Thoughts from the RER B : Suck it in

In reference to the post, I wrote earlier about the RER B and it's problems. I have a little story about why not to squeeze and shove people onto the train or even to get on unless you are ready to face the consequences.

My husband was on the train one night and it was packed. The train decided to stop in a station for over an hour, and the driver didn't even make an announcement as to why ! Anyway there were these girls standing next to him, who were trying to impress some guys next to them. The girls kept pushing him and he said "If you don't stop I am going to get sick". Well they laughed at him and were like "Right". They should've taken him seriously because two minutes later he puked on them. I would have liked to see their faces then! Thankfully there was a doctor standing right near him and was able to get the girls to move, probably with some harsh words. and I am thankful that he is ok.

Thoughts from the RER B !

A few days ago when I was coming home, as if my trajet isn't long enought, the RER B decided to shut down. Ok not completely but it seemed like it. I was able to queeze on at Chatelet, only to discover the train would be leaving in 38 minutes !

The police were there circulating in case there were problems, but they didn't have information about the status of the train. And they really didn't help out when 2 men in my car started screaming and shouting at each other, because the one wanted to pull the alarm. But obviously the alarm was not going to work because the train wouldn't be moving anytime soon.

Finally after 15 minutes, the train started but it was only going to gare du nord and not to Aulnay Sous Bois, my stop.

Gare du Nord was a zoo, the police were blocking the entrances and exits to the train that would eventually leave (who knows if the train actually ever left the station, I didn't stick around to see) the platform. I went up to the floor where the train would be leaving and found it to be a mob scene. So, I was forced to take the rer e and the tram, meaning an extra hour and a half and then the bus !

Sometimes living in the suburbs is nice because life is not so busy and stressful as Paris. But it sucks when the transportation system fails because its like "let's see how many people we can squish in a train!"

Do you have any RER B stories ?

Spring has blommed

and tourists are popping up like flowers !
I take the rer b everyday to and from Paris, and lately there have been no seats left due to oversized luggage. Kind of makes me mad, because I have a 30-40 minute commute and I would not like to be standing the whole time with my heavy laptop case.

fyi : never bring your laptop if there is a strike, because it might be get broken. People push and don't care if your laptop is in your bag, I know from experience.

Thoughts from the Metro : Chatelet

I have a love/ hate relationship with Chatelet (line 1,4,5,7,11, rer a, b, d). It is a nice station to change because of the variety of directions that it offers, but sometimes it is not worth walking 1.5 miles just to arrive at the station. You will understand once you have done it.

For example, getting off at RER B and having to take line 11 or 7. You have to pass two moving sidewalks and it includes stairs. Usually I do not mind taking the stairs, but when I had to stand for 45 minutes in the RER, the escalator seems to be my best friend.

Also, I do not usually mind the musicians in the stations, there is a handicapped man, who plays contemporary music between the main corridor and line 14 who is pretty good. But recently at the main corridor ( the ticket counters and the walking sidewalks) there has been a man singing and he usually attracts a large crowd, at first it seems like no problem. But add rush hour night traffic and people walking in 100 different directions and people staying to listen to him, and these combinations do not mix. I have to push against the current literally to get to the ticket counters and pass to push my way to the RER. Just imagine if you are a tourist and have a huge suitcase, I think it would be worse...

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.