Hi Ben, we are staying at Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile on June 6th. The nearest metro station is Neuilly-Porte Maillot, what is the best route to get to Versailles? From Google map, it is telling us to take the metro yellow line 1 to La Defense train station, then transfer to the suburban train purple line L. Do we need to buy a ticket from one train station to another station? We know that the regular metro ticket only covers metro, bus, and RER train. We are just confused about how to use the intercity train line. Thanks Ben!!!
1 answer
Yes you're correct, you'll need a station-to-station ticket for Porte Maillot to Versailles Rive Droite. The ticket window agent at Porte Maillot Metro station will be able to print you that specific ticket (or if you're adventurous you can try creating it yourself using the automated ticket machines). Officially these tickets are called "billet origine-destination" as they specify exactly which stations they're meant for. You can ask the ticket (or machine) for "aller-retour" and they'll print you two, one for going there and one for coming back.
Once you have this ticket you'll use it throughout your journey, both on Metro line 1 and for your transfer at La Défense over to the Transilien train section. You'll likely need to use your ticket for the transfer inside La Défense, to open the gates to the Transilien section, (unless they've made some rearrangments recently).
You'll need to look for and make your way to the Transilien L platform and wait for an L train that stops at La Défense and is destined for terminus of Versailles Rive Droite. (Some express trains will not stop at La Défense, so just wait till one does.) The overhead displays on the platform will mark which stations & terminus the next train will service. There are 3 terminus stations for Transilien L so you want to make sure you board a Versailles Rive Droite bound train on that platform. Again, just watch the overhead displays and it'll show you where it's going. Here's a line map of Transilien L and you'll see on the right side the three terminus stations.
Hang onto your validated ticket until you exit the gates at Versailles Rive Droite and you're on the street. The ticket is needed to open the exit gates. After that you can dispose of the spent ticket so you don't mix it up.
Let me know if anything is unclear. :)