Eurostar to Paris/Lille then regular train to DLRP?

[Bonnie]

Has anyone done this?

The indirect seats have been released for the week we are planning to go, and to my complete and utter disappointment they are very expensive yet again. The frustrating thing is that it's £236 for 4 adults in the previous week, yet it's £860 for the same 4 adults on the dates we want to travel (leaving Tuesday 26th August, returning Friday 29th August). I don't understand why as the seats have JUST been released.

We can't stretch to that amount this time. I'm really disappointed.

I checked for direct trains to Paris and Lille from London (not choosing indirect DLRP services - it seems that once you add Marne-la-Valée the prices rocket) and found that we could get there and back for about £220 for the 4 of us, but obviously we'd have to buy separate train tickets to get from Paris or Lille to Marne-la-Valée. These look to be about £50 for the 4 of us. So £270 in total.

Any advice, anyone? Have any of you ever taken this route? Remember I am not talking about the indirect DLRP service, I am talking about booking a return ticket to Paris or Lille, then buying separate train RER tickets. I expect the indirect service uses the same method but, for some reason, charges a MASSIVE premium for it!

 

[torsie24]

I think you are paying for the 'ease' of them doing it for you.

I went to paris in Januray, and when we were waiting for our return eurostar (we arrived at the station pretty early) I noticed it would have been quite easy to catch a train to Disney. Just like if you were sitting in King's cross and fancied hopping on a train to somwhere.

The ticket machines at GDN are easy to use, and have an english option, and Parisiens have always been very helpful. So it might mean you lose a little time getting tickets, but I wouldn't hesitate making my own way from paris to DLP - especially if it meant saving £600!!

You could probably buy them online if your french is good.

 

[torsie24]

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/cv_en/carterer.php

If this link works you'll see you get off the Eurostar at Gare du Nord, then jsut need to hop the blue line 1 stop south, then get on the red RER line to chessy/marne-la-vallee.

 

[torsie24]

I jsut did a seach on times, and if you get the 12.13 today, it will take 55 mins including changes.

You need a ticket for transit zones 1-5

 

[Bonnie]

Thank you torsie24.

The thing I am most worried about is missing our connection so would probably want to buy tickets in advance. My French is decent so I should be able to manage it. Would prefer the direct train really to avoid hassle but I guess that's not meant to be!

Would be interested to know if anyone has ever actually done this and how they found it!

 

[mummyal]

We did that in April - we took the train to Paris, then hopped on the RER to get to DLP. It was our first time doing that and it wasn't as difficult as we were expecting it to be. Quite straightforward really once you've mastered the ticket machine lol. It took us a bit longer as we had 2 kids and we had to do a separate transaction for them. But all in all, it only took us under 10 mins to get our tickets lol.

We waited less than 10 mins for our RER train - think there's one every 10-15 mins?! You just have to make sure that Marne-la-Vallee is showing as its destination when the train arrives.

I definitely would take that option esp if it saves you £600! We went via this route for the same reason - it saved us about £300 going via Paris (had no choice really. I really wanted to go DLP at the last minute).

HTH.

 

[sam_rogers]

from previous experience I've found that going to Gare du Nord then getting the RER is easier than changing at Lille. I was easy enough to buy RER tickets there, the only problem we had was trying to find the right line in the station coz the signs got a bit confusing but we just went to the information office and the man pointed us in the right direction, thankfully i knew enough french to understand what he was saying.

 

[Bonnie]

Thank you everyone for your fantastic advice, both on this thread and the others I've posted recently!

I am happy to say our trip is finally booked. We are going to Paris Gare du Nord and planning to take the Metro and RER to Marne-la-Valée now we know it's possible. We've also booked three nights at the Cheyenne and bought our park tickets on the 4-for-3 offer, which worked out cheaper than a package.

Now I just need a ticker!

