last night in paris - should we stay near the airport for a 7:30 am flight to Canada?
Nov 16th, 2005, 02:39 PM
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last night in paris - should we stay near the airport for a 7:30 am flight to Canada?
We will be in Paris for 7 days next summer, and our last night is scheduled to be in a hotel either in the 7th or the 4th.
We have never been to Paris before, and don't really know the ways to get to CDG (bus, metro or cab), the different costs and timing for each, or whether we are leaving ourselves at risk if we stay 1 more last night downtown.
We are looking for advice and suggestions, and if we decide to stay downtown, by what time should we leave for the airport, in order to get on our flight to Toronto (through Milan)?
If it suggested to stay near the airport, can someone also suggest a hotel ?
As always, many thanks.
We have never been to Paris before, and don't really know the ways to get to CDG (bus, metro or cab), the different costs and timing for each, or whether we are leaving ourselves at risk if we stay 1 more last night downtown.
We are looking for advice and suggestions, and if we decide to stay downtown, by what time should we leave for the airport, in order to get on our flight to Toronto (through Milan)?
If it suggested to stay near the airport, can someone also suggest a hotel ?
As always, many thanks.
Nov 16th, 2005, 03:32 PM
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On trip a couple of years back I took bus in, cab out from 9th arrondisement, I believe. Either is an adventure, but both were on time. I was willing to pay for a cab drive just to make sure I got to airport with time to spare. It was worth every franc. And surprisingly, the driver was GOOD, mostly stayed off the sidewalks in town, asked before he smoked, and was very polite. What's not to like. Give yourself two hours at the airport and you should be fine.
Nov 16th, 2005, 03:40 PM
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We go to Paris every year and some with outbound trans-Atlantic flights at about the same time as yours.
We've used shared shuttle van services to the airport that picked us up about 2 and 1/2 hours before our flights and we've never missed a flight as it takes about 30 - 40 minutes during the early morning hours to get to CDG. We usually stay in hotels in the 7th.
If you don't mind waking up that early then you should be fine.
We've used shared shuttle van services to the airport that picked us up about 2 and 1/2 hours before our flights and we've never missed a flight as it takes about 30 - 40 minutes during the early morning hours to get to CDG. We usually stay in hotels in the 7th.
If you don't mind waking up that early then you should be fine.
Nov 16th, 2005, 03:54 PM
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If you decide on an airport hotel, I can recommend the Courtyards by Marriott. They have a shuttle to the airport. I'm not sure how early they start, but the hotel get lots of airline personnel staying there, so probably early enough. I've stayed there several times and like it.
Even closer, the Ibis right inside the terminal near the TGV station gets recommended on here alot. From there you might even be able to walk to your gate, depending on what terminal you're leaving from.
Even closer, the Ibis right inside the terminal near the TGV station gets recommended on here alot. From there you might even be able to walk to your gate, depending on what terminal you're leaving from.
Nov 16th, 2005, 04:03 PM
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The problem with the shared shuttle is that you're dependent on other passengers to be ready at the appointed pick-up times. That could either be a good thing (few other passengers) or a bad thing (someone misses a wake-up call) at that time of the morning.
Any chance you can book a later flight out of Milan?
Any chance you can book a later flight out of Milan?
Nov 16th, 2005, 04:32 PM
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Just returned from France and stayed the last night @ the airport..Millenium Hotel..Our travel agent got us a 125$ room after we hasd requested the Ibis she obtained the 4 star hotel with this 2star rate.. Super. we turned in our car @ CDG and shuttled to the hotel then back in the AM...Try it..Ask for promotional rate. You know I can't remember if 125 was Us, Cdn or Euor but whatever for the digs it was a deal!!!Another group of hotels (considering our waekness in $$$ up here) worth considering...Ibis in Paris (and elsewhere) and a real surprise Campanile..New, hardwood floors (no scuzzy carpets) nice bathrooms and around 60Euros.for 2. breakfast buffet is about 6.50 Again ask for promotion rates and then if you get one keep your receipt and show it at the next Campenile and you may be lucky as we were. Do the hop on/ hop off tour and the batobus...saves time..you can get a different perspctive of the city and the batobus if a delight on the Seine River... If you are into modern don't miss the La Defense area. We had been to Paris 2 other times before this year and never got there but this year there was a business meeting in the area and it is awesome as far as modern buildings go. We have nothing like it in Canada even in Toronto. There are some newly refurbished hotels in downtown Paris now to compete with chains and I understand they are pretty good..Go to google and pull up Boutique hotels in Paris and see what you can find..100Euros plus a bit is very good for downtown. Have a ball and whisper my name in La Belle Paree..I shall return!!!
Nov 16th, 2005, 08:23 PM
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Depends on how early you want to get up--you need to be at CDG a good 2-1/2 to 3 hours in advance of your flight. Staying near the airport will save you a half hour or so of precious time; so I'd opt for staying at the airport. There are a number of good hotels with shuttle services--the Sheraton is, I think, the closest.
Nov 17th, 2005, 05:09 AM
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Don't waste a minute in precious Paris! Stay in central Paris for every minute you can. You will have to get up early to get to the airport, but wouldn't you like to spend your last night in Paris with a nice early dinner and a last evening walk, drinking in the smells, sounds and sights that can only be found there? Have a last glass of wine at a cafe. Say a last quiet good-bye. I bet those last moments will convince you that you need to come back.
