Paris / Gare Du Nord /Metro
Oct 2, 2014, 11:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 999
Paris / Gare Du Nord /Metro
I just wanted to reflect after 20 / 30 trips from London to Paris in the last few months on how grateful I am for the service TfL provide and maybe I don't mind higher ticket prices.
Gare Du Nord
- queues are horrendous, Taxi's, ticket machines that work, ticket offices (which are open), cash points. Every sensible means of escape from the station when you don't have a ticket is blocked by a huge slow moving queue.
- most ticket machines won't accept my post office platinum card or any other foreign cards, none of them accept cash and some ticket windows won't accept cash either
Metro / RER
- the stations and trains stink. I found out why after witnessing a gentleman urinate in the corner of an RER train. Who needs toilets when you can use the train?
- I have had entire Carnet's of tickets just stop working and had to queue in yet more massive queues to get them exchanged. "do not keep them near anything" I was told by one official (now that I have perfected my electro magnet matter encapsulater, I should be fine)
- many people appear not to pay for the train and jump over the barrier or tailgate people who have
I cannot even begin to count the number of ticket trauma's I have had at Gare Du Nord and La Defense. Despite my frustrations with their ailing transport system, which includes a free, underground, moving urinal
, I still love the city of Paris and will miss it when I finish this project. Especially my runs from La Defense to Arc de Triomphe.
Gare Du Nord
- queues are horrendous, Taxi's, ticket machines that work, ticket offices (which are open), cash points. Every sensible means of escape from the station when you don't have a ticket is blocked by a huge slow moving queue.
- most ticket machines won't accept my post office platinum card or any other foreign cards, none of them accept cash and some ticket windows won't accept cash either
Metro / RER
- the stations and trains stink. I found out why after witnessing a gentleman urinate in the corner of an RER train. Who needs toilets when you can use the train?
- I have had entire Carnet's of tickets just stop working and had to queue in yet more massive queues to get them exchanged. "do not keep them near anything" I was told by one official (now that I have perfected my electro magnet matter encapsulater, I should be fine)
- many people appear not to pay for the train and jump over the barrier or tailgate people who have
I cannot even begin to count the number of ticket trauma's I have had at Gare Du Nord and La Defense. Despite my frustrations with their ailing transport system, which includes a free, underground, moving urinal
, I still love the city of Paris and will miss it when I finish this project. Especially my runs from La Defense to Arc de Triomphe.
Oct 3, 2014, 2:51 am
#3
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
I feel your pain... I'm also in Paris Monday to Friday (we should have a beer!). I get the Eurostar, and then the RER B down to Robinson.
The trains don't seem to have any particular timetable (same with the busses). The equivalent of the TfL app gives a route and a time, but that just seems to be fixed, so bares no resemblance to reality. You can be waiting 30 minutes for a bus that's supposed to run every 8-15 minutes.
I started getting a taxi, but the taxi drivers are so useless I gave up. The last one ignored my pleas to stop at the hotel I wanted and just followed his SatNav. 20 minutes later we turned into a quiet residential street with the SatNav proudly announcing that we'd arrived. "Hotel not here!" said the driver.
You also get charged for waiting/travelling time in taxis. I got one from the office that already had €23 on the clock
Nothing seems to work, or get fixed. The hotel lift was out of service for 3 weeks. The toilets in the office have had no soap for a week. Everything about it has me proclaiming "Bloody France!!!!".
The most surprising thing for me though is how nice the French people are
I'd heard all sorts of horror stories, but they've been great - especially as I speak absolutely no French.
The trains don't seem to have any particular timetable (same with the busses). The equivalent of the TfL app gives a route and a time, but that just seems to be fixed, so bares no resemblance to reality. You can be waiting 30 minutes for a bus that's supposed to run every 8-15 minutes.
I started getting a taxi, but the taxi drivers are so useless I gave up. The last one ignored my pleas to stop at the hotel I wanted and just followed his SatNav. 20 minutes later we turned into a quiet residential street with the SatNav proudly announcing that we'd arrived. "Hotel not here!" said the driver.
You also get charged for waiting/travelling time in taxis. I got one from the office that already had €23 on the clock
Nothing seems to work, or get fixed. The hotel lift was out of service for 3 weeks. The toilets in the office have had no soap for a week. Everything about it has me proclaiming "Bloody France!!!!".
The most surprising thing for me though is how nice the French people are
I'd heard all sorts of horror stories, but they've been great - especially as I speak absolutely no French.
Oct 3, 2014, 4:24 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
The timetable/reality thing seems to be Paris rather than France - I've found that in Lille, the printed timetables and online journey planner are both pretty much spot on with what happens.
Not everything is perfect in Lille though, for example a lot of the routes have different weekday timetables for school holidays and term time, but only a handful of the bus stops list what the term dates are...
Not everything is perfect in Lille though, for example a lot of the routes have different weekday timetables for school holidays and term time, but only a handful of the bus stops list what the term dates are...
Oct 3, 2014, 6:24 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: 8 mm lifetime,1K, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 86
Pick pockets
I might add to be extremely vigilant about pickpockets at du Nord!
They hang by the exit s and newcomers often get confused on the taxi pick up and drop off locations. Saw a grab and run scheme there
They hang by the exit s and newcomers often get confused on the taxi pick up and drop off locations. Saw a grab and run scheme there
Oct 5, 2014, 12:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
The timetable/reality thing seems to be Paris rather than France - I've found that in Lille, the printed timetables and online journey planner are both pretty much spot on with what happens.
Not everything is perfect in Lille though, for example a lot of the routes have different weekday timetables for school holidays and term time, but only a handful of the bus stops list what the term dates are...