 

[Happy Tappy]

I did it last August as it was half the price of getting a train directly to Disney. As already said, get off the Eurostar at Gare du Nord and follow the signs for the RER. When you arrive at the RER part of the station, you will see ticket booths (they often have English speaking staff at the windows) and also ticket machines. The machines are very easy to use. Make sure you get a ticket for "Marne La Vallee"

You then jump on the RER line B to Chatalet Les Halles (in the direction of Robinson). There you need to change to RER line A to Marne La Vallee. When you are on the platform waiting for the train on Line A, you should notice some large information boards above the platform. On the boards, there will be a list of stations and some of them will have lights next to them. One of the last names on the list is Marne La Vallee. If the light next to Marne La Vallee isn't on, don't board the train. The train terminates at Disney so don't worry about missing your stop!

The whole trip takes about 45 minutes.

 

[Bonnie]

Well it's a week and a half until our trip and I thought I'd come back to this thread to refresh my memory on what to do when we get to Paris Gare du Nord!

One thing I've been wanting to ask is does anyone know roughly how much a Metro/RER ticket from Paris Gare du Nord to Marne-la-Valée would cost (for one adult)? I've had a look online and I'm getting mixed results.

Just so we can factor that in when getting our Euros next week.

 

[Emergency Kitten]

We always do this - far more choice of train, as you have found out it is much cheaper, and also I think far better in that you're not tied to the direct train times, which we never find convenient.

No need to rush when you get to GDN, trains are very frequent out to MLV.

Get off the train, walk to end of platform, turn left, walk through main concourse, you'll see signs for Metro/RER. Buy tickets - singles - you can use machine which you can choose to be in English, or you can just go to a ticket window, they all speak English in our experience.

Remember that the lines have a letter (in the case of the metro, a number) so do take care to find the correct platform. Your route should be

From GDN take the RER B line direction Remy/Robinson, two stops south to Chatelet-les-Halles. You can also take the D line direction Malesherbes/Melun to Chatelet. Change there for the A line, direction Marne le Vallee.

Look at the indicator boards carefully, make sure light is on for MLV, wait if not. Have never had to wait more than about 15 mins.

Look for the 'train court' sign lit up - if so, all this means is that its a short train, so make sure you're in the middle of the platform.

hop on, count about 14 stops, get excited, you'll be there in about 40 mins.

This may help
http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan_ang.php?loc=reseaux&nompdf=metro&fm=gif

HTH
Ek

 

[Bonnie]

EK, that is very helpful, thank you! I had a minor panic today as I haven't really planned out our journey yet and it's only 11 days away! I will print off this thread and I'm sure it will be useful when we're at Gare du Nord and wondering which way to turn.

Can you remember approximately how much a ticket costs?

 

[hildasmuriel]

I just love this forum.


Not that I am travelling this way. I just wanted to say that I love this forum.

 

[Bonnie]

Oooh wow hildasmuriel, you are going in two days! How lovely! Have a fantastic time.

I love this forum too - soooooo helpful!!! Just never get the chance to visit much anymore!

 

[Rosie]

I don't visit here as much as I used to but as I will also be in DLRP soon I am reading everything and trying to get back up to speed.
Bonnie, have you read the thread about FP and the Crush's Coaster - it may be worth a look.

 

[Bonnie]

Rosie, I have just looked at the Crush's Coaster Fastpass thread... is it the one which mentions a trial of Fastpasses until the 24th? I'm not sure if that's the one you mean. Unfortunately we arrive on the 26th so will just miss it! I hope the queues aren't toooooooooo bad.

 

[Emergency Kitten]

Its about 12.50 euros ish single per adult Bonnie. I think.

might well be wrong, but that's the figure I seem to recall!

Good luck - its easy really - don't panic or rush, the trains are really frequent, just like the London tube really (but much better!)

 

[Bonnie]

Thanks EK! You are very reassuring.

I will do my best not to panic and hopefully it'll all go smoothly.

 

[Rosie]

Oh yes Bonnie - it seems as though the FP trial may be finished when you arrive. Maybe the trial will be extended if it is succesful . I am looking forward to trying the coaster as it was opening the day we left last visit. Even if we have to do a mad dash in the morning I intend to try it out.

 

[Emergency Kitten]

I think i may have it wrong in that it seems to be only one stop on the B or D lines south from gare du nord to Chatelet-les-Halles/Chatelet...sorry....this must be because we generally go to a hotel at St Michel, which is where my memory of two stops comes from! Looking at the RATP map it is only one stop.