I have about 20 hours to spend in paris,what can i do?
May 4th, 2013, 05:08 PM
#1
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I have about 20 hours to spend in paris,what can i do?
I have about 20 hours to spend in paris ... i want to go Eiffel tower.. can I rent a car from the airport in Paris , and drive it with a Canadian driver licence also,, what other sightseeing places can I pass by or can do from the airport to the Eiffel tower.. also we are going with 2 kids so we can looking for a family restaurant ... that's kids would be about to eat from...
plus we do want to settle in a hotel beside the airport for a few hours at night before we take out next flight to out other destination
plus we do want to settle in a hotel beside the airport for a few hours at night before we take out next flight to out other destination
May 5th, 2013, 06:38 AM
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Take the RER train into the city and back out to CDG. There is nothing to see on the way into Paris from CDG.
You might consider a boat ride on the Seine to see many of the main monuments (Notre Dame, ET). You will not have trouble finding restaurants that the kids can find something in but I avoid restaurants in highly tourists areas (poor quality, overpriced). Street vendor crepes are a good on the go meal or snack.
How old are the kids? A picnic in Luxembourg Gardens would be nice. You don't really have time to stand in line to get into museums or climb the ET (which I never do anyway).
If you want a little museum experience, L'Orangerie is much smaller than D'Orsay and the Louvre but has the massive Monet canvases in two rooms. They are spectacular. Never a line and it is worth seeing; it is in the Tuilleries Gardens.
You might consider a boat ride on the Seine to see many of the main monuments (Notre Dame, ET). You will not have trouble finding restaurants that the kids can find something in but I avoid restaurants in highly tourists areas (poor quality, overpriced). Street vendor crepes are a good on the go meal or snack.
How old are the kids? A picnic in Luxembourg Gardens would be nice. You don't really have time to stand in line to get into museums or climb the ET (which I never do anyway).
If you want a little museum experience, L'Orangerie is much smaller than D'Orsay and the Louvre but has the massive Monet canvases in two rooms. They are spectacular. Never a line and it is worth seeing; it is in the Tuilleries Gardens.
May 5th, 2013, 07:57 AM
#6
It sounds as though you may have bags to pick up. If not, proceed directly to the bus or train and into town.
If you do pick up your bags go to your hotel first. Check in and leave your bags even if your room isn't ready. I've never stayed at CDG so cannot recommend a hotel but given your early departure next morning I'd choose the closest one you can find, even walking distance if there is such a thing. Hopefully, someone with airport hotel experience will advise you.
Other options besides the train mentioned above, given there are 4 people, might be taxi from the hotel or Air France bus from the airport. After you reserve your hotel do ask them for information on getting to the city directly from there, maybe rather than returning to the airport. It will all depend on the location of the hotel you choose and your budget for transport. Taxi most expensive but likely easiest from the hotel. Bus least expensive. http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/en.html
What you decide to do during your day would, I think, depend on the age of your children, will they have preferences and their stamina. So fill us in further please.
If you do pick up your bags go to your hotel first. Check in and leave your bags even if your room isn't ready. I've never stayed at CDG so cannot recommend a hotel but given your early departure next morning I'd choose the closest one you can find, even walking distance if there is such a thing. Hopefully, someone with airport hotel experience will advise you.
Other options besides the train mentioned above, given there are 4 people, might be taxi from the hotel or Air France bus from the airport. After you reserve your hotel do ask them for information on getting to the city directly from there, maybe rather than returning to the airport. It will all depend on the location of the hotel you choose and your budget for transport. Taxi most expensive but likely easiest from the hotel. Bus least expensive. http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/en.html
What you decide to do during your day would, I think, depend on the age of your children, will they have preferences and their stamina. So fill us in further please.
May 5th, 2013, 08:05 AM
#7
I agree with the plan to drop your luggage at the airport hotel first thing, then take public transportation (or even a taxi) into the city.
Don't rent a car, that will just slow you down. Have a street map of Paris with you that shows the location of the monuments. Get dropped at the Eiffle Tower and just do a walk-around tour of the city on your own (can use bus or metro to get around longer distances, or just walk).
Figure out the time you need and transportation back to the airport hotel.
This really shouldn't be too difficult (if you skip the rental car idea).
Don't rent a car, that will just slow you down. Have a street map of Paris with you that shows the location of the monuments. Get dropped at the Eiffle Tower and just do a walk-around tour of the city on your own (can use bus or metro to get around longer distances, or just walk).
