davekits

I will be arriving at CDG airport after more than 14 hours in planes from Vancouver. What is the best way to get from the airport to my hotel which is opposite the Esplanade de la Defense metro station. I prefer a less expensive option than a taxi. I will have a backpack and a 25" suitcase and my wife will also have 2 bags. We are seniors.

TimS

1. Take the RER B from CDG to Chatelet-Les Halles. Walk through the connecting tunnels to the Chatelet Metro station and take Metro line 1 to Esplanade de la Defense. The fare is €9.25. Taken together, Chatelet-Les Halles and Chatelet is a huge transportation hub. You will have a bit of a hike between stations.

2. Take the Roissybus non-stop from CDG to Opera. The fare is €10.00. You will have to haul your luggage on and off the bus. Take a taxi from Opera to your hotel.

3. Take Air France bus #2 non-stop from CDG to Porte Maillot. The fare is €17.00 (€15.50 if bought in advance online at www.lescarsairfrance.com). These are highway buses and your bags go in the luggage bay. Take a very short taxi ride to your hotel.

Unless you can easily lift your luggage on and off trains, #1 probably isn't a good choice and #2 could be a bit problematic.

doug_stallings

With that much luggage you are never going to be able to do the RER or the Metro. Either take the Ar France bus to Porte Maillot and then a taxi or just a taxi. You can also price a car service to get a sense of costs.

davekits

Thanks. That is very helpful.

StCirq

You've got too much luggage. Check out shuttles (I don't take them, but lots of people do) or take the AF bus to Porte Maillot, then a taxi.

Cut down on the luggage, dude. Whether you're going for 3 days or 3 months, you don't need anything larger than a 22" rollaboard. Especially as a senior. Unless you're traveling with a handler.

Southam

Here is the essential link to information on the integrated bus, Metro and suburban train system http://www.ratp.fr/en/ Do some research now to help you get around when you are there. Better, check out what Internet services are available in your hotel. There will probably at least be a couple of machines in the lobby which you can use to sketch out your daily itineraries. Better still, carry a small travel laptop to use WiFi in your room. If your hotel doesn't have WiFi, it should. Best of all, limit yourself to one large suitcase for the two of you with a small carry-on for each of you. I'm old enough to know you can do it and you will thank all of us for making your trip easier.
Other valuable sites to understand the complex but very useful transportation system: www.seat61.com
www.parisbytrain.com

davekits

Thanks for the advice. I get the message about the luggage size. I haven't packed yet. However, I am going on a month cruise which requires formal wear and I am going to northern Iceland (need cooler weather clothes) and Barcelona (need hot weather clothes). If I can get everything for me and my wife in a 22" suitcase, that would be great. My wife and I have previously travelled to over 60 countries so we are not newcomers to travel.

dutyfree

I am going to Paris this weekend and am using the people at the Fat Tire Bike Tours as they run a personal shuttle for 18 euros a person from CDG to any hotel/apartment in Paris.
Google the FAT TIRE BIKE TOURS and book there-they will meet you in the arrivals hall with a sign,grab your luggage and you hop in the car! Have fun !

FemmeFrancophile

I have just spent 3 months in France staying nearby to La Defense. I found the Cielos shuttles very efficient, reliable and relatively inexpensive. They only operate Monday to Friday however. http://www.cielos.fr/&lang=2

The other option that I would consider is the shared taxi service called http://www.wecab.com Unfortunately it didn't work out for me as although they do transfers between the airport and La Defense they will not do the neighbouring suburbs. Friends that have used the service were very pleased with the price and the service. There is an online calculator for the cost.