Les

Well, we're off to paris for a month in April. We rented an apartment on Rue de Bretagne in the Marais (thanks to all the helpful suggestions on this forum for helping me find an apartment). We'll be flying into CDG, and I have several questions re. transportation from the airport to the apartment.

I don't want to take public transportation from the airport for the following reasons: we'll be tired from a long trip; my wife can't walk for long distances, and certainly won't be carrying any of the luggage, except for a couple of small carry-on items (I anticipate a couple of checked bags, but we may have 3 if we use our smaller bags); the hassle of manhandling these bags onto a bus or train.

This leaves what? Cab or private car (a cauffered car, not rental car). Anything else?
What would the approximate fare be for each of these options (including extra charges for luggage, if any)?
If a private car, is an advance reservation necessary? Should we carry enough cash with us to cover the costs of transportation (as opposed to finding an ATM immediately after de-planing, or planning on paying with a credit card)? My plan is to obtain cash from ATM's during my visit (as suggested many times on this forum), but I could be in trouble if an ATM that accepts my debit card is not easily available at the airport).

And finally, tipping. I would round up the fair for a cab, but is anything above that customary (not inviting a tipping debate here; by customary, I mean what a native Parisian would expect to tip). Also, if I choose a private car (i.e., where I pay the company at the time of hire), is a tip for the driver customary?
Any help would be appreciated.

TimS

I haven't used an airport shuttle service so I'll leave it to those who have to give their personal recommendations.

Depending upon traffic conditions(the meter will be running) you can expect to pay 40-60 euros for a taxi.

Combined with a taxi, one form of public transportation MIGHT work for you. Air France bus #4 runs from CDG to Gare de Lyon. The fare is 14€. Baggage goes in the lower bays so you don't have to handle it. It would be a short and not very expensive taxi ride from Gare de Lyon to your apartment.

stormbird

Hi Les,

I always get a private transfer. As my husband tends not to travel with me it is usually a girlfriend and myself, though last time it was 4 girls.

Anyway, I used TRV Transport last time and was extremely happy. It is always nice to walk out into Arrivals and see you name on a board and someone there to take your bags for you. They are usually parked quite close by.

The cost will be about 70 euros but check them out online. At least with a private car the price is fixed and I just pay the set price. We Aussies aren't in the habit of tipping but I have never had a driver look like he was expecting more than the agreed price anyway.

susioz

Les, I have similar issues as I have rheumatoid arthritis. Last year we used Parishuttle and they were easy. I have just booked them again as we also are off to Paris in April. I booked on the internet and it cost 17 euro each for a shared shuttle. You ring them from a public phone at no charge from CDG and they tell you which door to go to and they pick you up, door to door. Easy. Enjoy your month.

off2CU

I used Airport Associate Shuttle to go from CDG to St.Germaine des Pres. Last summer (2070) it cost about $62USD. We had 3 people in the van. I think the cost is based on number of passengers.

They were fine. We paid in euros. We had taken some with us from the US just to have.

As for tipping...right or wrong, we just would round up so it could be divided evenly among us. So, sometimes it was a good tip other times a really good tip. This made it easier for us to split the fee. We did this for the shuttle as well as taxis.

off2CU

Obviously, I'm not time traveling... that should have said 2007.

susioz...
"You ring them from a public phone at no charge from CDG "
Do you just dial their main number from a regular pay phone? The reason I asked is that we had to do this with our shuttle, only we paid coins. I just assumed you had to. Planning on taking a trip again this year so I was just wondering.

Les

Thank you all for the replies. I will look into all of the recommendations.

susioz, you mentioned that you booked Parishuttle on the internet. Can you pay online with a credit card? Also, do they take you door-to-door, or just to a common location somewhere in the neighborhood?

Tim, your suggestion also sounds very reasonable - I'm downloading public transportation maps as we speak (write?), to check out the logistics.

It appears that cash (euros) is the most common payment method. Does any of these services accept payment by credit card? Also, can anybody address the availability of ATM's at CDG?

Thanks again for all the information - I love it when a plan comes together!

Les

Oops, corrections. My chief proof reader thinks I'm illiterate (even illegitimate, when she's angry). I KNOW it's supposed to be "chauffered", and that you pay a "fare" for the cab.

And, susioz, I completely spaced out your comment about door-to-door service (and I read your response several times, can you believe?). Sorry.

Travelnut

Reserved shuttles take you to your address. Only Roissybus and Air France coaches take you to drop points.

You call the shuttle company from an airport pay phone, but it is a free call, no coin or phone card needed.

Travelnut

for taxis, I believe in a little 'rounding up'. so if the fare is 52 euro, I'd give 55 euro.

travelerjan

Good heavens man, ATMs are Everywhere! I assume that your card has Cirrus or Plus Systems on it; those are also on most all ATM Machines.

I assume you have a 4-digit pin number by now--those 5-digit ones are pretty much phased out.

ALSO -- I advise that both you and your wife have ATM cards, just a sensible precaution. ANd that you have notified your bank that you will be withdrawing sums regularly from abroad; otherwise they may put an 'alert' on your account and block withdrawals. See if you can get them to authorize withdrawals of $500 at least, so you won't be having to go all the time (alas, $500 isn't what it was a couple of years ago!!).

In fact, I have accounts in TWO banks so I can withdraw from either,if I have a major need in a single day, or if an ATM gets "cranky" for some reason about my #1 card.

If you are a "budgeteer" you will find that you use cash far more, and credit cards far less than you do in the US... if you dine at budget restaurants, some will only take cash (and you save the % that credit cards charge).

ciaodeb

Your title, Les, caught my attention. My 15 year old daughter and I will be arriving in Paris on 2 Aug. from Venice. We will have luggage for 3 week trip, uhh, to roll! We will come from Orly airport to our hotel near Rue De Rivoli and close to Hotel de Ville, French city hall building. We will be at Hotel Andrea Rivoli on St. Bon inbetween Blvd. De Sabastopol and rue du Renard.

TimS mentioned an Air France #4 bus to Gare de Lyon. Does anyone know if they run from Orly to same train station? A taxi ride from there should be about how much?

Thank you!

Travelnut

The Air France coach from Orly only goes to Gare Montparnasse and Invalides. At the Gare Montparnasse drop point, in front of Meridien hotel, you can then get a taxi for the remainder, around 15-20 euro, or find Metro Line 4 to Chatelet.
http://www.cars-airfrance.com/

Or you could take the ORLYBUS from Orly to Denfert-Rochereau, and then RER-B to Chatelet-les Halles, or metro line 4 to Chatelet (both the RER and the metro connect in Denfert-Rochereau. or step off the ORLYBUS and get a taxi.
http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglai...hp?partenaire=
http://en.parisinfo.com/professionnels/5342/orlybus

Or just take a taxi from Orly, which is a little closer to Paris than is CDG. Cost? guessing 40 Euro or so...

Les

Janet, that was good advice re. the ATM cards. I just got back from making the arrangements with my credit union for a card for my wife. Thanks.
I've decided that I will carry a small amount of euros with me when I go, to handle any contingencies that might arise, and drink at the ATM trough as soon as practical after landing.

kerouac

Just take a taxi. 40-60 euros, as TimS said. Much easier, and if it is at the high end, just adjust the budget of your first restaurant meal accordingly, and everything will be back to normal for the remainder of your visit.