9hrs layover in France with infant
Sep 9th, 2011, 12:02 PM
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9hrs layover in France with infant
Traveling with husband and baby from US with 9hr layover in France. Wondering if we can do a day trip in France, at least, see the eiffel tower or other tourist attraction close to the airport.
If possible, what mode of transit. Also, are babies required to be in car seat in France?
If by train, please tell me the route to take to see eiffel tower.Also, would it be better to try out the cafes in eiffel tower while we are there already.
Aside from the eiffel tower, what other spot can we see.
Also, how many hrs do we need to get back to airport and check in again with our connecting flight to Italy.
Thanks.
If possible, what mode of transit. Also, are babies required to be in car seat in France?
If by train, please tell me the route to take to see eiffel tower.Also, would it be better to try out the cafes in eiffel tower while we are there already.
Aside from the eiffel tower, what other spot can we see.
Also, how many hrs do we need to get back to airport and check in again with our connecting flight to Italy.
Thanks.
Sep 9th, 2011, 12:54 PM
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What airport are you flying into/out of? That makes a difference. Where are you coming from? That makes a difference on flight time, and how tired/jet lagged you might be, and how cranky your kid is.
All I am saying is that you have not given enough information for us to help you intelligently.
(Oh, BTW, you flagged this thread as a trip report, and it is not.)
All I am saying is that you have not given enough information for us to help you intelligently.
(Oh, BTW, you flagged this thread as a trip report, and it is not.)
Sep 9th, 2011, 01:02 PM
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You certainly have time to go into Paris if you wish. With travel time, you'll probably have about 4 hours in Paris.
Now for the negative. I know it's an iconic sight, but I can't imagine a more horrible experience than having to stand in a long line to see the Eiffel Tower with no sleep and a cranky baby. I would find an airport hotel (the Ibis is probably the cheapest but there are nicer options too) and get some sleep before the flight. But I certainly understand the interest in seeing something in Paris if you have never been there.
With a small child (and possibly hand luggage), I think it's worth the investment to take a taxi, even though it's expensive. You need a reservation to eat lunch at the Eiffel Tower (and men may have to wear a jacket), but there's a casual cafe on the middle level where you can get coffee and a pastry (nothing to write home about). There are places by the river where you can buy ice cream and crepes and other junk food (actually, taking the . If you stroll through the Champs des Mars, which is a lovely park, you will find some restaurants where you can have lunch before heading back to the airport.
If you are willing to limit yourself to a photo op, taking the Batobus along the river might be a more relaxing with a child and would give you a look at many iconic Paris sights even if you didn't get off (you can also get off and see the Louvre and Notre Dame most easily if you do this). I think you'd have time to do this.
I'd be back with plenty of time (at least 2 hours ahead of the flight). Security at CDG can be tiresome and long.
Now for the negative. I know it's an iconic sight, but I can't imagine a more horrible experience than having to stand in a long line to see the Eiffel Tower with no sleep and a cranky baby. I would find an airport hotel (the Ibis is probably the cheapest but there are nicer options too) and get some sleep before the flight. But I certainly understand the interest in seeing something in Paris if you have never been there.
With a small child (and possibly hand luggage), I think it's worth the investment to take a taxi, even though it's expensive. You need a reservation to eat lunch at the Eiffel Tower (and men may have to wear a jacket), but there's a casual cafe on the middle level where you can get coffee and a pastry (nothing to write home about). There are places by the river where you can buy ice cream and crepes and other junk food (actually, taking the . If you stroll through the Champs des Mars, which is a lovely park, you will find some restaurants where you can have lunch before heading back to the airport.
If you are willing to limit yourself to a photo op, taking the Batobus along the river might be a more relaxing with a child and would give you a look at many iconic Paris sights even if you didn't get off (you can also get off and see the Louvre and Notre Dame most easily if you do this). I think you'd have time to do this.
I'd be back with plenty of time (at least 2 hours ahead of the flight). Security at CDG can be tiresome and long.
Sep 9th, 2011, 01:05 PM
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By the way, assuming you don't want to pay for a taxi, there is an RER stop by the Eiffel Tower, but I'm not sure where you change to get there from CDG (I'm assuming this is where you're coming from).
And be careful on the RER train from the airport if you go that route. Pickpockets are frequently there to take advantage of sleepy tourists and their luggage.
And be careful on the RER train from the airport if you go that route. Pickpockets are frequently there to take advantage of sleepy tourists and their luggage.
Sep 9th, 2011, 01:49 PM
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roannetony: who booked your flights? They seem to be especially inconvenient (saw your Amsterdam thread). Is there any way you can have them changed? I know how unlikely that is, but wow, you have a very difficult itinerary for people traveling with a baby.
Sep 9th, 2011, 04:06 PM
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IMO, 9 hrs. is a short time to try to get into Paris with a 6 mo. old baby after a transatlantic flight, but if I did it, I sure wouldn't spend the time standing in the lines at the ET. I second the idea of checking into an airport hotel and spending the time resting up for your next flight. Baby won't know that he/she is supposed to be on European time and may be awake and rarin' to go when you finally get to Italy. You don't need to be exhausted at that point.
It must be frustrating to think of being so close and not getting to see the sights of Paris, but you are going on to Italy where presumably you will be able to do lots of sightseeing.
