CDG to Paris centre
 

Hi everyone,

I am travelling to Paris soon. I am thinking of taking RER B into the city. I am staying near Denfert-Rochereau, but I have trouble understanding the RER B route.

Does everyone have to leave the train at Gare du Nord, then change to different RER or metro lines? Or the RER B train goes down straight from CDG to the south?

I am also considering taking Air France Bus to Gare Montparnasse and take the metro.

Which route is better?

Thanks for any advice.

the RER B is your best option. all trains from CDG go directly to Denfert Rochereau. There are some RER going without stop to gare du nord, others stop at every station.

you'll find more info about CDG on the CDG FAQ on the AirFrance / KLM board

This line is currently on strike, as posted here. It can be a good choice though, much more comfortable than the RER but subject to city traffic conditions.

Very much subject to traffic conditions. I took the AF bus to Montparnasse in November at midday, and the trip took much, much longer than the AF bus to l'Etoile or the Roissybus to l"Opera. So even if they conclude their strike, I'd only do it if I had all the time in the world.

The RER B is the most reliable option to reach the center due to traffic conditions between CDG and Paris on rush hours.

It's especially good for you if you reside near Denfert-Rochereau which is indeed a RER B station.

If you arrive at CDG terminal 1, take the free shuttle near exit gate 20 with destination of Terminal 3 / RER.

If you arrive at CDG terminal 2, go directly to the train station which is located between terminal buildings CDG 2C-2D and 2E-2F.

RER B trains are alternatively direct (non stop until Gare du nord) or stop at every station, but the time difference is not huge : take the 1st one to come!

The Air France bus is more comfortable, but you would need about twice the time to reach Denfert-Rochereau, and had to wait at the counter to buy a subway ticket at the bus destination.

You didn't mention which hotel you are staying in , but I've stayed at the Sofitel right down the street from the Denfert-Rochereau station. It is an easy walk, if you packed light or have wheels on your luggage.

Wheels... and sneakers : the Sofitel "right down the street" is the Sofitel Montparnasse a mile away ;)
Take a cab from the train station and you are there for 5€.

Sorry, no. I am referring to the Sofitel Forum Rive Gauche, which is perhaps three blocks away from the train station at 17 Blvd St-Jacques.

Listen to the Chicagoan and save the 5€. ;)

No reason not to take the RER.
I really can't think of a quicker way to get from CDG to Denfert Rocherau.

If you manage to get a train without any stops between CDG and Gare du Nord, you should make it in 30 mins.

Thanks for all your input.

In fact I am staying in Sofitel Forum River Gauche. Anyway I can find out if a RER is going non-stop between CDG and Gare Du Nord?

I will be travelling alone, and I would prefer to get on a train that doesn't stop at the suburbs. (Though I suppose it is quite safe as I will be there on Saturday afternoon.)

There are screens in the station that list the train stops. However, you should, as indicated above, take the first train that comes because not doing so will just delay your arrival. It's not like there are express trains on another track that speed by the suburban trains. It will be perfectly safe.

Indeed take the first train.
The difference between a nonstop train CDG-central Paris (Gare du Nord) and a train stopping at all or several stations is 10-15 minutes.

There are large displays at each platform indicating at what stations where the train will stop.
If there are two trains leaving roughtly at the same time it may be worth checking which one has the fewest number of stops before Gare du Nord.
But it's really not a big deal, I just happen to know this because I travel frequently to/from CDG and I want to reduce my travel time as I spend enough time on RER-trains anyway, most people don't even know about it and have never had any problems because of it either.

Actually, the non-stop trains between CDG and Gare du Nord slow down, so the first train to leave always arrives first. The non-stop train does have the advantage of having only airline/airport staff/customers on it.

BTW, I live at the other end of the RER B line, close to Saint Remy les Chevreuse :) and the non stop train on the Northern part stops at all stations on the Southern part. So from CDG it usually takes me 1h30mn to get back to my home, while I can spend 45mn to 1 hour in the air flying back to CDG

Thank you all.

I will definitely take the RER train instead of the bus.

Have a nice day!

Paris - CDG to Sofitel Hotel Porte De Sevres
 

[FONT=Arial Black]HI- I will be visiting Paris soon and unsure the best way for myself and teenage daughter to get to this hotel without using a taxi the whole way? Any suggestions? Thanks... :) [/FONT]