AIDS Vaccine 2009 - Travel to the Conference
By Air:
Airport Information
Charles De Gaulle - CDG
BP 20101, 95711, Roissy
Charles de Gaulle, France
Phone: (+33) 1 48 62 22 80
Fax: (+33) 1 48 62 63 89
Website: http://www.paris-cdg.com/
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest airport in Paris serving both domestic and international flights daily. The Marriott Rive Gauche is approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of the Charles de Gaulle airport.
Transportation from Charles De Gaulle Airport to the Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel and Conference Center:
By Car
Follow PARIS EST signs to Porte d'Orleans. Take Avenue du Général Leclerc to Denfert Rochereau square. Turn right on Boulevard Saint Jacques. The hotel is situated on number 17. The doorman will indicate where parking is available.
Car Rentals
- Avis: +1 800 230 4898 / http://www.avis.com
- Budget: +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com
- Europcar: +33 825 825 490 / http://www.europcar.com
- Hertz: +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com
- National: +1 800 227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com
- Sixt: +33 820 00 7498 / http://www.e-sixt.com
By Taxi
Taxis are one of the more expensive options and trips can take up to an hour in traffic. An estimated fee of € 50.00 can be expected. There are only two official taxi companies in Paris. Taxis are located outside the terminal arrivals hall.
- Taxis G7: +33 1 4739 4739 / http://www.taxisg7.fr
- Taxis Bleus: +33 891 70 1010 / http://www.taxis-bleus.com
In addition, there are a number of non-regulated taxis. If you choose to use a non-regulated taxi service, make sure you agree on a price before your departure as sometimes drivers may try to take advantage of tourists. From the airport to central Paris should be around € 50.00. A supplement of about 15% applies to rates at night, on Sundays, and on public holidays.
By Shuttle and Limousine
Door-to-door shuttle service is available from the CDG to the Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel.
- Blue Airport Shuttle Paris: +33 1 3011 1300 / http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr
- Paris Airports Service: +33 1 5598 1080 / http://www.parisairportservice.com
Luxury car and limousine services include:
- Must Limousine Service: +33 1 45 62 3077 / http://www.mustlimousines.com
- Agence VIP Car: +33 1 4500 1211 / http://www.agencevipcar.fr
By RER Train (Réseau Express Régional)
How to ride the RER: After you've retrieved your bags and gone through customs, look for a "Gare" sign with a train symbol. (CDG has two RER stations: one for Terminals 1 and 3, and the other at Terminal 2.The terminals are connected by a free CDGVAL shuttle train.)
At the RER station, there are two ways to purchase tickets:
- In the ticket office, where the clerks accept payment by cash or credit card.
- From an "Île de France" ticket vending machine. These machines may not be compatible with foreign credit cards. (You'll have a better chance of success if you're using a European "smart" credit card with an embedded chip.)
Note: The Paris Visite transportation card is valid for most forms of public transportation in and around Paris. You may purchase this pass for different city zones by 1, 2, 3 or 5-day increments at any RER ticket window at CDG.
Once you have your ticket, follow the signs to the platforms. When you've descended the escalator, check the electronic signboard for train departure times and platform numbers. Trains typically depart every 10 to 20 minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight.
Directions from the Charles de Gaulle to the Marriott by RER Train
- Go to the TGV station at Terminal 2
- Board the RER KJAR towards Gare de Massy Palaiseau.
- Get off at stop "Denfert Rochereau (Paris)"
- Walk Southeast on Place Denfert Rochereau/Square Jacques Antoine toward Rue Froidevaux. Continue to follow Place Denfert Rochereau for 0.3 kilometers (0.2 miles). Turn right onto Boulevard Saint-Jacques and walk to the Marriott Hotel (17 Boulevard Saint-Jacques)
RER Tips:
- If possible, take an express (direct) train, even if it means waiting a few minutes longer on the platform. Local trains stop at 10 suburban stations on their way into the city, adding 15 minutes or more to the express train's 30-minute trip time.
- If you're traveling with anything larger than a carry-on suitcase, look for a bicycle compartment behind the driver's cockpit. (These compartments have their own set of doors.) You will have to stand during the trip into Paris, but you will be out of other passengers' way and you will find it easier to get off if the train gets crowded.
- Watch out for pickpockets, who prey on naive or jetlagged tourists.
- On trips to the airport, be sure that your train's destination is Charles de Gaulle-Roissy. (B3 trains go to CDG; B5 trains split off for another suburb.)
- Allow plenty of time for travel to the airport, just in case you're delayed or get lost in the terminals.
General Information about Paris, France
Paris, the capital city of France, is located in the north-bending arc of the river Seine and includes two islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité, which form the oldest part of the city. Overall, the city is relatively flat, and the lowest elevation is 35 m (115 ft) above sea level.
Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions, along with world-famous institutions and popular parks.
Getting Around Paris
The Metro: The Paris metro is one of the oldest and best systems in the world. There are around 300 stations connected by nearly 300 kilometers of track. You can get within a couple blocks of anywhere you want to go. The metro runs from 5:00 to 0:30. Tickets can be bought at a ticket booth in the station for a single ride or in a ten ride packet. You may also purchase a Paris Visite card for multiple forms of transportation that are valid for various day increments.
Metro maps can be found at the stations and are also posted all over the metro system. The maps are color-coded so all you have to do is find the station you want to go to, find the line that goes there and see what the final destination for that train is. Click on the link below to view the Paris Metro map and familiarize yourself with the system.
http://www.aparisguide.com/maps/metro.htm
Buses: The bus system is also exceptional and is a good way to familiarize yourself with the city. Metro tickets can be used on the buses and can be bought on the bus as well as in the metro stations. There is a machine on the bus that stamps your tickets. Make sure to keep your ticket, as there are people who come and check them every once in awhile. To transfer buses, you need another ticket. If you have a Le Paris Viste, it needs to be shown to the driver upon boarding. There are bus maps available at the metro stations and posted in the bus shelters. Most buses run from 6:30 to 20:30 but there are a few buses which run until 0:30.
Useful Travel Information
Currency: The Euro, or EUR, (€) is the official currency of France. Bank note denominations include €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, €5. Coins include €2, €1, 50-cent, 20-cent, 10-cent, 5-cent, 2-cent, and 1-cent denominations. Exchange rates can be found online at http://www.xe.com/ucc/.
Vaccinations: There are no required vaccinations for entry into France.
Average Temperature: For the month of October, Paris has average temperatures ranging from 8° C (46° F) to 15° C (59° F).
Time Zone: Central European Time - CET (GMT +1)
Language: French is the official language, but English is widely spoken and understood.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used. Adaptors are recommended.
Tipping:
Food: For coffee at a café, 20 cents is standard. In restaurants, typically you round to the nearest € 5 or € 10. If the menu states “service compris” it means “service included” and they are not expecting any tips. For exceptional service at a € 100 meal, € 5 is sufficient.
Taxi: 10% is common practice.
Hotel Staff: € 1-2 (Similar to the US)
Passport and Visa Requirements: For Information on entry into France and visa requirements, visit: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/france_159/entering-france_2045/index.html
Useful Links:
Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
http://en.parisinfo.com/
Charles de Gaulle Airport
www.paris-cdg.com
Metro / RER / Bus
www.ratp.info
Currency converter
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Marriott Rive Gauche and Conference Center
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parst-paris-marriott-rive-gauche-hotel-and-conference-center
Museum passes, Paris tours, and Sightseeing
http://www.parismetro.com/
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