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A Few Useful Tips:

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Wondering what is the best mean of transportation to get from Paris airport: Roissy-Charled de Gaule to Paris. You have several options. The most expensive of course is to take a taxi. The price will vary with the amount of traffic you will encounter and the time it will take the driver to get to your destination. To avoid any misunderstanding, always write the complete address, including the zip code, and show it to the driver. In addition to the trip you will be charged an airport fee and you will be charged for each piece of luggage. If you are alone you may try to share a cab to lower the cost.

Less expensive are the shuttle services that link the airport to Paris. They will go to any address, even if it is not a hotel. You have to reserve them in advance but can do so easily from home through the internet. They are not always reliable and because of this we strongly advise you not to pay in advance and to allow extra time to get to the airport before your departure.

The cheapest way is to take a bus or the train, which is called the RER, and then the subway called the Metro to your destination. Of course, this will only work if you travel lightly.

The train and the bus prices are very similar. There are two kinds of buses. The Roissy bus takes you to the Opera Garnier and is run by the RATP, which also runs the subway and the busses in Paris. You can also take the Air France busses which go to major train stations. Your choice should depend on the location of your lodgings. You will need a subway map in order to plan at the same time your bus ride and your subway ride. If the later is two long with many changes it is not a good choice.

You can buy your train and bus tickets and take the busses or the train at the airport. If you take the train be wary of pickpockets as this line is notorious for them. They prey on foreign tourists who do not guard their luggage.

Generally speaking, pickpockets are a problem in Paris in the trains, the subway and places frequented by tourists, specially the Trocadero. To be safe, you should keep passports and money in a safe place and try not to look like a tourist.

I hope you have a safe and fun trip.

Here are a few places I always enjoy while I'm in Paris:

Chez Paul (Bistrot) Address: 13 rue de Charonne - 75011, Phone: 01-47-00-34-57

L'avant Gout (Restaurant) Address: 26 rue Bobillot - Paris 13th, Phone: 01-53-80-24-00

Le Detour (Housewares) Address: 15 rue de Turenne - 75004, Phone: 01-40-27-90-52

Le Grain de Sable (Designer Accessories) Address: 79 rue Saint Louis en l'Ile - 75004 Paris, Phone 01-46-33-67-27

Françoise


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