It must be frustrating to think of being so close and not getting to see the sights of Paris, but you are going on to Italy where presumably you will be able to do lots of sightseeing.
Sep 9th, 2011, 05:54 PM
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Hi,
I don't want to throw cold water on your plans because I do understand desiring to sieze every sightseeing opportunity that you can, but I think sightseeing with a 6 month old after a transatlantic flight will be really tough on everyone. If you do it, make sure you are bringing either a stroller you know your baby can nap in or a baby backpack/carrier that you know baby will nap in. We love our Beco Butterfly baby carrier and we used it constantly in Greece when our son was 7 months old. We found that while our son normally sleeps just fine in his stroller, when he was in an unfamilar environment, he slept best in the carrier right next to mom. I will always treasure the memories I have of seeing so many sights with my precious son snoozing curled right up against my heart.
I don't want to throw cold water on your plans because I do understand desiring to sieze every sightseeing opportunity that you can, but I think sightseeing with a 6 month old after a transatlantic flight will be really tough on everyone. If you do it, make sure you are bringing either a stroller you know your baby can nap in or a baby backpack/carrier that you know baby will nap in. We love our Beco Butterfly baby carrier and we used it constantly in Greece when our son was 7 months old. We found that while our son normally sleeps just fine in his stroller, when he was in an unfamilar environment, he slept best in the carrier right next to mom. I will always treasure the memories I have of seeing so many sights with my precious son snoozing curled right up against my heart.
Sep 13th, 2011, 02:09 PM
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Thanks for the advices..For Doug_ Stalling,If I do take the taxi, What is the law with carseats in France. If I opt for batobus, pls give me directions on how to initiate that,because I am totally clueless. Also, I heard that the line in Eiffel tower can be very long but is there anyway we can get the tickets online? If we opt to not go up the ET, we can still have a photo of the eiffel tower in the park that you mentioned.
Sep 13th, 2011, 02:22 PM
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I'm sorry, but I know nothing about car seats in France. I hope someone else can help you with that.
Since you know nothing about Paris, I'd strongly recommend buying a guidebook so you can do a little research. You do need to do a little research on Batobus on your own to see what stop makes the most sense for you. I'd probably opt to get on closer to Notre Dame and then ride up to the Eiffel Tower, but look at where Batobus goes; I'm sure a taxi driver can help you. If the Eiffel Tower is your primary destination, it might make more sense to take the taxi directly there. Someone who knows Paris better than I can may be able to help you make that decision, but you really should not rely on forums to help you with these fine details. Do your homework and learn more about what you want to do.
You can now buy Eiffel Tower tickets online, but they are timed, and you have to make the time. That's where it's harder for me to give you advice since I really have no idea how long it will take you to get through customs and get a taxi into Paris. Depending on the day, the trip can take a while. And I don't know how much time that saves you ... I'm sure a lot, but you need to have your timing down.
Since you know nothing about Paris, I'd strongly recommend buying a guidebook so you can do a little research. You do need to do a little research on Batobus on your own to see what stop makes the most sense for you. I'd probably opt to get on closer to Notre Dame and then ride up to the Eiffel Tower, but look at where Batobus goes; I'm sure a taxi driver can help you. If the Eiffel Tower is your primary destination, it might make more sense to take the taxi directly there. Someone who knows Paris better than I can may be able to help you make that decision, but you really should not rely on forums to help you with these fine details. Do your homework and learn more about what you want to do.
You can now buy Eiffel Tower tickets online, but they are timed, and you have to make the time. That's where it's harder for me to give you advice since I really have no idea how long it will take you to get through customs and get a taxi into Paris. Depending on the day, the trip can take a while. And I don't know how much time that saves you ... I'm sure a lot, but you need to have your timing down.
Sep 13th, 2011, 03:13 PM
#11
Do you land early in the morning? If so, you really don't have 9 hours. Many transatlantic flights land in the morning so the plane may have to wait for a gate and immigration lines can be very long.
So count on at least 90 mins to 2 hours at the airport. Then you have to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. Basically you will use up 6 hours at the airport and traveling back and forth.
Plus you'll have to lug all your carry on bags and baby gear with you. So it will be a real slog.
So count on at least 90 mins to 2 hours at the airport. Then you have to be back at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight. Basically you will use up 6 hours at the airport and traveling back and forth.
Plus you'll have to lug all your carry on bags and baby gear with you. So it will be a real slog.
Sep 13th, 2011, 11:20 PM
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I just don't think you're going to pull this off, or if you do, you'll be totally wasted for the next leg of your trip.
I agree that your itinerary seems entirely convoluted - who booked this? Can you change it?
The best thing you could probably do is hop in a taxi with your luggage and go to Senlis or Chantilly for lunch or something, then back to the airport. I just cannot imagine schlepping into Paris with a baby and luggage, standing in long lines to see the Tour Eiffel, then schlepping back to catch another flight. Simply unreasonable.
And no, you won't have 9 hours. More like 5-6 at most.
I agree that your itinerary seems entirely convoluted - who booked this? Can you change it?
The best thing you could probably do is hop in a taxi with your luggage and go to Senlis or Chantilly for lunch or something, then back to the airport. I just cannot imagine schlepping into Paris with a baby and luggage, standing in long lines to see the Tour Eiffel, then schlepping back to catch another flight. Simply unreasonable.
And no, you won't have 9 hours. More like 5-6 at most.
