Travel Requirements to France (Paris) from Melbourne

[mika_duffer]

Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I are flying out of Melbourne to Paris (via Doha) on the 20th of January (this Thursday):

We have paper copies of:
Our International COVID certificates (from Medicare app)
Our immunisation histories (from Medicare app)
Official declaration of no symptoms (the one titled "SWORN UNDERTAKING TO COMPLY WITH RULES FOR ENTRY
INTO METROPOLITAN FRENCH TERRITORY")
PDF printed Digitally completed EUdPLFs (think these can be done by hand on the plane but we've done it already anyway)
PENDING: Paper copy of rapid antigen test from lab completed the morning prior to departure (night time flight)

Is there anything else we are missing? I understand once we arrive we need to get a Pass Sanitaire from a pharmac_, is there anything else that we need to have with us to get on this plane (other than tickets and a passport haha)?!
Would love to discuss with someone that has travelled to France recently
Thanks in advance!

 

[Thibault]

I was in France from December 8 to January 10.
Flew with EY.

You have everything required to fly to France - you should be good to go.
An EU Vax certificate (Passe Sanitaire in French) is, as you mentioned necessary as my Australian certificate was not recognized.

Use this website to fill in your location and find a pharmac_ that will convert your vaccination certificate to the EU format. Obtenir un passe sanitaire en cas de vaccination à l’étranger
(Cant be more than Euro 36 per certificate issuance).

Also, download the 'Tous Anti Covid' app on your phone.
If you are getting your test done at Histopath, you can then scan the antigen result within the app directly.

I would also recommend a local phone plan just in case.
You can safely go with all 4 carriers but Free Mobile offers across France shops and automatic dispensers for a SIM Card. you can then set the expiry date and pay all upfront. Covers you with 210go of 5/4/3G in France and 25go across Europe.

Let me know if I can help any further.
Thibault

 

[mika_duffer]

Thank you so much Thibault. You have gone above and beyond for us!
Do we need our Passe Sanitaire to get onto the train into the city from CDG Airport? We have a pharmac_ quite close by our hotel but will we need to get it at a pharmac_ near the airport in order to be allowed on the train? And do you think we need to get this prior to check-in at the hotel? I can't see anything on the hotel's website regarding this
Thank you!

 

[Thibault]

Thank you so much Thibault. You have gone above and beyond for us!
Do we need our Passe Sanitaire to get onto the train into the city from CDG Airport? We have a pharmac_ quite close by our hotel but will we need to get it at a pharmac_ near the airport in order to be allowed on the train? And do you think we need to get this prior to check-in at the hotel? I can't see anything on the hotel's website regarding this
Thank you!

Of course - anytime !

- You do not need the Passe Sanitaire to take the train to reach your destination in Paris - which will be on the RER Network to reach Paris (on the RATP network). As usual, you would need a mask to ride trains, buses and tramways.

You only need a Passe Sanitaire if you are taking a TGV (high-speed trains across France), or a TER (regional train). You would also need one if you take a intercity bus or a flight within France.

- I would believe that the hotel will let you check-in with little issues using your Australian pass as they would be used to an international clientele.
Otherwise, if it's not possible, I would leave your bags at the reception and go to a pharmac_ near by to get your French equivalent pass.

- As you mentioned you will be using the RATP network in Paris,

May I suggest that you buy the Navigo Easy Pass at any vending machine?
Passe Navigo Easy - card
Forfait Navigo Jour - fares

It's Euro 2 per pass - and you can top it up using your smartphone. It allows you to skip all queues and do everything yourself and it's contactless.
You can then top up tickets and also passes for unlimited transport for a day (Euros 7.5 to 17.50 depending on where you would be going)

If you are staying longer in Paris or going to use public transport a lot, please buy the Navigo Decouverte card

Passe Navigo Découverte - card
Forfait Navigo Semaine - full pass

Euro 5 per card but you can load a full week of unlimited travel for Euro 22.80.
You do need a ID face photo to paste on the pass - so bring one with you if you are considering this pass.

- Also, in France we are doing pretty much everything with a credit/debit card. With Covid, more and more businesses are cashless just like in Australia so make sure to have a card handy.

If you are planning on using long distance trains, please use Trainline - best possible online agency to book all your train tickets across Europe.

Please let me know if you need any other details on anything.
I already miss home (Paris) so glad that you can fly there and enjoy France!

Thibault

 

[FlyingFiona]

If you are staying longer in Paris or going to use public transport a lot, please buy the Navigo Decouverte card

Passe Navigo Découverte - card
Forfait Navigo Semaine - full pass

Thibault

Salut Thibault,
I still have a Navigo card from a few years ago. I tried looking on line to see:
1) if the monthly cards are still by calendar month. (Stupidest system ever - everyone's recharging on the same days! Chaos.) And weekly on Sundays..? (Or is it Mondays?)
2) if you can recharge online once you have the card.

But I can't see the answer to either. Do you know?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Thibault]

Salut Thibault,
I still have a Navigo card from a few years ago. I tried looking on line to see:
1) if the monthly cards are still by calendar month. (Stupidest system ever - everyone's recharging on the same days! Chaos.) And weekly on Sundays..? (Or is it Mondays?)
2) if you can recharge online once you have the card.

But I can't see the answer to either. Do you know?
Thanks in advance!

Good evening -

Yes absolutely - see below :

1/ Monthly cards are from the first day of the month to the last day of the month (so calendar in that case.
For a weekly card, the pass is valid from Monday to Sunday. We can now charge the pass for the following week in advance using an automatic machine or your phone - see below :

2/ Yes, absolutely as well !

If you still have your card and have an iPhone or an Android device, you can now pay and download your fare into the pass using the NFC pass from your phone.
You need to download the following app and follow the prompts to pay and 'recharge' your pass from home.

See below :
Application Île-de-France Mobilités
Scroll down to the part 'how to pay for your Navigo Pass using your phone' - the page is in French so you will have to use Google Translate.

I hope this helps!

 

[FlyingFiona]

Good evening -

Yes absolutely - see below :

1/ Monthly cards are from the first day of the month to the last day of the month (so calendar in that case.
For a weekly card, the pass is valid from Monday to Sunday. We can now charge the pass for the following week in advance using an automatic machine or your phone - see below :

2/ Yes, absolutely as well !

If you still have your card and have an iPhone or an Android device, you can now pay and download your fare into the pass using the NFC pass from your phone.
You need to download the following app and follow the prompts to pay and 'recharge' your pass from home.

See below :
Application Île-de-France Mobilités
Scroll down to the part 'how to pay for your Navigo Pass using your phone' - the page is in French so you will have to use Google Translate.

I hope this helps!

Merci Thibault!

Very comprehensive and helpful!