As you can
As you can see from the above route the shuttle goes from terminal 1 to 3 to 2 ,with car-park stops in between,so don't panic to the fact that you have not seen 2 before you you approach 3 !!
If you have arrived at Terminal 2
The RER station is located between Halls C/D and E/F. It can be reached from Terminal 2 locations (Halls) by walking / moving walkways (quite long) or using the free airport bus Aeroports de Paris N1. You will find signs as to how far you are away from each of the other locations and the station within Terminal 2.
By following the signs you will arrive at the station area on level 4, here you should find the Sheraton hotel (plan here) - if you do you'll know you are in the right place! There is also a bank on this level so its a good place to get some euros plus it will also give you a chance to check out you credit card as in France you normally need a 'smart chip enabled' credit card for purchases.
Descend to Level 2 where you will find the ticket office for the station. The office is split into two sides, one side for tickets for Paris trains (RER B) and the other side for intercity Grandes Lignes trains tickets, which includes TGV trains.
You will also find plenty of ticket vending machines at both stations. You have to use the Billetterie Ile-de-France blue vending machines and not the yellow SNCF TGV machines, as they do not sell tickets for the RER B. You must use a 'smart chip enabled' card at these machines or cash. There are also ticket offices in both terminals.
While you are buying your RER ticket, you can also pick up the good value set of ten metro tickets "carnet" for your stay in Paris.
Once you have your tickets you then descend to Level 1 - remember the station is split into two distinct sides, one for RER suburban trains for Paris city centre,(the one you want) the other is for the TGV high speed intercity trains.
Note: You will see signs saying 'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV' - but this is also for the RER trains
Try and catch a RER B "express" train, i.e. one that makes no stops between CDG and Gare du Nord.
You can tell which RER B trains are express trains by looking at the overhead screens on the platform.
If you have arrived at Terminal 3
A a pedestrian walkway (500 meters) connects you with the train station.
RER-B route into Paris:
Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV Gare du Nord - for Montparnasse St Michel - Notre Dame - for Austerlitz Current fare is just under 9 euro one-way. Frequency:- every 10 - 15 minutes |
Gare Du Nord, also referred to as 'Paris Nord' is a major intercity SNCF station.
You need to transfer to Montparnasse Or Austerlitz station to get a train to the Loire Valley'
For Montparnasse you have the following options from Paris Nord:
Take a taxi...
Finding a taxi is easy at Gare du Nord you just have to follow the blue Taxi signs pointing towards the western end (to the right as you exit the trains) of the station, not the front where you might expect to find them, where you’ll find the taxi rank. The queues can be long - it may take twenty minutes to get to the front if you hit a busy period. There are options for pre-booking a taxi or shuttle van where you will be met at the station with someone with a signboard with your name. Expect to pay €15.00 to €30.00 depending on which station you are heading to and traffic conditions.
Allow yourself at least 1 1/2 hours for this journey as although the ride is probably only 30 minutes traffic can be heavy at peak times - you don't need the added stress!
Use the metro system...
Before you venture on to the metro system - get yourself a map - these are available free of charge from any metro ticket / information booths. Better still, download a map before you travel from here: https://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/ and try and familiarise yourself with the system before you go. To access the metro you turn to your left as you leave the trains, you will see the overhead sign giving you the direction to head in. Head downstairs to the second level and the metro entrance.
You can buy your metro ticket from the ticket office or machines on the main concourse or on the second level. A single ticket will cost you €1.70 or €12.70 for a book of 10 (Carnet). One ticket covers any journey within the central Paris Metro system. The machines have instructions in English.
To access the metro you turn to your left as you leave the trains, you will see the overhead sign giving you the direction to head in. Head downstairs to the second level and the metro entrance.
The Paris metro system has colour coded lines which are identified by the stations at each end of the line. You are following the signs for metro line 4 which has the stations Porte de Clignancourt and Porte d'Orleans as its end destinations - you are heading in the direction of Porte d'Orleans to get to Montparnasse. Again allow at least 1 1/2 minimum for the transfer.
To go back to CDG, you can buy a ticket to Roissy/CDG from any metro ticket window. You will need your ticket to exit the RER system at CDG, so take good care of it. Be sure to get on the B3 line on the way back, the designation B3 refers to the branch of the B train line that goes to and from the airport (among other places). This is more important when you're making your way back to the airport. In this case, be sure to get on a B3, not a B5.
For Austerlitz:
Stay on the RER line B train until St Michel - Notre Dame, change here for RER line C for Austerlitz.
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