Getting to and around Paris
Paris Airport (Charles De Gaulle)
The main international and domestic airport with flights from UK, USA and Europe. The airport is 23km northeast of the city and is connected by RER trains, departing every 8mins from the TGV station in terminal 2 to Gare du Nord , Chatelet-Les Halles , St Michel and Denfert-Rochereau taking up to 45mins. Roissybuses depart from all 3 terminals, journey time 60mins or there are the RATP buses no. 350 to Gare de l'Est and 351 to Nation .
Aéroport d'Orly
Smaller but closer at only 18km south of the city. Carries charters and smaller European lines such as Ryanair.
The TGV and Eurostar are certainly the fastest ways to travel on two rails but can get rather pricey and booking ahead is essential. The cheaper alternative is the SNCF intercity trains which are regular, generally efficient and have wide coverage. There are 6 main stations connecting to specific regions and foreign destinations around the city.
p>Eurolines run buses locally and to neighbouring countries. The main bus terminal is at Gare Routiere Internationales du Paris-Gallieni , 28 avenue du General de Gaulle in Bagnolet.
By far the fastest and most convenient way to get round Paris. Tickets can be bought as singles(€1.40) or in a carnet of 10(€10.70), or there are passes such as Paris Visites with a choice of 1, 3 or 5 days to travel zones 1-3. Tickets must be validated before travel and kept to avoid on the spot fines at your destination. RATP tickets can be used for both Metro and bus. Separate tickets must be bought for travel on the suburban RER trains.
Cheap and environmentally friendly. Paris is best explored on foot in the spring when the crowds and heat are absent. The city is well spread out so to save tired feet it may pay to invest in a metro pass to get you home.