How To
S I R A P Your First Step to an Easy & Safe Trip
About us O r ia n e
Officially, she’s studying crosscultural communication. But her real pleasure, her little weakness even, consists in discovering the best bakeries in Paris. Another way to visit the city!
Her favorite subject to study is foreign languages, especially English and Mandarin Chinese. Particularly enjoys taking the bus to Paris: gazing through the window, she can discover new places. Thinks food is the best way to bond with other people.
Laura
Sica
Enjoys having tea and hot chocolate in Parisian cafĂŠs. Loves long walks in parks and gardens, shopping and taking pictures of interesting buildings. When she goes to Korea, her favorite activites are people-watching and hiking.
Dear traveller,
W
hen arriving in Paris, the last thing we would like you to feel is lost. Because you have better things to do than worry, we have created this guide, that will help you take your first steps in this beautiful city. Along these pages, you will find essential information about transportation and basic safety rules. Have a fun & safe trip! Oriane, Laura & Sica
Table of Contents
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How to get to the center of Paris from the airport
Choose the right transportation ticket The perfect outfit to visit Paris Useful websites and contacts
How to get to the center of Paris from the Airport You have just landed.... Welcome to France.! But the airport isn’t your final destination. Your next step: reaching the center of Paris. Are you ready to take on that journey? It’s not so complicated., just follow our lead. There are a lot of options!
Where: All the CDG Terminals Price: about 50€* Time: depending on traffic and where you’re
going, 40 mins to 2 hours More info: Aéroports de Paris website (see p. 8)
Where: Airport CDG1 station: go to terminal 1 and 3 Airport CDG 2- TGV: go to terminal 2 A, C, D, E, F and G Time: about 50 min from CDG airport to Paris-Châtelet les Halles Price: 9.50€* from CDG Airport to Paris-Châtelet les Halles More info: Transilien website (see p. 8)
When choosing public transportation (especially the RER), check the traffic. It’s often subject to strikes and traffic problems. * Fare subject to change.
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Where: Both lines at terminals 2A-2C,2E-2F,2D &1 Price: 17€* or 14,50€ for groups Time: about 1 h 15 mins depending on traffic More info: Aéroports de Paris website (see p. 8)
Roissybus connects Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to Opéra station., right next to the beautiful Opéra Garnier.
Where: go to terminal 2A, 2C,2E-2F,2D and terminal 1 and 3 Time: 45 to 60 min Price: about 10€ More info: Aéroports de Paris website (see p. 8)
TIPS
Beware of people who come to you pretending they are taximen, they could be non-official taxis. Prefer taxi companies like G7, Taxis Bleus or Alpha Taxis (more p 8-9). There is a 20% increase of the taxi fare between 7 PM and 7 AM from CDG to the suburbs, and between 5 PM and 10 AM from CDG to Paris. Same on Sundays and public holidays. If you have a host, ask him if he can provide you a ride. It might be the cheapest and most comfortable solution!
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Choose the right transportation ticket Not sure what ticket to buy to navigate the public transportation network? The Paris suburban transportation network is divided into 5 zones. Zone 1 corresponds to Paris itself, while the zones 2 to 5 correspond to Paris’ suburbs. The CDG airport is situated in zone 5, as well as, for instance, the Palace of Versail es.
Price: One ticket t+ :1.70€ Book of 10 tickets t+:13.30€ Valid for a one-way travel, inside zone 1, for any means of transportation (metro, RER, bus, tram). It still allows you to make connections : - Subway to subway - Subway to RER (in Paris)
- RER to RER (in Paris) - Bus to Tramway
The connection is only possible for 1h30 after the first validation. Price: Zones 1-3: between 10.55€ (one day) and 33.70€ (5 days) Zones 1-5: between 22.20€ (one day) and 57.75€ (5 days) More info: www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_61654/parisvisite/ If you are staying in Paris several days in a row, the Paris Visite ticket might be the right choice for you. It allows you unlimited travel for 1 to 5 days depending on the ticket you choose. Be careful not to lose it though!
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Price: 5€ + the price of a weekly or pass + a photograph Weekly pass (Monday (12pm) to Sunday (12pm)): from 19.80€ to 34.40€ depending on the zones you choose. If you feel brave enough to talk to a clerk, you can ask for a «Passe Navigo Découverte». You can then charge a weekly pass on it, just like Parisians do.
Where to buy your tickets or charge your pass? You can use the vending machines available at the entrance of most stations, as well as the vending booths if you need to talk to a clerk (grab a map of the metro network on the way!). The vending machines have menus in several languages, including English. Some accept credit cards, others cash, or both.
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Two ways to pass the gates
h a ticket
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5
h a pass
The perfect outfit to visit Paris Make sure to be fully prepared to survive in the urban jungle by following these few essential tips!
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2 5 3 What to pack in your backpack: a map of Paris, a map of the subway (you can ask for one at any station), a mini French guide, a second battery for your camera, a notebook with your local address.. and of course, your How to Paris Handbook!
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Don't keep your camera in hand. Rather choose to hang it around your neck if you really want to keep it near.. But beware, it's a sign you're a tourist and therefore a target for pickpockets!
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Keep your (smart) phone in a safe place if not needed; not in a bag or your jeans’ back pockets. An inside pocket is the best location.
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Don’t try to look pretty, jump into comfortable shoes instead! Paris isn’t big, enjoy the walks!
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Prefer a backpack or a shoulder bag to visit Paris so you can put it in front of you in crowded places! Place the most precious things at the bottom. Make sure to carry it under your arm when riding the metro.
Don't put your life in your pockets, prefer bumbags-like bags you can put under your clothes to keep money and passport safe.
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WEBSITES
Useful websites and contacts
Transilien website - all about suburban transportation: www.transilien.com/?siteLanguage=en/
Official website of the Convention and Visitors Bureau: booking.parisinfo.com
Socuripass - To buy your tickets online from China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan
paris.socuripass.com/paris-transportation-page/
Other links to buy tickets online:
www..ratp.fr/en/ratp/r_91797/buy-your-tickets-online/
AĂŠroports de Paris - Airport transportation information:
www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/Home/
Paris Info - Succint safety guide: en.parisinfo.com/practical-paris/practical-fact-sheets/safety
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European Union’s emergency telephone number - 112 Fire brigade - 18 Police - 17 SAMU (accidents) - 15 SOS médecins (Doctors) - 01 47 07 77 77 or +33 1 47 07 77 77 SOS dentaire (Dentists) - 01 43 37 51 or +33 1 43 37 51
Lost-and-found service:
CONTACTS
Emergency numbers:
36, rue des morillons 75015 Paris 0 821 00 25 25 (0,12€/min) - Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-5pm - Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm Service open without interruption Monday through Friday, except on public holidays. Unique number to book taxis: 01 45 30 30 30
Tourism Office: 25, rue des Pyramides 75001 Paris M1 Pyramides / Tuileries Other information offices: Gare de Lyon, gare du Nord, Paris expo, gare de l’Est, Anvers.
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Paris How to
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