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Beware of Paris Train to/from Airport
Submitted by DAFOHS on July 3, 2003 - 3:58pm.
I just returned from a great first trip to Paris. However I had a terrible experience on the Airport train.
From the airport I witnessed someone getting on the train and then snatching a tourist's purse as he got off at the next stop. Watch your stuff carefully. I didn't see any more incidents on the local metro runs.
On the way back to the airport, my car was stormed by four conductors checking tickets. Most everyone had just a Paris metro ticket including my wife and I. And most everyone was written up a ticket for 20 Euros. Ignorance was no excuse and they had remote credit card machines to run your credit card. You need a ticket to leave the airport train station so why can't it be purchased there? It seemed pretty routine to them and I felt totally taken advantage of.
Where were these conductors on the trip into Paris?
From the airport I witnessed someone getting on the train and then snatching a tourist's purse as he got off at the next stop. Watch your stuff carefully. I didn't see any more incidents on the local metro runs.
On the way back to the airport, my car was stormed by four conductors checking tickets. Most everyone had just a Paris metro ticket including my wife and I. And most everyone was written up a ticket for 20 Euros. Ignorance was no excuse and they had remote credit card machines to run your credit card. You need a ticket to leave the airport train station so why can't it be purchased there? It seemed pretty routine to them and I felt totally taken advantage of.
Where were these conductors on the trip into Paris?
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Here's a little advice, for next time, or next reader/newcomer-to-be.
Yes, that train line can be dangerous, for the mere reason that it rides through Paris' worst suburbs, the infamous Seine-Saint-Denis -- call it "neuf-trois" (9-3, its zip code) if you want to be hip. Seine-Saint-Denis is to Paris what the Bronx is to NYC, South-Central to L.A. or South-Side to Chicago. A few years ago, on that same line, France was shocked by the news of the rape of an off-duty female cop in one of the cars.
That said, here's the tip to take this train line very safely. Once you're in CDG, waiting for the train on the platform, look at the big panels above your head, that display the list of which stations the train will stop at (the ones marked with a lit dot). You'll notice one thing : some trains are to stop at almost every stations on this line, while other trains are going straight to Paris downtown ! Yea ! This is why you might want to wait a little bit more and hop on the one that will not stop until it reaches Paris - Gare du Nord (downtown). It is worth the wait, since the ride will then only last like 20 minutes, and will be all peaceful, with plenty of room.
As for the ticket price, it is slightly higher since an airport tax is included in the rate. This is why most transportation cards won't work in CDG stations, with the exception of the 5-zone Paris Visite card, which I therefore recommend. And yes, there are many contrôleurs (that how they're called) on this line, just doing their jobs by checking your ticket. In fact, they are more likely to check it on this line than on anywhere else. Because customers that take planes tend to be well-mannered, and well-off too, so it's a rather easy job to check their tickets, and fine the ones without it, with not too much risk. Nowadays, on most lines contrôleurs check tickets with police escort and german shepherds to watch over them !
Enjoy your trip !
CRC
The Airport Blue Shuttle on this site is terrific. They pick you up right at your hotel. Highly recommended. We took it last time because we didn't want to face the Metro/RER at rush hour.
Have a great trip!
Bottom line: try to read a good guide book about the Paris Metro before you go so you don't have the problem. There are guidebooks in the library if you don't want to buy one. RATP has a good web site that is partially in English and that helps too.
Pickpockets abound in all cities. Paris is no exception. Be thankful it wasn't you. You should keep your things in hand, preferably wrapped around you. Ladies, sling purses across your body, not just on your shoulder.
Conductors check tickets randomly. They can't be everywhere all the time so they use the element of surprise. There are a few times and places where cheating is rampant and they zero in on those times and places. At rush hour we always see people jumping the turnstyles. Most get away with it, but some get caught. It's kind of like speeding in this country.
As for speeding in this country, know the rules and don't break them and you won't get caught.
As I said, I'm sorry you had a bad experience, but you can look at it as a learning experience and know it won't happen again. That aside, you have to admit the Metro is a very easy way to get around town.
Also, by sharing your experience here, you have probably saved a lot of people from having a similar experience. That's a good thing!
im so glad to have stumbled on this site. im going to france tomorow. i have no idea how to get from cdg airport to yerres. could someone out there helpme!!!!!!!! pleaase!!!!!!
I read your message - question about transportation from Paris to the airport. I'm assuming that you are going to Charles de Gaulle. Take the Paris-Roissy Bus that leaves right from the American Express Office across from the Opéra. You can buy a ticket on the bus and you don't need a reservation. They run frequently and start early in the morning (i think before or right about 6am). You just have to tell the driver which part of the Airport you want to go to (or just tell him the name of the airlines and if he's nice he'll help you out.) The cost is about $8.00. I suggest you don't take the metro line out to the airport since buying the wrong ticket can get you a fine of 20 Euros if the conductors check and it's also a quick target of pickpockets and robbers.
I hope that helps you. If I can find my brochure about the Paris-Roissy Bus Service I'll post more info here for you within a week.
I've taken the bus to and from the airport and it's a great and safe way. Good luck!
Ed
p.s. Karen.. post a note here so I know you saw the information and if you need more help.
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