Kwoo

I have several more questions about our summer trip to Paris. We will have 6 1/2 days in Paris (arrive July 29 & leave August 5).

Paris Museum Pass: I'm quite sure we will purchase the Paris Museum Pass for 4 days because I think it's worth it to be able to skip lines. I have calculated that we will save between $13 - $25 per person (there are 2 of us), depending on how many museums & monuments we see. I figure on seeing 7 - 9 in the 4 days, including Versailles. Has anyone ordered them online & had them sent to your home? At first I thought I would do this because I like to be organized & have everything purchased before we go, but there is a shipping fee of about $18. I am aware we can purchase the pass at CDG or at any of the museums. Obviously, I wouldn't purchase them at the Louvre because we would still have to wait in line a long time so we wouldn't benefit by skipping ticket lines. Is the Rodin Museum or L'Orangerie a logical place to purchase them? I assume lines would not be as long. Or there is a tourist office in Terminal 2E, Gate 2 (I think) which is where we will be landing. (not sure of the gate, though) I wonder if that makes more sense. Are there generally long lines at the airport tourist offices?

Notre Dame: Has anyone on the forum climbed the 387 steps to the top of Notre Dame? I'd like to do that but am a little nervous about climbing that manys steps. (Don't want to collapse along the way We are in our early 60's, & I do go to the gym to stay in shape, but my husband doesn't.

Eiffel Tower: The Museum Pass does not include the Eiffel Tower but I know we can buy tickets online. I hesisate to do this, though, because what if it's rainiing the day we purchase the tickets for? If we don't have advance tickets, how long does it typically take during the summer to go to the top?

Has anyone used World Shuttle to go from CDG to their hotel? I read about it in Paris for Dummies, but surprisingly my Fodors guide book doesn't mention them. The cost is 17 euros per person if there are 2 people. I read a taxi would cost between 40 - 70 euros. I'm not sure if I want to hassle with the metro and luggage.

Conciergerie: is this worth seeing? It is included ini the Museum Pass, but got mixed reviews on Trip Advisor.

Thanks for any and all help.

china_cat

I was reading trip advisor forum about Paris the other day, and apparently there are elevator problems on the Eiffel tower. So the wait times are extra long...2 hours or more. They recommend going early in the morning or between 7-10PM.

I found the Conciergerie interesting. its something you could skip if you don't have time, but if you are at Sainte Chappelle anyways it doesn't take long to see it.

We bought our museum passes at the Notre Dame Crypts. There was nobody down there, so no lines.

StCirq

There is absolutely NO good reason to pre-purchase the Museum Pass online ahead of time. It's costly in the extreme, and it's one more thing to pack and lug across the ocean. You can buy it at any museum. I can't speak to picking one up at CDG - I've never bothered.

I've climbed up Notre Dame at least a dozen times. It's no big deal. It's narrow and cramped and can be slow in high season as lots of people are doing it; if you're out of shape I guess it could be a hassle, but otherwise it's fine, and the views are great, as is being right up close to the gargoyles.

You need to get to the Tour Eiffel very early if you want to avoid lines (1-2 hours).

I love the Conciergerie. But I'm also very familiar with its historical significance. If you're not, it probably seems like just a big old empty building.

Kwoo

Thanks china_cat & StCirq for your responses, especially for the tip about seeing the Eiffel tower very early or betwween 7-10PM.

China_cat, what time of year were you in Paris, & how many days did you buy the pass for? How many museums/monuments did you see during that time?

Patty

Are you flying Air France? If so, in theory your flight will arrive at 2E but in reality it could just as easily be 2F or 2C wherever they have space. According to this http://www.new-paris-ile-de-france.c...ks-100180.html there are tourist information desks at all of them. By "gate" I believe they actually mean exit door (which at CDG are numbered). I've never used them so can't tell you much else.

toupary6

I love the Conciergerie, too. I know something about -- and love --French history, but I think most travelers know about the Revolution. If not, this is a great way to learn. I believe going there gives one a real feeling for the human side of the Revolution and its aftermath.

The first time I went (I was an adult), I was eight years old again, with the same feeling I used to get when my teachers took our class on a field trip.

Lexma90

I don't know what we seem to do differently than everybody else in terms of the Paris pass. Whenever I price out that (or similar passes for other cities), it's cheaper for us to just buy individual tickets. And in terms of skipping lines (ticket lines only, you'll still of course have to go through the security line), you can buy individual tickets for many places (i.e., Louvre, Musee d'Orsay) ahead of time and online, and just print them out at home. But anyway, do whatever makes the most for you, money- and time-wise. And yes, just go to some less-popular museum or other place to buy the pass.

Kwoo

Hi lexma90,
When you buy the individual tickets ahead of time, do you have to buy them for a specific day? That 's the only thing I would be concerned about. I know that with the pass we have to use it in 4 consecutive days, but we can decide when we get there when to activate it. I guess the pass is worth it depending on the number of sites a person wants to see.
Thanks for your information.

Does anyone have any experience with World Shuttle? If we choose to reserve them, we have to pay in advance, so I'd like to hear from people who have used them or know of them.
Thanks.

toupary6

I bought a museum pass a couple of times, years ago. I wouldn't now, as I would prefer to spend a lot of time exploring one museum in depth than being all over the map. When I did buy it, I never felt the pressure to get my money's worth, just thinking of the unused portion as my contribution toward French culture.

