Happy Strike week 2

This post is for those of you, who are currently on vacation in Paris or are coming sometime soon...beware of the transports (metro, bus, train).

Today starts week 2 of the transport strike and let me tell you it is not fun. Most of the metros, trams and buses iinside of Paris work so if you stay in the city, you shouldn't have problems. But for those who are like me, living in the suburbs or arriving at CDG, getting into Paris, may take longer than usual!

CDG-ers avoid the RER B at all costs, after a long fight, I would imagine you do  not want a headache, so take a taxi (only the ones that say taxi and have the lights, no black-market ones) usually around 40-70 euros depending on your luggage and the number of people. Also, avoid the RER when you need to go back to the airport, there are certain weekends when the train is not even going to the airport and instead there is a bus, again not worth the headache and getting in a  bad mood.

Going to Disneyland should be fine, the RER A is not on strike and is working normal, so no problems there!

same with RER C and going to Versailles, there does not seem to be any problems.

If you are thinking  that you can make a fast connection on rer e from Haussmann St. Lazare to Gare du Nord, avoid it. I take this train everyday (both ways) and it is not worth the zoo it becomes plus people aren't very nice.

To have a great trip in Paris without the headache, walk! The stroll from the Louvre to Arc de Triomphe is not that long and there are lots of exciting things to see along the way. Plus check out these other walking paths!

For more information about trains, metros and trams check out ratp.fr or transilien.fr

Aeroports in Paris

My sister went back home to the states today via the RER B to CDG 2 so I thought it would be appropriate to share some info about the airports, because I don't know how many times I have seen tourists go the wrong way to CDG.

One of CDG's terminals! So much FUN

One of the best ways to get to Charles De Gaulle Aerport 1,2, or 3 for the price of 10 euros or less is RER B. The first thing to keep in mind is that RER B has two end destinations ( Mitry/Claye and CDG). The most obvious route is the one leadin to CDG, going the other direction is nowhere near the airport. Remember to check the signs that list the stops and the direction, ask someone if you don't know.  Sometimes there are trains that are direct if you are leaving the Denefert Rochereau or Gare de Nord stations.

Buying the right tickets can be tricky, I know because I have done it. Make sure you buy the tickets that say CDG on them, if not you will not be able to get around the ticket carousel. Choose tickets that say to the airport, the ticket machine is in about 5 languages other than French, so use it.

Also, go EARLY, you never know if there will be an accident or technical problem or better yet a strike. It is better to be early (time to shop duty-free :) ) instead of running to the gate.


My sister and I left 30 minutes ahead of what we planned and you should have seen her face when I told her there was a technical problem at one of the stops we were going to pass. Thankfully we didn't experience any problems, and she made it there with plenty of time.



For more help: check out this practicable guide of paris by train.

HAPPY STRIKE DAY, MARCH 23, 2010

The day that most of the transports go on strike because they are angry about their treatment when they are going to retire, or their work conditions or blah blah blah, really I think they just wanted to take a mental health day!

This is the day that I love (please note the sarcasm) a day when every person who takes the transports has the "right" to get upset be cause there are no trains or the lack of trains, like 3 in 1 hour!

All the while the rage is going on, the conductors are fighting for their "rights". The passengers are fighting to get on the train, I had to wait for 3 trains before actually getting on one.


A day where your face is pushed into the glass and someone's hand just happens to touch your butt too long, or a roller coaster effect would take place if the train moved a little bit faster or pushed a little to hard on the brakes, causing you and the 5 people next to you to crash and fall down. Thus an argument starts about how you stepped on someone's Prada shoe or that your elbow is in someone's way, etc.

Basically if you already have a long day it will be even longer due to the fighting, thus stress, rage and accidents happen and for what a little extra retirement time? Really they are fighting for something openly that we can't even fight for in our own country, the only thing the French and us have in common is the adminstration doesn't listen no matter how we handle the situation.

photo from the 20 minutes website just to give you folk an idea.