Easiest way to do a day trip from Paris

[m1ckeym0use1]

We'll be in Paris over Easter 2017, and are considering just a day trip to see the parks. We will be staying Friday through Wednesday. Looking at airbnb's near Notre Dame.

The two options I'm considering are a coach tour with pariscityvision that includes a 1 day hopper ticket and round trip bus transportation for 105 euro.... or figuring out the trains and getting there and back on our own.

Is the train easy/cheap/frequent enough for two of us who don't speak French? Or are we better off just taking the coach tour?

Also, is the Monday after Easter also a holiday? If so... we may be better off going on that Tuesday.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[A Small World]

Its really easy to get a train from Central Paris to DLP

You get RER line A (shown in red on the map)

http://parisbytrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/paris-metro-map-2014.pdf

The RER is an extension of the metro system which serves the suburbs.
If you are staying close to Notre Dame the closest station to connect to this line would be Chatelet des Halles but you may want to get the metro from closer to your hotel and connect at one of the other stations - look at the map once you know where you are staying

It will cost approx 15Euros for a return ticket or you can get a mobiles ticket for not much more which gives you return and unlimited use of metro on that day (this would only be worth it if you did have to get the metro as well)

Line A splits so you need to make sure the train is going to Marne la Vallee - when on the platform there is a display board up above which lists all stations and the train due stops at the stations lit up - Marne la V is at the end of the line so will be the last station on the list. If its not lit up just hang on as another train will follow shorty after.

The trains are very frequent - every 10 mins or so and the journey will take approx 30-40 mins

In my opinion you are better off getting the train so you are not tied to having to arrive/leave when the coach party does

 

[zavandor]

another vote for the RER, it's super easy to use and will certainly be faster than a coach. Also, it will also be cheaper this way. Another way to check if the train is the right one is looking at the name on the front: it must start with a Q.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

Thanks for the information. Glad to have the confirmation that it's easy to do by train. That will also give us flexibility on times, and we won't be locked into a tour if we decide not to do Disney based on weather or wanting more time in Paris itself.