Figure out the time you need and transportation back to the airport hotel.
This really shouldn't be too difficult (if you skip the rental car idea).
May 5th, 2013, 08:20 AM
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I had a similar layover a number of years ago. I checked into the airport Sheraton right in the international terminal at CDG. Since I knew the City well I didn't need to see anything special. I took the RER to Luxembourg, walked around, had dinner, and was back at my hotel by midnight.
I suggest that you get familiar with the public transports before you arrive. Check into the Sheraton and drop your luggage. Take the RER to St. Michel or Chatelet depending on whether you want to see the left or right bank. Use your shoes from there. Do not rent a car. Do not sleep until evening.
I suggest that you get familiar with the public transports before you arrive. Check into the Sheraton and drop your luggage. Take the RER to St. Michel or Chatelet depending on whether you want to see the left or right bank. Use your shoes from there. Do not rent a car. Do not sleep until evening.
May 5th, 2013, 09:23 AM
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In such a whirlwind visit, it will be critical to do some advance study of the public transit system so you don't waste time. http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/ especially the Metro subway and RER suburban trains. www.parisbytrain.com can help too (incidentally, it's run by a Canadian.)
You can "see" the Eiffel Tower from many parts of the city and it is not terribly convenient to Metro/RER. Actually going up it will consume the good part of a half-day. You might go insead to the Montparnasse tower, very tall with a panoramic view of the Eiffel and everything else. Then take a full meal for lunch in that area, and return to the d'Orsay or Pompidou or other major cultural institution for several hours of viewing. Walking around any of those areas will give you a feel for Paris and "next time." Then back to the airport hotel for a decent amount of sleep, allowing a healthy margin of time for the airport which you might not get if depending on the first RER trains of the morning.
All of this advice, I realize, is for adults, not knowing the age of your "kids".
You can "see" the Eiffel Tower from many parts of the city and it is not terribly convenient to Metro/RER. Actually going up it will consume the good part of a half-day. You might go insead to the Montparnasse tower, very tall with a panoramic view of the Eiffel and everything else. Then take a full meal for lunch in that area, and return to the d'Orsay or Pompidou or other major cultural institution for several hours of viewing. Walking around any of those areas will give you a feel for Paris and "next time." Then back to the airport hotel for a decent amount of sleep, allowing a healthy margin of time for the airport which you might not get if depending on the first RER trains of the morning.
All of this advice, I realize, is for adults, not knowing the age of your "kids".
May 5th, 2013, 10:14 AM
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Thank you so much everyone... yes I plan to check in one of the hotels that's only 1km away from airport.. as for luggage I will not have any, just my carry on bag which will have nothing other than a change of cloths for my 2 kids and some diapers.. I have a 6 year old and a 1 year old who will be in a stroller.
May 5th, 2013, 10:37 AM
#11
Six and 1. In that case I'd imagine museums are out. I think a boat ride on the Seine would be a good idea. And walks around with Notre Dame as kind of the center point. And a good-sized park with running space for them both and benches for everyone and a picnic from a charcouterie.
I'd also plan to return early to your hotel for dinner so you can put the kids right to sleep. No bus or train ride between them and their bed.
I'd also plan to return early to your hotel for dinner so you can put the kids right to sleep. No bus or train ride between them and their bed.
May 5th, 2013, 02:18 PM
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I love the boat idea very much and im so going to do it... any specific company any would recommend just because I read a few reviews and some said pick the boat ride company wisely ... also any specific names for restaurants ??
May 5th, 2013, 02:18 PM
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I think staying at the airport is a good idea, if you can figure out how to handle the lightrail system (RER). But if you were considering renting a car for the day to drive around Paris, I guess you aren't intimidated, so the RER would be better.
I think the boat ride might be okay, if you want to see the Eiffel Tower, why not, there is a park there. The area around Notre Dame will probably be an easy fit, various things to see around there and it is right on the line to the airport. I don't really think it is feasible for someone in Paris for one day to avoid eating in highly touristed areas, as that is where you will be. There are plenty of decent places to eat in central Paris, all of which is highly touristed.
I think the boat ride might be okay, if you want to see the Eiffel Tower, why not, there is a park there. The area around Notre Dame will probably be an easy fit, various things to see around there and it is right on the line to the airport. I don't really think it is feasible for someone in Paris for one day to avoid eating in highly touristed areas, as that is where you will be. There are plenty of decent places to eat in central Paris, all of which is highly touristed.
