Is there a direct train that does this? If not, what Paris station do we go to?
We will only be in Paris 5 days until the 29th, so what type of ticket should we buy? Navigo requires a one-week stay doesn't it?
We have iPhones, and Apple Wallet
1 answer
There's no direct Paris city train between CDG Airport and Gare d'Austerlitz, but it's a relatively easy transfer.
You'd take RER B from CDG Airport to Paris, transferring at Saint Michel-Notre Dame station to RER C train in direction (any of these will do): Juvisy / Dourdan la Foret / Pont de Rungis Aeroport d'Orly / Massy-Palaiseau. All of those RER C train directions will pass Gare d'Austerlitz and make a stop there. Double check Gare d'Austerlitz is on the "stations served" overhead display while waiting for the next RER C train at Saint Michel-Notre Dame platform. This ensures you're on the correct side of the station, waiting for the RER C traveling east bound, and that the train will actually stop at Gare d'Austerlitz.
The Navigo Week pass is still your best option, price & coverage-wise, even if you're arriving on Wednesday and it will cover you through till Sunday Sept 29th. You don't need to purchase it at the beginning of the week; Navigo Week is available for purchase up till midnight on Thursdays.
You won't be able to buy Navigo Week pass on Apple Wallet though. It requires a photo & name, which Apple Wallet is not set up to handle for transit passes. You can use the Ile-de-France Mobilites iPhone app though and that will save you the 5€ fee for a physical Navigo Decouverte card. You may not be able to complete the purchase within the app until you arrive in France/CDG airport though (there's free wifi at CDG). Others have mentioned the credit card transaction gets declined when making the purchase outside of France/overseas.