Every minute there is so special to me I wouldn't trade any of it to stay at a boring airport hotel just to save a bit of time in the morning. If your plane leaves at 7:30, you will want to be at the airport at 5:30 at the latest. If you cab it, you should allow 45 min to an hour if you are taveling during the day (in case of traffic) but at the time of morning you will be leaving, you will be there in 1/2 hour easy.
When I arrived in Paris, I got in my shuttle at the airport at 7:25am and I was at my hotel in the 4th by 7:50. No traffic, we just zoomed there. On the way back to the airport, my shuttle picked me up at 9:05 and it took til 10:00 to get there with the traffic at that time of day.
I'm sure a shuttle will get you there in plenty of time, even with other pick ups. But if you are concerned, just pay the extra $$ for a taxi. The extra night in central Paris would make the $$ worth it I think.
As far as area, if you haven't picked yet between 4th and 7th, I just got back from staying in the 4th (the Marais) last month. I loved it. I've stayed in the 5th and the 6th before and liked them, but the 4th was the best! Lots of character, shops, restaurants. Will stay there next time too.
PS. I live two hours east of Toronto!
Every minute there is so special to me I wouldn't trade any of it to stay at a boring airport hotel just to save a bit of time in the morning. If your plane leaves at 7:30, you will want to be at the airport at 5:30 at the latest. If you cab it, you should allow 45 min to an hour if you are taveling during the day (in case of traffic) but at the time of morning you will be leaving, you will be there in 1/2 hour easy.
When I arrived in Paris, I got in my shuttle at the airport at 7:25am and I was at my hotel in the 4th by 7:50. No traffic, we just zoomed there. On the way back to the airport, my shuttle picked me up at 9:05 and it took til 10:00 to get there with the traffic at that time of day.
I'm sure a shuttle will get you there in plenty of time, even with other pick ups. But if you are concerned, just pay the extra $$ for a taxi. The extra night in central Paris would make the $$ worth it I think.
As far as area, if you haven't picked yet between 4th and 7th, I just got back from staying in the 4th (the Marais) last month. I loved it. I've stayed in the 5th and the 6th before and liked them, but the 4th was the best! Lots of character, shops, restaurants. Will stay there next time too.
PS. I live two hours east of Toronto!
Nov 17th, 2005, 06:40 AM
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Hi never,
If it were me I would stay near the airport. You can get to the hotel late after spending every last minute in Paris. If necessary your Paris hotel will hold your luggage until you are ready to head out. You will not get any sleep probably anyway if you stay in Paris since you will have to be at the airport by about 5:30. I can stay up later than get up earlier. Happy travels.
If it were me I would stay near the airport. You can get to the hotel late after spending every last minute in Paris. If necessary your Paris hotel will hold your luggage until you are ready to head out. You will not get any sleep probably anyway if you stay in Paris since you will have to be at the airport by about 5:30. I can stay up later than get up earlier. Happy travels.
Nov 17th, 2005, 07:03 AM
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Ordinarily I would say stay in central Paris, but if your flight leaves at 7:30 am, you need to be at CDG around 5 am. I would pick an airport hotel in that case--the nicest one that fits your budget (and as others noted, shop around, you may find 4* hotels at 2* prices). Make sure it has a free shuttle that can get you to the airport early enough (some hotel shuttles don't start til 6 am, too late for you).
Given that you will be traveling in summer, when it's still light in the evening, I would ask your central Paris hotel to hold your luggage for the day while you spend your last hours there strolling, having wine or an early meal at your favorite cafe, and then watching the sun set over the Seine (go to Pont Alexandre III, it's by the Invalides metro stop in the 7th and is--arguably--the prettiest bridge in Paris or else down by the Ile St. Louis). As night falls, take a taxi to your airport hotel (your central Paris hotel can arrange this for you)--one of my favorite things is riding a taxi through Paris at night. Make sure your airport hotel understands you will be checking in fairly late.
FYI, unless you're flying business/first or your FF status gives you access to a business/first, bring something along to pass the waiting time at CDG. It's a boring airport (by European capital city standards).
Given that you will be traveling in summer, when it's still light in the evening, I would ask your central Paris hotel to hold your luggage for the day while you spend your last hours there strolling, having wine or an early meal at your favorite cafe, and then watching the sun set over the Seine (go to Pont Alexandre III, it's by the Invalides metro stop in the 7th and is--arguably--the prettiest bridge in Paris or else down by the Ile St. Louis). As night falls, take a taxi to your airport hotel (your central Paris hotel can arrange this for you)--one of my favorite things is riding a taxi through Paris at night. Make sure your airport hotel understands you will be checking in fairly late.
FYI, unless you're flying business/first or your FF status gives you access to a business/first, bring something along to pass the waiting time at CDG. It's a boring airport (by European capital city standards).
Nov 17th, 2005, 07:20 AM
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I might add that it doesn't take a whole lot longer to get to the terminal from downtown as from an airport hotel. The difference is probably less than 20 minutes in most cases.
With no luggage and an e-ticket, I'd bed down around the Luxembourg or St-Michel Notre-Dame RER station and plan on getting to T2 about 6h00 on the first train.
If I had to queue for check-in at the airport, I wouldn't stay downtown at all. I'd take a late RER to the terminal and a hotel shuttle to my bed.
With no luggage and an e-ticket, I'd bed down around the Luxembourg or St-Michel Notre-Dame RER station and plan on getting to T2 about 6h00 on the first train.
If I had to queue for check-in at the airport, I wouldn't stay downtown at all. I'd take a late RER to the terminal and a hotel shuttle to my bed.
