en route to India...Paris stopover

amazon · Sep 22nd, 2003, 20:56

This question is not pertinent to India, but I need some info/opinions from those of you who have been to Paris via charles de gaulle airport.

I am travelling to India via Paris: my flight lands in Paris at 8am, and my next flight leaves for Mumbai at 3:30pm, so I have 4-5 hours to kill. Is it worth the train/bus ride (1hr-1.5hr) to the city centre, for an hour (maybe), and then travel back to the airport? or should I just stay at the airport?

Your opinion/guidance on this is appreciated!!

Tomi · Sep 23rd, 2003, 01:03

Absolutely, amazon, it's worth it and you have lots of time; I'd guess you'll have about 3 hours in Paris.
Clear customs (sometimes none at all), then take the free airport shuttle bus from the terminal to the train station at CDG airport.
Take the RER (suburban rail) into Paris; you first have to buy a ticket at the ticket window (just say "Paris"), then stamp the ticket in the machines provided before you take the stairs down to board the train.
The trip takes much less than an hour, trains are frequent, and the cost is about 10 euros round trip.
With the train ticket you have a right to change to any subway station in Paris without paying extra.
I suggest you get off at Chatelet subway station, then a short walk to the river (Seine) and spend all your time walking along the river banks and the numerous bridges around the two islands (Cité and Saint-Louis); do a loop around Notre Dame. If you have any specialized interests, PM me.
I have done this sort of thing at at least 7 or 8 airports and always enjoy it. There is a problem, though: if you're going to India in the winter and haven't packed winter stuff, Paris could be cold. I arrived in Delhi with a cold after spending 3 hours in freezing Mainz.

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2003, 06:46

Check your luggage for your flight to India before you leave the airport though, there could be delays etc and you can get them out of the way in advance.
And to state the obvious, make sure to leave enough time for boarding etc at the other end. I'd be easily distracted by Paris and forget all about the rest of my trip :P

amazon · Sep 23rd, 2003, 08:15

I've decided to stop over in Paris (when else do I get a free trip), and check my luggage before leaving. I figured it would be worth it, but one of my friends who went to Europe last year said it was a really long ride into the city...

Thanks Tomi, guerik.

Amit · Sep 23rd, 2003, 12:19

The Eiffel alone is worth the trrip into Paris! Besides look at it the other way round... what would you do in an airport lounge for five hours?

guerik · Sep 23rd, 2003, 12:52

Read French magazines!

I'm a foreign magazine addict though, so it's possible that's not normal. Fun though!

bijapuri · Sep 23rd, 2003, 15:12

sleep
((i'm old, alas)

Sep 22nd, 2003, 20:56	#1
amazon Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 4	en route to India...Paris stopover This question is not pertinent to India, but I need some info/opinions from those of you who have been to Paris via charles de gaulle airport. I am travelling to India via Paris: my flight lands in Paris at 8am, and my next flight leaves for Mumbai at 3:30pm, so I have 4-5 hours to kill. Is it worth the train/bus ride (1hr-1.5hr) to the city centre, for an hour (maybe), and then travel back to the airport? or should I just stay at the airport? Your opinion/guidance on this is appreciated!!

Sep 23rd, 2003, 15:12	#7
bijapuri Lord of Kalinjar Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: the real surf city Posts: 2,646	sleep ((i'm old, alas) __________________ lookit me!!!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bijapuri/ Utube fuzzy logic: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=bijapuri&p =r

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
greetings from Paris	goldenyogi	Introduce Yourself	19	Dec 11th, 2005 19:42
stopover in dubai	paan wallah	Crossing the Border	21	Aug 25th, 2005 03:52
fw: Paris Club penalizes countries hit by tsunami	machadinha	India Travel News and Commentary	3	Mar 14th, 2005 06:51
Help needed plse for my route thru India	Unregistered	India Travel Itinerary Advice	6	Feb 13th, 2002 18:30

Sep 23rd, 2003, 01:03	#2
Tomi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Cambridge, MA, USA Posts: 448	Absolutely, amazon, it's worth it and you have lots of time; I'd guess you'll have about 3 hours in Paris. Clear customs (sometimes none at all), then take the free airport shuttle bus from the terminal to the train station at CDG airport. Take the RER (suburban rail) into Paris; you first have to buy a ticket at the ticket window (just say "Paris"), then stamp the ticket in the machines provided before you take the stairs down to board the train. The trip takes much less than an hour, trains are frequent, and the cost is about 10 euros round trip. With the train ticket you have a right to change to any subway station in Paris without paying extra. I suggest you get off at Chatelet subway station, then a short walk to the river (Seine) and spend all your time walking along the river banks and the numerous bridges around the two islands (Cité and Saint-Louis); do a loop around Notre Dame. If you have any specialized interests, PM me. I have done this sort of thing at at least 7 or 8 airports and always enjoy it. There is a problem, though: if you're going to India in the winter and haven't packed winter stuff, Paris could be cold. I arrived in Delhi with a cold after spending 3 hours in freezing Mainz.

Sep 23rd, 2003, 06:46	#3
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Check your luggage for your flight to India before you leave the airport though, there could be delays etc and you can get them out of the way in advance. And to state the obvious, make sure to leave enough time for boarding etc at the other end. I'd be easily distracted by Paris and forget all about the rest of my trip :P

Sep 23rd, 2003, 08:15	#4
amazon Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 4	I've decided to stop over in Paris (when else do I get a free trip), and check my luggage before leaving. I figured it would be worth it, but one of my friends who went to Europe last year said it was a really long ride into the city... Thanks Tomi, guerik.

Sep 23rd, 2003, 12:19	#5
Amit Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mumbai Posts: 112	The Eiffel alone is worth the trrip into Paris! Besides look at it the other way round... what would you do in an airport lounge for five hours?

Sep 23rd, 2003, 12:52	#6
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Read French magazines! I'm a foreign magazine addict though, so it's possible that's not normal. Fun though!