Not everything is perfect in Lille though, for example a lot of the routes have different weekday timetables for school holidays and term time, but only a handful of the bus stops list what the term dates are...
Oct 5, 2014, 2:36 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Landry's President's Club, Marriott Silver, Awesomeness EXPLT
Posts: 20,417
I feel your pain... I'm also in Paris Monday to Friday (we should have a beer!). I get the Eurostar, and then the RER B down to Robinson.
The trains don't seem to have any particular timetable (same with the busses). The equivalent of the TfL app gives a route and a time, but that just seems to be fixed, so bares no resemblance to reality. You can be waiting 30 minutes for a bus that's supposed to run every 8-15 minutes.
I started getting a taxi, but the taxi drivers are so useless I gave up. The last one ignored my pleas to stop at the hotel I wanted and just followed his SatNav. 20 minutes later we turned into a quiet residential street with the SatNav proudly announcing that we'd arrived. "Hotel not here!" said the driver.
You also get charged for waiting/travelling time in taxis. I got one from the office that already had €23 on the clock
Nothing seems to work, or get fixed. The hotel lift was out of service for 3 weeks. The toilets in the office have had no soap for a week. Everything about it has me proclaiming "Bloody France!!!!".
The most surprising thing for me though is how nice the French people are I'd heard all sorts of horror stories, but they've been great - especially as I speak absolutely no French.
The trains don't seem to have any particular timetable (same with the busses). The equivalent of the TfL app gives a route and a time, but that just seems to be fixed, so bares no resemblance to reality. You can be waiting 30 minutes for a bus that's supposed to run every 8-15 minutes.
I started getting a taxi, but the taxi drivers are so useless I gave up. The last one ignored my pleas to stop at the hotel I wanted and just followed his SatNav. 20 minutes later we turned into a quiet residential street with the SatNav proudly announcing that we'd arrived. "Hotel not here!" said the driver.
You also get charged for waiting/travelling time in taxis. I got one from the office that already had €23 on the clock
Nothing seems to work, or get fixed. The hotel lift was out of service for 3 weeks. The toilets in the office have had no soap for a week. Everything about it has me proclaiming "Bloody France!!!!".
The most surprising thing for me though is how nice the French people are
I'd heard all sorts of horror stories, but they've been great - especially as I speak absolutely no French.Cheers
Howie
Oct 7, 2014, 12:15 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
I buy a carnet of metro tickets on the Eurostar in the cafe (or even at St Pancras) to save queuing.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
Oct 7, 2014, 12:27 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: London
Programs: BA Executive Club
Posts: 999
I buy a carnet of metro tickets on the Eurostar in the cafe (or even at St Pancras) to save queuing.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
Oct 13, 2014, 3:45 pm
#10
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,613
I buy a carnet of metro tickets on the Eurostar in the cafe (or even at St Pancras) to save queuing.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
For getting around town, I have found Über works very well in Paris. The prices are competitive, drivers are polite and you can even select a minivan if there are a few of you. I just fire up the app and it works seamlessly with my UK credit card - no cash needed.
And a €65 flat rate from our office at Rue Miromesnil to CDG which is similar to what I'd pay to get out of London to LHR.
One Uber driver dropped me at the hotel. I went onto the app to check the price, and noticed he was still driving around - effectively with the meter on. I got the receipt about 10 minutes later. He probably got another €15 for that little con trick.
Oct 14, 2014, 2:47 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
Uber were just as bad as G7 in my experience. Constently getting lost.
One Uber driver dropped me at the hotel. I went onto the app to check the price, and noticed he was still driving around - effectively with the meter on. I got the receipt about 10 minutes later. He probably got another €15 for that little con trick.
One Uber driver dropped me at the hotel. I went onto the app to check the price, and noticed he was still driving around - effectively with the meter on. I got the receipt about 10 minutes later. He probably got another €15 for that little con trick.
Oct 14, 2014, 3:44 am
#12
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Same here - had a fairly low-level scam in Chennai, contacted Uber, they refunded the entire fare and gave me a small credit.
Oct 15, 2014, 2:33 am
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GVA
Programs: BA Gold, LH FTL, KL/AF Ivory
Posts: 1,878
The ticket machines at the Gare de Lyon are always all broken bar one and there's a big long line in front of it.
At the ticket counter, there's one counter open with twenty people looking over the shoulder of the one person trying to serve, instead of opening additional counters. Count 20-30 minutes to just get a metro ticket.
Oct 15, 2014, 3:41 am
#14
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
I can never reliably get them on the Eurostar. I tend to keep one ticket t+ left over from a previous trip in my travel wallet, so I can leave the ticket-buying for a quieter station...
As for zone 2 tickets, no, you can't get those on the Eurostar. I'm assuming you want to get the RER to La Défense (bear in mind that the ticket t+ are valid to all metro stations, regardless of zone).
As for zone 2 tickets, no, you can't get those on the Eurostar. I'm assuming you want to get the RER to La Défense (bear in mind that the ticket t+ are valid to all metro stations, regardless of zone).
Oct 15, 2014, 3:52 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Eurostar used to also sell metro ticket carnets from the information desk inside security at St Pancras, but I haven't tried there recently. Last time I did they had huge numbers available, loads more than on the train.
At Gare du Nord, the queues for the metro ticket machines just downstairs by where you get off the Eurostart (and most TGVs) are always bad. Your best bet is normally to walk along past those towards the RER, and when you come out into the large area there are lots more machines which rarely have a queue. IIRC you can find another ticket office somewhere round there too
At Gare du Nord, the queues for the metro ticket machines just downstairs by where you get off the Eurostart (and most TGVs) are always bad. Your best bet is normally to walk along past those towards the RER, and when you come out into the large area there are lots more machines which rarely have a queue. IIRC you can find another ticket office somewhere round there too