Arrival at CDG
Taking the train from CHARLES DE GAULLE airport
Unless you plan on taking a taxi that can be expensive or a bus that will almost double your travel time, you can easily travel by train (RER + Metro) to the apartment. This is the fastest, most reliable and cheapest way to go.
RER is the train regional express network that prolongs the Paris subway in the outskirts of town.
When you arrive at the train station area, you will be on Level 4 of an atrium with a Sheraton hotel on one end, an HSBC Bank on the other end and multiple signs pointing to the Gare/Station/Paris by Train.
Before heading down, you may wish to withdraw some cash (euros) from the HSBC's ATM. If your credit card does not have a chip it will probably not work with the train tickets vending machines.
Take the escalators down to the station on Level 2.
To buy Paris train tickets, you can use one of the numerous vending machines. Be sure to use the machines labeled Billets Paris et Ile-de-France and not the yellow SNCF TGV vending machines that only sell TGV/Intercity train tickets.
You can buy a single ticket to Paris (Paris Aller-Simple) as well as various passes. The current price for a single ticket to Paris is €10.00.
For info on tourist passes and fares visit RATP.
If you do not wish to use a vending machine, you can go to the SNCF ticket office. The office is split into two halves with only the left half selling tickets and passes for travel within Paris and the Ile-de-France area (Billets Ile-de-France). That's where you need to go.
With your ticket on hand you can proceed to the platforms located down on Level 1. Follow the signs VOIE 11 and VOIE 12 and RER B Paris par Train.
All trains go to Paris. Remember to keep your ticket with you at all times. You may be asked by a controller to show a valid fare or otherwise pay a penalty. The ticket is also required to transfer from the RER to the Metro station in Paris (turnstiles).
Trains travel on line B toward Robinson/Saint Rémy-les-Chevreuse.
Get off at the Châtelet-Les Halles station to connect with the Métro.
Once you have retrieved your luggage, follow the signs
"RER PARIS PAR LE TRAIN" or "RER B PARIS BY TRAIN".
They will lead you to the RER station (also referred to as Gare TGV) located between the airport's terminals 2C/2D and 2E/2F.
Moving sidewalks are available to reach the station.
To download a map of CDG airport CDG
For info about the airport (flights, services, maps, access, car parks) visit airport
The RER B train line runs north-south through the center of Paris, stopping at Gare du Nord, the London to Paris Eurostar station, then at Châtelet Les Halles the “super” exchange station with 4 metro lines and 3 RER lines available.
To download a map of the Metro network here: Metro
To download a map of the RER network RER
To download the Paris Metro application (iTunes)
For timetables, routes, traffic, maps, passes and fares visit RATP
The RER and Métro stations at Châtelet-Les Halles are linked. To get from one to the other you will have to walk underground quite a bit and take a couple of escalators.
Follow the signs for line 11 of the Métro which will take you to the apartment.
Take Line 11 (Châtelet <--> Mairie des Lilas) toward Mairie des Lilas.
You are only 2 stops aways from the Rambuteau station, your final stop.
Exit at the angle of rue Beaubourg and rue Rambuteau. The apartment is less than ½ a block away (50 yards).
Walk down rue Rambuteau leaving the Pompidou Center (Modern Art Museum) behind you.
It takes around 45 minutes to get to the apartment from Charles de Gaulle airport.
Rambuteau Metro station exit
Rambuteau Metro exit with Pompidou Center in the background
Short walk down Rambuteau Street to the apartment
