Travelling in Paris
June 3, 2013 5:11 AM Subscribe
In June, I'm going to Paris for a conference. I'm planning on booking a room in Alfortville, whilst the conference is in the 7th arr., on the Boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg. I'll need to take the RER D for an 8.30 start in the morning, returning in the evening. Anyone have any idea how long the journey will take? How reliable is public transport in Paris? And is this particular line dodgy?
Thanks
Best answer: It depends from where you are in Alfortville - if you're close to Maison Alfort, it would be better to just walk to the line 8 of the metro, and have no connections.
I would plan for an hour long journey - especially if connecting several RER/Metro it's better to allocate some time, especially in Chatelêt les Halles.
Also note that there are less trains in the evening - so if you're staying for dinner in Paris, it's good to have a look at the schedules too (on the link above, you can vary the time/hours to check).
Finally, the RER has a "zoning" system. Alfortville and Maison Alfort are between zone 2 (for which you just need a regular ticket) and zone 3 (where you'd need a slightly more expensive ticket) depending on wether you take the metro or RER. In any case, make sure you have tickets the night before: waiting to buy tickets in the morning can easily add 10-15mn to the trip :)
posted by motdiem2 at 6:00 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
I would plan for an hour long journey - especially if connecting several RER/Metro it's better to allocate some time, especially in Chatelêt les Halles.
Also note that there are less trains in the evening - so if you're staying for dinner in Paris, it's good to have a look at the schedules too (on the link above, you can vary the time/hours to check).
Finally, the RER has a "zoning" system. Alfortville and Maison Alfort are between zone 2 (for which you just need a regular ticket) and zone 3 (where you'd need a slightly more expensive ticket) depending on wether you take the metro or RER. In any case, make sure you have tickets the night before: waiting to buy tickets in the morning can easily add 10-15mn to the trip :)
posted by motdiem2 at 6:00 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Out of curiosity, is there a particular reason you're looking to stay in Alfortville? If cost is an issue, you should check out Airbnb—my wife and I used it for our last trip to Paris and it was a terrific experience, especially for the price we paid to stay in a wonderful apartment right in the Marais. I'd bet that you could certainly find something affordable in close proximity to the conference.
posted by The Michael The at 6:41 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by The Michael The at 6:41 AM on June 3, 2013 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks a lot for your answers, I think Alfortville is out - too far.
The Michael The - I have actually found the apartment I was considering on Airbnb - it is absolutely dreamy, beautiful garden, near water etc, alas, too far. I've spent a full day in total on Airbnb trying to find something central AND cheap - unfortunately, cost is very much an issue!
Thanks again all
posted by miorita at 8:12 AM on June 3, 2013
The Michael The - I have actually found the apartment I was considering on Airbnb - it is absolutely dreamy, beautiful garden, near water etc, alas, too far. I've spent a full day in total on Airbnb trying to find something central AND cheap - unfortunately, cost is very much an issue!
Thanks again all
posted by miorita at 8:12 AM on June 3, 2013
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Public transportation in Paris is pretty reliable. Just check the RATP website from time to time to make sure there is no strike planned on your line though.
posted by mugitusqueboom at 5:34 AM on June 3, 2013