So one of my babies is going to France for a semester this week -

[hedgehog]

Any advice for a 19 year old landing alone at Charles De Gaulle?

[Breeze54]

1. That sounds like a great time for them!

I've never been there but I hope they have a great time!

How exciting! :D

[bicentennial_baby]

2. There are shuttles from CDG that will take you

to any of the major Metro Stations in Paris, such as Montparnasse, Gare du Nord, etc. Iirc, back in 05 the shuttle cost something like 7 Euro. Is he/she staying in Paris, or somewhere else?

:)

[kay1864]

3. Yes, the #1 piece of advice I give to people going to Europe:

Do not, not, NOT carry a purse or wallet. Wear a money belt. Pickpockets are everywhere (especially on the Metro), and they're very talented.

I myself was pickpocketed (all they got was my Metro map), and my friend had her belly bag opened by a guy standing in front of her on the Madrid Metro. My uncle lost his wallet from his front pants pocket on the London Tube, and didn't find out until he was out on the street.

These guys are good.

Mind you, actual muggings are rare, but if he/she carries a purse or wallet, pickpocketing is a definite risk. Wear a money belt and stay worry-free.

More advice:
1. Don't take traveler's checks. Waste of time to exchange. Just carry your ATM card, and get cash when you land at CDG.

2. I usually take the RER train from CDG into Paris, which connects to several Metro stations. PM me for details. You can also take the RoissyBus as mentioned above, but it's not as seamless with the Metro system.

Also, I've got a "What to do when you land in Paris" list in an email I'll try to dig up if you like.

[hedgehog]

4. She's supposed to be picked up at the airport by a shuttle from

the university. I'm curious as to the risk of pick pockets at the airport itself.

[kay1864]

5. Good thought..

Probably not too bad there--why would a pickpocketer go all the way to the airport, when there's lots more potential victims arriving every 3 minutes on the Metro?

Reminds me of my #2 piece of advice: Get to sleep right after dinner on the plane--*don't* watch the inflight movie (by the time it's over, it's 4 am in Paris, and you'll land in 3 hours). Better yet, buy dinner in the airport, carry it on the plane with you, eat shortly after takeoff, then take a sleeping pill and get a good 5-6 hours sleep. Greatly reduces jet lag.

[crimsonblue]

6. don't fall for the first dreamy frenchman that whispers in her ear...

:P

[bixente]

7. Vos enfant son tres beau, ils sont adoptes?

Tell her not to say this to a parent in the company of his or her children. :P

Crap joke. Sorry I couldn't offer some worthwhile advice.

[applegrove]

8. Stay away from strangers. Have fun!

[forthetroops]

9. Advice

Be good, and don't get into trouble. International legal issues are a &*&*&