Eiffel Tower From Cdg

[Cloverjo]

What's the best way to do this? I have seen answers on Yahoo, but there are many changes of buses and trains. Does anyone know of a relatively easy way to do it? Thank you.

[jeffa]

It really depends what you mean by "best". If it were me, I'd just take a taxi and enjoy Paris at street level.

[chrissa1]

My late husband and I just took a taxi.

[Buenchico]

>>>there are many changes of buses and trains

Not unless they've chnged the whole of the Paris transport system (or possibly moved the Eiffel Tower!) since the last time I was there!

The trick to getting around Paris quickly is to use the RER trains. They operate rather like a limited stop underground service, so they're much quicker than the Metro (and often much less crowded as well) and far, far quicker than any buses.

RER Line B runs directly from Paris CDG to St-Michel Notre Dame station. Then just look for the 'Correspondence' signs for RER Line C, where a train will take you quickly to Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel station.

[Buenchico]

>>>perhaps talk to a tourist office about a purchasing a Carnet to match your needs

You need a Paris Visite ticket. Travel to/from CDG requires a 5-zone ticket. On other days it's likely that a 3-zone ticket would meet all of your needs:
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61634/paris-visite/

[Buenchico]

>>>It specifically excludes CDG

Look again, Methyl! It excludes the airport express bus services (Jetbus and Allobus Roissy CDG) but includes all RER rail services.

[Cloverjo]

Thank you, everyone. I won't have any luggage as it will be checked through to home, but we have a 9 hour stopover in Paris. Looks like RER is the way to go.

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply.

If you're simply looking to kill some time in Paris, and see a few sights, I'll mention that St-Michel Notre Dame station (where you've got to change trains anyway) is right by Notre Dame Cathedral and also a convenient access point for the Latin Quarter, which is packed with cheap (but good) restaurants. A decent three course lunch costs from about €12 to €15 in many places.

If time permits, an alternative way to get from St-Michel Notre Dame station to the Eiffel Tower is by using the frequent Batobus river services, which operate from close to the cathedral. They take about an hour for the journey (instead of a few minutes on the train) but you get some lovely views of Paris along the way:
http://www.batobus.com/english/