paging (faux) frogs

a question about the Parisien public transport system. I sometimes
seem to buy the wrong ticket i.e. at Gare du Nord I use the machine
and select "La Defense" as my destination, but when I get to the other
end, the ticket won't let me through the barriers. I want to avoid
this now I'm going to be there more often.

I know there's no equivalent to the Oyster Card that we have in
London, but what would be the best option for someone in my position
i.e. will be in Paris every two-three weeks, and need to travel mostly
just between Gare du Nord and La Defense, but occasionally into
central Paris (AXA Group headquarters is on the Rue Matignon). Is
there a book of tickets or something I can buy, and if so, what one do
I need (and even more hopefully, how much does it cost?)

ta.

 

IANAFF but isn't the LUL Carnet ticket based on the original one used
on the Metro?

<fx:googles>

11.10 euros for 10 tickets.

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-metro-tickets.htm

 

The problem may be coming from the fact that the métro station La
Défense is in zone 2, but the RER station by the same name is in zone 3.
Do you buy the ticket at an automated thingy or does a 'real' person
sell it?

If you just use the métro, zone 2 will do you but the RER is faster to
La Défense (even though not direct, i.e. you'll need line B to Châtelet,
and then line A to La Défense). For the latter, you'll need zones 1-3.

The pass you want is called a 'navigo', and costs 70.80¤ for three zones
for one month. If your employer is French (duh...), they reimburse you
50% of that, but I have no idea where your situation would come in, as
technically speaking, you live in the UK.

If you're still stuck, reply to this post, and I'll go down to the métro
station here (no way am I calling the cocksucking premium rate line) and
ask them how much zones 1-2 cost, and why you keep encountering the
problem mentioned in the first paragraph.

D.

 

The problem with the carnet (IIRC) is that the tickets are 'zone
urbaine', i.e. zones 1 and 2 only. La Défense RER station is in zone 3.

D.

 

ah - I did wonder if it were something like that.

no, I tend to get them from the automated machines.

No, I use the RER via Châtelet, as you suggest (though when I was
there last week line B wasn't running due to industrial action, and I
had to use D). I hadn't noticed that despite being in the same
physical location that La Defense was in a different zone dependant on
whether you were using the Metro or the RER. The RER is much faster,
though - and it may be my imagination or just bad luck - but it seems
to be getting slower. A couple of years back I could get from Gare du
Nord to La Defense in ~25 minutes, but I haven't done it quicker than
~35 this year.

That seems quite high compared to buying single tickets - remember I'm
probably only going to make 6-10 trips per month.

technically speaking, as I'll pay for the thing on my corporate Visa
card, my employers will pay for all of my foreign travel expenses.

If you're still stuck, reply to this post, and I'll go down to the
métro

no, that should be enough info, ta.

 

I've no idea _why_ they do it that way, though. Typical French
'efficiency', sans doute...

When you arrive at the Gare du Nord, try taking line 2 (dark blue),
direction Porte de Dauphine, getting off at Charles de Gaulle-Étoile and
getting onto the RER there. It _might_ not be any slower, except that
you'll probably have a bit of a walk at the Gare du Nord as IIRC, line 2
goes through La Chapelle...

Ah, OK. In that case, a carnet should do you. When you go those
machines (I assume you mean the one with the 'roller' that you spin
around and then press the green button to select?), you can buy a carnet
for zone 3, but you need to specify it.

**** 'em, then. Get yourself a Navigo pass for three zones, and you
just swan through the turnstiles.

https://www.navigo.fr/

D.

 

Qu'a-t-il dit?

 

Only poor people use the RER/Metro. Get a bike. I'll look after it for
you.

 

ta.

 

what, and every time I need it, you'll deliver/collect from Gare du
Nord in a timely manner?

 

Well I use it and I'm not 'poor'.

D.

 

If I find the time, yes.

Otherwise you'll need to catch the RER.

 

Quelque chose au sujet de chicorée.

 

You'll be drinking that Camp coffee next