DebitNM

Next week, Tuesday around 4pm we (2 of us) are headed from Gare de Lyon to CDG. We considered Air France bus but for about $10 more we can take Uber at $45.

I know there were issues in Paris with Uber and wonder if:
1) is the situation settled?
2) has anyone used Uber for this?

The attraction over taking a taxi is that it's a set fee, so no surprises and prearranged credit card payment. I also have a 20€ credit.

Your thoughts insights?
Thanks~

neckervd

There are frequent trains too

PalenQ

It's so easy to go by RER to CDG and much much cheaper - may be the fastest way too at times - a simply change of platforms at Gare du Nord may be required. Takes you right into terminal 2.

kellyee21

Isn't the price they quote an estimation?

greg

What you are looking at is the cost of a BEST CASE scenario.

You can also view this from EXPECTED cost scenarios. This requires some probability assumptions.

If you think Uber is super reliable, alternate options - missed flight, taxi, etc, can be expensive since you presume it rarely happens.

If you think is Uber is iffy, but worth trying, you want acceptable alternate options. For example, book Uber to get to the airport much earlier so even if there is a foul up, you can still not miss your flight and be able to get to CDG using public transports.

ribeirasacra

1) is the situation settled? For most of Europe the word is no. London is in the balance at the moment.
English news about UBER in Paris: Scan down to the bottom for news about Paris
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/1...urt-case/?_r=0
http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/9/94...paris-fare-cut

Christina

I would hope if they were not allowed, the app would not work and they wouldn't dare to show up. But I don't really know (the kind of Uber with professional drivers was allowed in France, I thought, but not the kind with average blokes driving around).

I also wonder how that's a guarantee if it isn't a promise of a flat rate? I didn't think Uber had flat rates. I really don't understand the advantage of Uber over the Air France bus which DOES have a flat rate IF you are already at Gare de Lyon. I could understand the advantage if you weren't. And you know the AF bus is legal and is less dangerous, I would think. I could even understand if you weren't the last stop on the AF bus, but that is. Traffic is traffic for both.

I could understand wanting to use the credit, though.

Sarastro

Uber Pop has been banned in France but otherwise Uber is operating without restriction. Uber surge pricing is also alive and well in Paris.

Any number you are using as a price comparison is only an estimate and Uber could cost you a great deal more when you actually want to travel. If you are near Gare de Lyon, the AF bus is very comfortable and only 17€ each.

kerouac

Uber is giving you a rate in dollars?

pariswat

Come back after and tell us.

Gretchen

I don't think a taxi would be much different from your $45. More certain.

PalenQ

FMI Where can Uber pick folks up at stations like this - in the cab ranks out front of Gare de Lyon - can't fathom Parisian taxi drivers allowing this- do you have to walk to Uber?

Again the RER is so so easy.

kerouac

DebitNM may be travelling with steamer trunks.

swandav2000

When using the RER, I would suggest that you check the ratp.fr app to check the timetable.

For instance, I'll be in Paris in November and will be going to CDG to pick up a friend at the airport on 21 November. However, on 21 November, there is some work on RER B, with a replacement bus, so travellers will have to make further changes, which is time-consuming and problematic with suitcases after an overseas flight.

This is the message you get for 21-22 November on RER B:

Travaux en cours : À partir du samedi 21 novembre 2015 à 05h00, en raison de travaux, le trafic sera interrompu entre les gares Aulnay-sous-Bois et Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV sur la ligne B du RER jusqu'au dimanche 22 novembre 2015 fin de service. Une navette de remplacement est mise à votre disposition.

So, a good idea to double check!

s

fuzzbucket

Uber taxis are prohibited to pick up passengers at or near the official TAXI stands. Other arrangements must be made to find a suitable pickup spot. Since the cars have no identifying marks, it's often like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

A regular Parisian taxi is really a lot easier, and all you really need. You can bring your own candy and bottled water.

DonTopaz

I've taken the Air France bus, and it's way, way more comfortable than the RER. Once the bus departs, the travel time is about the same as a taxi, unless you're headed to Terminal 1. (The AF bus makes a couple of stops at T2 before heading to T1.)

The advantage of the RER is that it isn't affected by traffic, which at 4pm could be moderately heavy. OTOH, the RER will also likely be crowded at that hour, and you'd need to change trains, as well.

Dukey1

The attraction over a taxi is a set fee...

the Air France bus is also a "set fee"

I cannot believe some Uber driver is going to sit anywhere in traffic and still charge you a set fee

As to the cost difference between Uber and a regular cab, last time we took a cab out to CDG it was around the 60 Euro level and that was waaaaay before daybreak and Paris traffic.

I'm gonna be blunt: there's nothing wrong with trying to save some money but sometimes the money saved just doesn't seem worth the hassle but I guess that depends on what you think a hassle consists of.