

Best regards!

Lucia

[ben]

Hi Lucia,

Actually, the RER B stops very close to the Marriott Rive Gauche: see here on Google Maps.

When taking the RER B from CDG Airport, stay on until station Denfert-Rochereau, then you can either walk along boulevard Saint-Jacques until the hotel (about 6 minutes walk) or take Metro Line 6 direction Nation for one stop, getting off at Saint-Jacques station and you'll be steps away from the Marriott.

When you exit either the RER station or Saint-Jacques Metro station, you might have a couple easy landmarks to help point you in the right direction. Montparnasse Tower (50 odd story skyscraper) is the highest structure in Paris besides the Eiffel Tower. You want to head away from the tower along Saint-Jacques. If you can see the Marriott from the station, even easier.

La Vallée Village is right along the RER A train line that goes out to Disney. See my article on taking the RER A from Paris to Euro Disney and simply get off the train at Val d'Europe station (one before Marne La Vallée, the Disney station and end of the line).

I'm not sure if you've got incredible luck or you planned it out all perfectly but your itinerary jives perfectly with the RER train nework. Nice work!

Have fun!

Ben