eco82

I'm traveling to Paris this April with my 6 month old baby. We're staying near l'Eglise de la Madeleine / Gare Ste Lazare. I will not have a car but will have a stroller for the baby. Any advice on the best way to get from the airport to Paris? Train, shuttle, etc?

Jay_G

I'd suggest taking the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord, then changing lines to the RER 'E' to Haussman St. Lazare.

As you've got a stroller, it shouldn't be too much of a problem and from experience, there are always people willing to lend a hand helping you up a staircase if needed. If you've got one, I'd suggest taking a harness/sling/papoose or similar to carry your baby around Paris, purely to make manoeuvring through the streets a little easier.

I'm not sure about shuttles but I know that taxis in Paris are legally required to carry infant passengers in car seats, which the passenger has to provide (although for short journeys in central Paris, they often overlook this), but I personally wouldn't want to risk a long(ish) journey with a baby on my lap and you might find that the driver wouldn't want to either.

On a side note, be prepared for endless cooing over your baby and any number of strangers wanting to talk to you both.

grandmere

I would take either a taxi or private shuttle especially if you are traveling alone with the baby. A private shuttle (meaning that your party will be the only ones in the car) that many of us on here have used is Shuttle-Inter. The driver will meet you outside baggage claim with your name on a placard and take your baggage to the car. You make the reservation online and don't pay anything until you reach your destination; must be paid in euro, however, 55 euro total for up to three passengers. I heartily recommend the service and personally would not consider taking RER (train) with a baby, luggage, etc.
www.shuttle-inter.com

kerouac

The train will be much safer for traveling with an infant.

Celticharper

I'm sorry but I can't imagine manageing a baby in a stroller, the associated diaper bag as well as luggage on the RER alone at anytime, much less after a long flight.

My vote would be for the shuttle, they may have child safety seats available. I wouldn't consider it a splurge it would be well worth the expense.

StCirq

I'm guessing it's childless guys who recommend taking the train, not women who've traveled solo with a baby and luggage. I've done the train thing, once, with a baby and stroller and luggage. Never again. Take a taxi Parisien or a shuttle.

Jay_G

It's honestly not that bad Celticharper. I've done it a few times and as long as your luggage has a sturdy shoulder strap, it's no worse than taking it without a pushchair/stroller.

The wide aisles on the trains and ample standing areas near the doors make it perfect for traveling with a small child as you're rarely in anyone's way, don't need to pick them up out of the stroller to fold it (the stroller, not the child) and can keep an eye out for your stop without blocking anyone's path.

It also allows you to soak up the adoring the glances of the women on the train as they make doe eyes at you and your baby. Well it does for me anyway.

Luisah

I've traveled with children and can't imagine a woman alone taking a six-month old, a stroller and luggage on a train.

It may work if you're traveling only with the stroller and a shoulder bag, but are you? Or do you have additional luggage?

Check on shuttles and read reviews here, some of them have a reputation for being unreliable and you don't need that.

Does the stroller convert to a car seat? If it does, I'd take a taxi.

StCirq

<<The wide aisles on the trains and ample standing areas near the doors make it perfect for traveling with a small child as you're rarely in anyone's way, don't need to pick them up out of the stroller to fold it (the stroller, not the child) and can keep an eye out for your stop without blocking anyone's path.The wide aisles on the trains and ample standing areas near the doors make it perfect for traveling with a small child as you're rarely in anyone's way, don't need to pick them up out of the stroller to fold it (the stroller, not the child) and can keep an eye out for your stop without blocking anyone's path.>>

During the morning rush hour, which is when most folks arriving from the USA would end up on the RER, there's often barely room to stand and breathe. It's so crowded that it's very easy not to be able to maneuver your way with baby and luggage to the door to get off at the right stop, even if you start when the train leaves the preceding stop. Don't ask me how I know this. And I didn't even have a stroller.

kerouac

My only reference was to the increased possibility of getting into an accident, which is infinitely higher on the Autoroute du Nord than on the RER.

Margaretlb

How about considering the Air France bus from CDG to central Paris? Here's the link. Click on "Lines, information and fares" under the picture:
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm

You do NOT have to fly Air France to use their bus service.

grandmere

The Shuttle-Inter car I was riding in last trip had a child's seat which the driver put in trunk; I did not pay attention as to whether it was for infants or toddlers, but you could inquire about the availability of what you need.

I would not even take the Air France bus; what happens when you get to central Paris with baby, luggage, stroller,etc.?

I'd make this as easy on myself as possible.

padams421

Another vote for a private shuttle. Request an infant seat.

avalon

Yes, the shuttle services will inquire if you need a car seat when making the reservation.

FrankS

RER would be hard. Rossiey Bus stops behind the Opera, so thats the low cost choice. Shuttle or Taxi better but more expensive

eco82

thank you so much for all the replies. i'm investigating the private shuttle option.... both shuttle inter and air france.

FrankS

Air France doesnt drop off near where you want to be. Roissey( I spelled it wrong earlier) Bus is your best budget choice, it drops off at the Opera which is close to your destination.

http://www.paristoolkit.com/airport/paris_cdg_bus.htm

jules2305

Sin contest, take a bus called the Roissy Bus which Termial Station is Opera, not very far from La Madeleine and Gare Saint Lazare.

Luisah

Are you stayinga at a hotel, If so, ask them for shuttle recommendations.

Another take on Shuttle Inter:

mms on Dec 13, 09 at 12:06pm

"On our last trip, we used the private shuttle called Shuttle Inter. They were not there as promised when we arrived, and it took several phone calls before they showed up. ... we reconfirmed with the driver for our return trip, and then during the week I reconfirmed via email just to be sure. The day we were leaving they were a no show. Good thing we were only a few blocks from the Place de Opera taxi stand. ...anyway, a taxi was there at 5:30am, which saved us from missing our flight. The cost was 39 euro, so much cheaper than the shuttle would have been. Granted, it was early in the morning so not a lot of traffic."

Bitter

Will you not have a car seat from the flight? (If you are coming from the US, I hope you aren't carrying the baby the entire flight!)

We did this w/ a 2.5 year old a number of years back (I think it was CDG). At that time (or our terminal) required a shuttle bus, so we ended up taking a shuttle bus (crowded); metro/rer to Nord, and then a taxi. I've kicked myself ever since. Should have gotten a taxi or shuttle and been done with it.