Congrats, abasket!
Cool, abasket.
For a different type of overview of Marseille. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/finals/hosts/france/city=2201/index.html
Probably not your cup of tea, but soccer makes Marseille jump. The overview is simple and convenient to follow, and especially the travel parts.
Update and have some more questions on this trip!!!
43 days till our trip!
This weekend my French relatives and I firmed up plans for a 2 day, 1 night train trip from Marseille to Paris! So excited, this will be the perfect amount of time in our eyes. We leave early one day, have a 3 hour train trip and come back later in the evening the second day. They booked a flat - Mary’s Hotel - which will accommodate 5 of us. (80+ year old mom is not coming on the Paris portion of the trip) Best of all, they know the city and will make our visit so much easier.
So, the questions. We have our passports and plane tickets. I’ve secured a credit card with a chip and may get a second one. I don’t have a debit card. I have never used an ATM! If I get some Euros ahead of time, can I make do with my credit card for all able purchases and then the cash for other things? I know some mentioned that subways/city trains only take cash - how about most cafes/restaurants???
My cousins have recommended we and family members back here at home download the Viper app so we can make free calls in wireless. Any experience with Viper? And while I will check with our carrier, Verizon, can we use internet in wireless area there without charge or is that going to be using data??? Probably a stupid question, but I don’t know!
Let’s start with those two questions. 
You can probably use your credit card at an ATM. Check with your company about setting up a 4 digit pin number. You can get euros from your bank before you leave but usually the exchange rate is less favorable and carrying a chunk of cash around isn’t ideal.
Most restaurants/cafes should take credit cards.
You can use wireless without a data charge from a smart phone.
Thank you @doschicos!
So wireless there is the same as here? We have a cottage in Canada and I know if we are there and in wireless we are good to go, but don’t want to assume that in other places! I have an iPhone.
Ticket machines in the Paris Métro and RER take credit cards as do most restaurants and cafés and shops.
Totally the same! I don’t have an iphone but the kids do and use it for internet while abroad in lieu of bringing a laptop and without having phone coverage abroad. My understanding is that you put your phone in airplane mode.
Be sure to put your smartphone on “airplane mode” and keep it there… That way you can use wifi only and not get overseas data charges (which are outrageously expensive)
Great tip ^^^ thank you! By keeping it in “airplane mode” I’ll still be able to access wireless???
I suggest you’d take a look at the numerous conversations on CC about using a cell phone abroad.
Wireless can mean different things to different people. You should be able to use Wi-Fi at a number of places in France, and a number could be free. Having wireless data on your own phone is a different beast, and one that could be costly. The answer to the HUGE charges that could be generated abroad by merely roaming is to buy a local data chip aka a SIM card. Depending on the model of your iPhone, this could be a solution. You might check with Verizon to check their rates and check if the Iphone can be equipped with a French card. If it does, buying a chip for the few weeks would be a great tool. With that card, you will have Viper or Skype around the clock for communication and even a local number for calls and information. Your iPhone will continue to have the free iChat.
In so many words, you will be able to access the internet when locating a free wifi, but using cellular data for the same will not be free as you either buy a local chip or let your phone roam *and incur possibly huge charges.
If you are determined to keep your US number available during the trip, you might consider purchasing a cheap phone (or an older iPhone model) that accept a local chip. Your family members might get one ready for you and the cost should be minimal – perhaps around 50 dollars.
ATM and the use of your credit card should be no problem.
I see this thread has been revived. I’m heading to Paris Thursday night into CDG and flying out to Copenhagen from Orly the next day. Then I work my way back with study-abroad D to Amsterdam and Paris for a week.
Times have changed since I was last in Europe in 1993. Back then, it was a major achievement when I found a Paris hotel room I found in Frommer via snail mail. Now, it’s like booking a room in the next town over. I even rented an apartment in Paris for a week with VRBO.
I’ve never used Uber, but I’m ready to give it a try. Any experiences in Europe. I’m thinking it’s better to rely on it from airport to hotel than from hotel to airport. Or at least less stressful.
“By keeping it in “airplane mode” I’ll still be able to access wireless???”
Absolutely.
Personally, I find it just as easy to walk outside baggage claim at CDG and grab the next cab in the queue. For the return to the airport, the hotel can call a taxi, as it’s not like you’re trying to flag one down on the street. I’ve used Uber and am fine with them; this is just one of those instances when I don’t think it’s necessary.
We just returned from Italy. We bought plans from Verizon–$25 or $40 depending on your needs.
We ended up using a credit card without a chip and had zero problems.
Look into Capital 360–you load it with money and then use a 4 digit pin at ATM’s and have no fees. When back you have the left over $ transfered to your bank account. Be sure to try it while still home. H did not and his pin was too long so we ended up with some bank charges until that was straightened out.
From CDG, a good option is to connect with the rail service to the Gare du Nord. For Orly, a taxi is better.
Regarding airplane mode:
http://www.howtogeek.com/194421/what-does-airplane-mode-do-and-is-it-really-necessary/
or
Can I use Wi-Fi with the iPhone in airplane mode?
Yes, it’s possible to use Wi-Fi with the cellular radio off. To enter airplane mode:
Touch Settings → Airplane Mode ON
This turns off all radio activity including cellular antennas and Wi-Fi. Now while staying in airplane mode you can turn on Wi-Fi only.
Touch Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi ON
Could the airplane mode operate differently on various phones?
That is an option. I booked a hotel right on the rer B line. So I might just use that from CDG and to Orly, with a switch to the driverless train to Orly.
Isn’t uber cheaper than a taxi? Especially the ride sharing options?
^ Cheaper might not mean inexpensive from CDG to your hotel. You may want to get an estimate via the application. It probably depends on the number in the party. I think it would be expensive for a party of 1 in Uber. More passengers might make the train ride more expensive and less convenient.
http://parisbytrain.com/charles-de-gaulle-airport-cdg-to-paris-by-train/
I notice passengers don’t use this handy feature on airplane seats aboard int’l flights, so I’m wondering if maybe most people don’t know about it:
The headrest has “wings” you can bend forward to lock your head and keep it from flopping sideways so you don’t get a crick in your neck when you sleep.
Every airline I’ve flown on in economy for a long haul int’l flight has has this. I use it, and it does makes the flight less miserable.
@GMTplus7 Ewww economy?!?!
LOL. Yes, I am aware of the wings and take full advantage of them. Also, being rather tall, seatguru has been a friend to me so I don’t select a seat with the AVOD box underneath.