Anyone knowledgeable about metro from De Gaulle airport to Gare de Lyon?

Question

I'm traveling to Paris soon. Thinking of staying at a hotel near Gare de Lyon. There is apparently a metro station near the hotel, but I'd sure like to hear more specifically what I'm looking for at the airport, what metro station to get off at, and about what it will cost. I don't speak much French, read even less.

A few more questions while I'm on a roll. Does anyone have thoughts on whether this (Gare de Lyon) is a "good" area, i.e. safe, reasonably close to city sights, local culture/things to see/places to eat, etc.

Lastly, I've read about multi day passes for public transportation. Would my airport-hotel trip be on such transportation -- if so, where do you get the multi-day pass, airport? online? Anyone know where I can find the costs (3 day).

Too wordy and rambling I know, but thanks for any input you can provide.

Mike

Answer 1

Hello Mike

I’m French, I would have loved to answer your question, but I’m on strike today!!!! (joke).

From Charles de Gaulle Airport the RER B (regional train, but that is the only one you can take in the airport). All of these train are going to Chatelet Les Halles (10 or 11 station after the airport, it depends if you arrive in ch de Gaulle 1 or 2). Then you have to change of train and take RER A or RER D, both of them are stoping in Gare de Lyon (that is a just a one station trip : a few minutes). This trip in train will cost you 8,10 euros.
Here you have the website of the transport company in paris and area around paris (English version) : http://www.ratp.fr/
You will find there informations about the passes for public transportation and costs.

Paris is not a very big town (20 times less big than berlin for exemple), so you are never very far from place in paris. In gare de lyon, you can take the metro, regional trains, and national trains which go to southern france. Gare de lyon is in the 12th district of paris in the south east of the town. You will find places to eat everywhere in Paris. The train stations are never the safer places, but this part of Paris is a safe place (I mean the district). You will be near of the 4th district, where are the cathedral notre dame, on the island of the city. In front of the cathedral you will be able to visit the rest of the town of the 5th century, under the place. On that island, there is also the sainte chapelle, within the court house. In my opinion the best way to arrive there from the area where you will be staying, will be walking. That is the best way to know Paris, along the seine river. That is not that far. It will take 20 or 30 minutes. Nearest of your hotel, where you could also go walking, there are the place des vosges a lovely place of the 17th century, on which there several art galleries, and where you will be able to visit the house of Victor Hugo. In the same area there is the Carnavalet museum (the museum of the city of Paris). and the Picasso museum. In this district you also can see the lovely paris hall town (hotel de ville). The Louvre museum is a bit more far away, in the 1st district (45 minutes walking).

I don’t stop speaking (writing), the best will be to make your own program. Here is the English version of the website of Paris : http://www.v1.paris.fr/en/

I hope you will have a very good stay in paris. If I can help you with more informations, mail me : [e-mail]
Bye

Answer 2

I believe the train from Charles do Gaulle goes to Châtelet-les-Halles, you can then take a Metro from there to Gare De Lyon. You will have ot change trains though. They run every 15 minutes from the airport and take about 35 minutes to get into the city.

Gare de Lyon is on OK area. I would look at staying closer to the Bastille, or even in the Marais area. They are closer to the Louvre, Notre Dame etc.

Answer 3

This web page might answer your transportation question:
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Transportation/Air/airports_Paris1.shtml

With so many questions about your trip, you'd be wise to join our (free) travel discussion group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thetravelzine/

Our knowledgeable members would be happy to help!

Answer 4

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