McLisa

Next summer I would like to try using Airbnb in Europe. We are departing from Paris (CDG airport). My concern is the airport shuttle options. I wrote to the individual who hosts the apartment (near Eiffel Tower) I'm interested in. She only suggested a taxi, estimating it to be 50-60 Euros.

This past summer I was in Paris. Through my hotel (in Latin quarter, 5th), we were able to book an airport shuttle (van) for 18 Euros each (2 of us). That is significantly cheaper than a 50-60 Euro taxi ride!

Do any of you have suggestions of reliable airport shuttle vans that I could order which would come to a private apartment? Thanks for your help.

Sarastro

Shuttle vans in Paris are notably unreliable. I don´t know anyone other than the unsuspecting tourist who uses them.

If you want to save money, you can take the RER B from CDG and connect to any métro station in the city for only 10€.

Guenmai

McLisa: I've been taking Paris shuttles for well over a decade and have never had a problem with any of them, even from rented apartments back to CDG and as for only tourists taking them, bull. Also, friends have also taken them and without problems. One friend met me at my rented apartment, as he had flown in from another part of the East Coast. He took the shuttle service from CDG to the apartment and then back to CDG and without any problems. I did the same although we didn't even arrive into Paris or leave Paris at the same time.

I call the shuttle service to reconfirm my pick up time back to CDG.

The apartment that I rent has a landline phone that I can use for both Paris local calls and long distance calls to the U.S. and for free. But, if your rented apartment doesn't have a phone, but you have a cell phone, then you can use it.

Once while staying with my Parisian friend, an ordered taxi, that he had ordered for me, didn't show up and I had to get to CDG. Thank goodness my friend was home and was able to run back up to his apartment, look up another taxi company, and have that taxi come to get me while I waited on the street, with luggage, and in the rain trying to see if I spotted the first taxi which never showed up.

On this most recent trip, I was in Paris on a very spur-of-the-moment trip in June/July 2015 and took a taxi to the 6th, from CDG, and it cost me 69,50 Euros whereas the shuttle back to CDG cost me 18 Euro. I totally understand where you're coming from and I wasn't about to drag luggage onto the RER and metro and up a bunch of stairs. Been there, done that, many times, many years. No more.

I can't remember the name of the shuttle company that my hotel called for me on this last trip, but the driver was really nice and showed up 15 minutes early. I wrote the name down somewhere, but it's not in my journal. Now, I'll need to search for it as I remember asking the driver the name when he let me out at CDG. I scribbled it on something as my hands were full dealing with luggage.

A friend of mine took Super Shuttle a few years ago and said all went well with her and the shuttle service. I haven't taken that service in Paris, but have here at home in L.A. over many years.

So, you have options and can decide on what will work best for you. In the situation of shuttles, when booking online, I just click for it to come 30 minutes earlier than the suggested pick up time in case something happens. I do the same here at home. But, 18 Euros sure beats 69,50 Euros and it all beats dragging luggage into the RER and then up a bunch of metro stairs.

Have a great trip!

Happy Travels!

Guenmai

McLisa: Maybe the below links will be of help to you. I've bookmarked them for myself as I will be taking shuttles on my upcoming summer trip to Paris.

http://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Pa...27PARAPTHTLCDG

Happy Travels!

pariswat

McLisa
Tell us if everything was ok.

Guenmai : count me as a bull then. And all my french colleagues. None of us have ever taken a shuttle, we all take cabs.

But I guess you know better, we only live in Paris and take regularly the taxi.

Now, from work we all take the RER B.

Ackislander

Pariswat, that is an uncharacteristically silly answer. You are a local, and the other posters are visitors.

Visitors are often on a budget and the €100 difference between €69 and €18 each way is significant, especially when visitors have lots of time.

brizzieLizzie

McLisa,

I had a similar issue last year. I booked a shared shuttle with Paris Shuttle via Viator ( as per link above).

Once booked I confirmed direct with Paris Shuttle the time of pickup so I could be waiting downstairs when the driver arrived.

Driver arrived on time, we had one other pick up and arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare.

Sarastro

<i>Visitors are often on a budget </i>

A lot of people are on budgets, not just visitors. The train is only 10€, why waste money on a shared ride shuttle? If you have a lot of time and are concerned about transportation costs, the 350 and the 351 buses will take you to central Paris for the price of 3 tickets t+ or less than 4.50€.

McLisa

I will use public transport all days in Paris EXCEPT the morning we need to go to CDG airport. I have done that trek many times with luggage in other countries, and I'm not interested in doing it in Paris next year. (I'm not a young college student anymore!) Too much of a struggle w/ other commuters plus our bulky luggage. So I definitely want a shuttle to the airport.

Thank you all. I will look up viator. Thank you esp Guenmai for your kind & thoughtful response.