The biggest advantage, especially for someone who has never been to Paris, is that it might move you to visit something you might not otherwise have ( believe I discovered a couple of places that way), and you can skip the lines.

If you're only planning to visit one of two museums, it's not worthwhile.

annhig

kwoo - to deal specifically with your transport Q, what hotel are you staying at?

at the risk of being accused of repetition, we have found that the easiest way to get from and back to CDG is to stay at a hotel near a stop on the RER B line. it is then extremely simple to get on and off the RER, and walk to the hotel. we've done that 3 times now and it's a doddle.

if you haven't booked a hotel yet, I recommend finding one near either Chatelet [we stayed at the hotel Britannique] or St. michel. [hotel europe St. Severin]. The Britannique is a bit plusher and pricier but the Europe is fine.

nvl325

would like to ask a question here- if you take the RER from CDG- are there escalators/elevators at CDG, and at the RER station, such as Chatelet- or must you carry your luggage up and down stairs?

annhig

nv - there are escalators at CDG, and at Chatelet too, though you need to make sure that you aim for the right exit as they are not present at all of them.

travelling light with a wheeled case that you can carry easily will help.

StCirq

Kwoo, no, the métro tickets are not date-specific. Buy a carnet - a packet of 10 - and you can use them whenever you want (including a year or two later, as long as the prices haven't changed!).

Sarastro

The metro prices change every July 1st, except this year as there were of couple of changes in December (changes mean prices increase). However, an unused ticket t+ is good forever regardless of what the price is for new tickets.

MaineGG

I have had no experience with World Shuttle, but have used shared shuttles on several occasions, both to and from CDG, with mixed results. It seems that there are reports of excellent to poor service spread around the various shuttle operators, so there is an element of chance when booking and pre-paying for the service.

Private transfers are available at a higher cost, and these too get mixed reviews. Several regulars on this forum recommend Shuttle Inter highly, but there have been a couple of negative reviews for them too. One advantage to booking with them is that there is no pre-payment involved.

The taxi fare can vary greatly depending on destination and traffic. Last fall we were returning to CDG on an Air France bus and noticed that inbound traffic was stop and go for miles. I would not have been happy to be sitting in a taxi watching the meter running.

Once, when staying near St.-Michel, we took the RER to CDG. It was cheap, quick and easy, and we only had carry-ons. If you have too much baggage or are not staying near the RER B line, it is more difficult.

We liked the Air France bus and would use it again if convenient to our destination. You can purchase and print discounted tickets on their site. http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/en.html

If not, will probably try Shuttle Inter next trip and hope for the best.

klieghj

I have not used World Shuttle but I have used Paris Shuttle and we will be using Super Shuttle our next trip in September, pricing is usually similar and the directions are similar. After booking you should print out your vouchers and bring them with you. Once you land and go through customs they usually direct you to go to a specific desk or to find a pay phone (toll free no charge) to make a call to notify them you have arrived. They will direct you to the exit to meet the driver. The vans are clearly marked with the name of the company you are using. Provide the driver with your voucher he will load your luggage in and take you to your destination. The downside is that the vans are usually always full/crowded and depending on if you are the first or last stop your trip can be long. The upside is that you don't have to mess with the metro or luggage or pay a lot of attention so you don't miss your stop if you are really tired after a long flight. Good Luck

latedaytraveler

Hi all, while on the subject of shuttles, can anyone suggest a SHARED shuttle from CDG? In London last summer, I took LONDON BY BUS from Heathrow and was thrilled that I was not in a taxi given the traffic we encountered in the early afternoon. The fee was quite reasonable.

I will be traveling solo in early June and staying in the 6th very near to the river. Recommendations appreciated.

Oops, just noticed Kliegh's suggestion for PARIS SHUTTLE so I will check it out...

Kwoo

Thanksk everyone! I have to process all this info.
We are staying at HOtel Bonaparte on Rue Bonaparte, 6th, in St. Germain. Is that near the RER B stop?

We are using Air France. I glanced quickly at their website. So it looks like their bus drops you off at only a few destinations, such as train stations. It doesn't bring you to your hotel, right?

I will also look into Shuttle Inter. I assume the private shuttles drop you off in front of your hotel, right?

I guess I'm spoiled. On last trip to barcelona, the taxi to our hotel was very reasonable, and in Prague, the B & B picked us up at the airport for a very reasonable price.

china_cat

We were there for a week, and bought the 1 week pass. We probably used it for about 8 or 9 museums, including Versailles. I'm pretty sure we didn't save money, but came close to breaking even. We skipped a 45 minute line at the D'Orsay, and probably an hour at Versailles. It most likely wasn't really worth it, but I sort of like the convenience of paying for the thing once and then not having to pull out the credit card every time.

nytraveler

387 steps is approximately 25 flights of stairs (16 stpes each). If your husband doesn't exercise - or climb stairs regularly - then I would find aplace with stairs and let him climb 3 or 4 full flights to see how he does.

We've climbed to the top and it's no big deal - but we live in a co-op, climb stairs (not that many of course) daily and do long walks all the time.