Is RER safe?
Dec 15, 2008 | 6:26 am
#46
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,335
Glad to hear it worked well for you! Really, it's only a few euros more than the RER and a comfortable, simple way to get back and forth. It's especially nice to have the air conditioning when the weather is warm.
Dec 15, 2008 | 12:39 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
. Another option from Montparnasse would be AF coaches.
Dec 15, 2008 | 12:42 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SORT OF HOMELESS
Programs: 14 years AA exp, but no more; & 1MM+, QR-PLT (ow EMD) MR-LTT, HH Gold
Posts: 8,104
..... Air France runs a clean, safe bus (Line #4) every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. ...... Here's a link with info, including a map of the pick-up spot at Montparnasse (hit the link, then click at bottom on "Lines" then go to Line 4):
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/local/...rameHeight=600
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/local/...rameHeight=600
Dec 24, 2008 | 11:48 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 2,262
A US issued credit/debit card will not work in the kiosks. Save 8.40 euro coins per person and a few Metro tickets when you go home--the kiosks will take euro coins but not bills. In fact, the RER tickets lines while in Paris en route to CDG can be just as bad as outbound CDG, so save coins for both going home to the US this trip and coming back next time and you will be set.
Home tomorrow.
Home tomorrow.
Note that the kiosks at CDG do accept US issued credit/debit cards. I haven't had any problem with paying with my Visa debit and Master credit. Just used the kiosk with US credit card a few hours ago at CDG and no problem at all.
Also, I second taking limited-stop train. Another option could be Roissy Bus which drops off and picks up at L'Opera Garnier and cheaper than AF coach.
CORRECTION: After coming back from the U.S. today, I used my US issued debit card to purchase a ticket at one of the kiosks and it did not work. I used another kiosk next to it and it worked. So not all the kiosks accept US cards.
Last edited by N227UA; Dec 29, 2008 at 10:49 am
Dec 25, 2008 | 6:34 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
Posts: 3,686
I'd probably take the Roissy bus again if getting to Opera had a clear edge, but otherwise, I've found AF worth the extra Euros.
Dec 25, 2008 | 3:01 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,335
I gave up on the Roissy bus as they made no useful provision for luggage-it all goes on the bus, unlike AF which stows it under the bus. As a result, some passengers keep it in the aisle near them and everyone climbs over everyone else. The last Roissy bus I was on, a gal took her seat in row 1 and left her big bag in the aisle for all to circumnavigate. The driver did nothing.
I'd probably take the Roissy bus again if getting to Opera had a clear edge, but otherwise, I've found AF worth the extra Euros.
I'd probably take the Roissy bus again if getting to Opera had a clear edge, but otherwise, I've found AF worth the extra Euros.
Dec 25, 2008 | 3:31 pm
#52
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,512
.
Dec 26, 2008 | 2:32 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
Jumping on the thread to ask why the RER B was so messed up today (12/16). We waited for almost 45 minutes for a train at Terminal 3, and then it ended its run at Gare du Nord, and turned back to CDG. The train was PACKED with people, all of whom got off at GDN, and were then trying to figure out how to find the RER B that would continue their journey. We bailed and got a #4 Metro to St. Michel, and that was also packed almost beyond tolerance. The worst I've ever seen on the RER/Metro.
Dec 26, 2008 | 3:18 pm
#54
Moderator: Flying Blue (Air France & KLM), France and TravelBuzz!
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Paris, France, AF F+ Rouge pour toujours, Flying Blue whatever, LH FTL, HHonors Gold, formerly proud SCC Executive, now IC Ambassador, BA down to nobody, Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 12,512
Jumping on the thread to ask why the RER B was so messed up today (12/16). We waited for almost 45 minutes for a train at Terminal 3, and then it ended its run at Gare du Nord, and turned back to CDG. The train was PACKED with people, all of whom got off at GDN, and were then trying to figure out how to find the RER B that would continue their journey. We bailed and got a #4 Metro to St. Michel, and that was also packed almost beyond tolerance. The worst I've ever seen on the RER/Metro.
Dec 26, 2008 | 4:28 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,335
Irregular, small in scope SNCF strikes that target some suburban lines. When they impact RER line B, the interconnection at Gare du Nord between the Northern part, operated by SNCF, and the Southern part, operated by RATP, is suspended. Trains arriving from the North then arrive at the main part of Gare du Nord, on street level, rather than at the underground station, where the tracks go on South on the RATP network.
Dec 27, 2008 | 1:26 am
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
Wow! Are the RER travel updates posted online somewhere? I surfed the web for awhile yesterday and couldn't find anything. Now I'm thinking of bailing for my trip back to CDG on the 4th and just taking a taxi instead!
Dec 27, 2008 | 2:12 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,335
http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...ic/trafic-jour
http://www.abcdtrains.com/
All are in French only and usually give you the current status rather than advance notice of upcoming situations.
RER B seems to be running normally today.
Dec 27, 2008 | 9:22 am
#58
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EP 3MM, UA Silver, Bonvoy LT TIT, Hyatt Explorist, HH Silver, Caesars PLT
Posts: 7,259
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/trafic.php
http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...ic/trafic-jour
http://www.abcdtrains.com/
All are in French only and usually give you the current status rather than advance notice of upcoming situations.
RER B seems to be running normally today.
http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...ic/trafic-jour
http://www.abcdtrains.com/
All are in French only and usually give you the current status rather than advance notice of upcoming situations.
RER B seems to be running normally today.
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/
Dec 29, 2008 | 10:33 am
#59
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: OMA
Programs: UA
Posts: 342
The RATP has its own police force that regularly patrols the more traffic lines especially RER B to and from CDG.
Dec 30, 2008 | 1:59 am
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,934
Worked for me as well. I arrived about 40c short for the two tickets we neeeded in cash, so even went and bought a candy bar to get some change. Then I thought "Try the credit card first". I got out all 3, put in the debit/Master Card first and bingo, it worked. It certainly has no chip either. I think this is the first time the CCs have worked in similar ticket machines in France, so who knows.
Last edited by milepig; Dec 30, 2008 at 7:56 am