Gretchen

While I agree with not using the RER or such on departure, "bulky luggage" might be pared down!!
We just build a taxi on arrival and departure into our budget. And for two people, the difference between a shuttle and taxi is NOT that great--maybe 7E (50E for two, split vs. 18E for shuttle)--not what Ack said (and he is usually right on).
I am assuming OP is a duo, because it seems to be what is being said--but the pronouns are mixed up somewhat!!.

McLisa

Sorry, yes, I am travelling with my daughter. We will each have one suitcase, and they are what they are. They cannot be pared down. And I don't want to drag them around the metro with crowds. I am 50 now and allowing myself this luxury.

Dukey1

McLisa, take the shuttle and forget about it, OK? Nobody needs any explanations about your decisions.

Sarastro

If I were to take a shuttle somewhere, going to the airport would not be it. I do not have the confidence in shuttles that some here have and I make more trips between Paris and CDG in a couple of months than many of my fellow posters will make in their lifetimes.

I would keep the phone number available of a taxi, just in case:

Taxi G7
English speaking operator 01 41 27 66 99

apersuader65

Check the area around your apartment for a taxi stand. Walk to the stand and get the next cab. 69 euro is on the high end of estimates for a cab for two, but either way, its not more than 34 each. I've shuttled once (it was late on the return to CDG making us rush, RER'd, and cabbed. The peace of getting a cab at a stand and heading directly there would be worth the extra 16 euro, (assuming it is that high) and staying near the Eiffel Tower will likely have several cab stands near your apartment.

apersuader65

Sorry, I misread your post. From CDG to your apartment, then ordering a shuttle isn't an issue, because if they don't show, you can simply walk to the taxi queue and be at you apartment soon enough. If you have a time frame/deadline, then I'd avoid the shuttle.

Easiest method for me would be to just go to Expedia and use the Things to do tab. Enter Paris and your date(s). Scroll to the bottom and the shuttle can be purchased now for $20.55 right now for whatever dates you have.

Gretchen

I think she is wanting it FROM apartment TO CDG. It is two people. I still suggest a taxi is easier and more reliable for going to the airport and it is 15-20E for two difference. Peace of mind is a good thing.

Should we bring up whether the apartment is a legal rental?

pariswat

To clarify (and I appreciate the 'uncharacteristic'
(and Guen got under my skin).

Shuttles propose 18 €, but usualy will need to combine with several people - at least this is what I saw on the last ad I saw for a shuttle (can't rememebr which one).
If you're the only customer, for whatever reason, you won't get a shuttle for 18 €.

On the site below, they say you can have a ride started at 16 €.

on the second site http://www.parishuttle.com/paris_private_transfer.php

(not even in French ... so much for those who say we take the shuttle...)

Number of person
1/4
5/8
Rates* 75 € 90 €

(So yes, if you are 4 you pay 75, if you are 8 you pay 90, or 12 per person !) 75 € for 4 how does it compare to a taxi of 55-60 € ? Significantly cheaper ?

Rates per van, per way *. Rates in $ are only indicative and depending on the currency fluctuation.


http://www.parisshuttleservice.com/f...FUe3GwodVvEHnw

Aéroport Paris CDG

Service privé CDG
Service navette CDG
A partir de 16€


But they didn't pick up when I called and I couldn't find a tariff (only a cell phone available, I don't like it - means they may not even have a fiscal address).

So either you pay about 75 € or you wait for other guests to show to fill the shuttle.
And on top of it you have the risk of the shuttle not showing up - when I was on another forum, I used to see shuttle horror stories on a weekly basis.

There is a reason why we don't take the shuttle.
But my post was quite short. I confess - mea culpa, I'll do one Ave Maria and 2 'Notre Père'. With a glass of Waterloo triple blond.

Mvg.

fuzzbucket

How are you getting to the apartment, anyhow? Why not call the same people? Or maybe this isn't possible.

If you really want to spend your valuable time trying to hunt down a shuttle service with direct service to wherever you're staying, then I suggest you also Google your address and look for hotels that are within easy walking distance. Then go fishing for reliable shuttles which will pick up at one of those hotels - but remember that your time is money and this will take some effort.

Someone mentioned looking for a taxi stand, but depending on the time of day you're leaving, you might wait a long time for one to show up. Personally, I don't think any of this is worth it, especially on the day of departure when things will be crazy enough already.

If I were traveling to the airport with one other passenger and baggage, it would be worth it to me to pay twice the price of a shuttle, just to get to the airport on time. You can reserve online or on the phone with the extremely reputable G7 Taxis, in English. Peace of mind will be worth much more than the taxi fare - which is really not a big fortune, when you think about it.

suze

I agree with the take a taxi votes. The $14 difference would not be enough for me to be messing around with a shuttle service.

apersuader65

<<<We are departing from Paris (CDG airport). My concern is the airport shuttle options. I wrote to the individual who hosts the apartment (near Eiffel Tower) I'm interested in. She only suggested a taxi, estimating it to be 50-60 Euros. >>>>>

Kind of ambiguous language. I can read it both ways -CDG to Apt and Apt to CDG.

I'd take a taxi either way.