aggiegirl

I've been debating whether to take a shuttle or the train into Paris when I go there with my Mom in the fall. Because of the traffic horror stories, I decided on the train and have a question. Our hotel is in the Marais and it looks like Chatelet-Les Halles is the closest stop, but my memory of it from a previous trip is that it take a lot of effort to get out of that station and I know my mom will be very tired, so I want to pick the easiest stop. I was thinking maybe we'd be better getting out at St. Michel or Luxembourg. Wherever we get out, we'll then take a short cab ride to our hotel. Any recommendation for the easiest station for exiting and catching a cab? Thanks!

almcd

I have read all the posts on how to get from CDG to the centre of Paris. These have gone back several years and after all this, I have decided that my wife and I will take a cab from the airport. The rest is too much of a hassle early in the morning. For a trip that is going to cost several thousand Euros, what is another €10 over the cost of the train and/or bus. My wife and I have an aggregate total age of 131!!

Christina

I think Luxembourg is by far the easiest stop to get out (it is small, and one reason is no connections are made there, to another RER line or metro line), and it even has an escalator. There shouldn't be a big problem getting a cab as there is a taxi queue spot right at place Rostand (in front of Luxembourg Gardens and end of rue Soufflot), which is just a few steps away from the RER exit.

Also, you shouldn't try to get a spot really close to your place, as taxis don't want to take you a real short distance, but if it's in the Marais, it should be far enough from any of those stops to get a taxi.

Robespierre

If I were going to the Marais, I'd get off at Gare du Nord. The odds of catching a cab quickly are probably better there than at a station further south. Like Luxembourg, GdN has escalators. The Marais hotels are 2-3 km away, so I don't think the short haul would be a problem.

Ch&acirc;telet would be my <u>last</u> choice.

palette

Be kind to your Mom and take a van shuttle.

Robespierre

Oh, gimme a break. This isn't a forced march through Sumatra. It's a 25-minute train ride.

Guenmai

Palette....I totally agree with you. I would never drag my mom on the RER after getting off of a long flight. It would be too much for her...a long flight, tired, luggage, etc. And then to transfer to a taxi?
I've taken the RER for decades, but when I'm alone. This past spring I took the shuttle and was glad I did.I booked a shared shuttle, to keep the price down, but was the only one in it, which I was hoping for. It was very relaxing to be taken directly to the apartment I was renting. Priceless. I just wasn't in the mood to take the RER, drag the luggage up stairs, etc...
Plus, the original poster is arriving to Paris in the fall and who knows what the weather will be like. Happy Travels!

aggiegirl

While the shuttle is actually my mom's first choice, I've heard so many tales of hideous traffic and poor experiences with the shuttles. I wish there was room to be spontaneous, but alas, that is not the case since the shuttles must be booked in advance. Well, I have exactly 8 weeks to make a final decision!

Travelnut

You could take the Air France bus to Gare de Lyon then a taxi. No advance reservations needed. AF tickets are about 14E pp, should be able to buy from the driver. Find the departure points at either www.easycdg.com or

http://www.airfrance.com/double6/pas...F?OpenDocument

NOTE: the old 'cars-airfrance.com' site has a virus ?

djkbooks

I've never heard of an always reliable shuttle, either.

And, I recommend budgeting for a taxi. After an overnight flight, you'll likely be tired, dazed, and confused. Depending on your gate, could be a hike to passport control, then a bit of a hike to baggage pickup. Another hike to the RER station, where, unless you have Euro coins, you'll have to wait in a long line to purchase your tickets. And, you must be very careful with your belongings, particularly your valuables.

For us, it's worth every euro to just head for the taxi queue and be on our way. Except for one time, when a serious accident occurred on the highway, we have never experienced horrible traffic, other than the occasional slowdown here and there.

If you want to economize, take Air France coach, then a taxi. The pickup stops are just a few steps farther than the taxi stand, and they take care of your bags for you.

The RER is not so bad returning to CDG, as you can more quickly purchase tickets and if there are stairs involved they will be down, rather than up. While many stations have escalators or elevators, they're not as easy to locate as you would think.

Try lugging all the belongings you plan to have along up the stairs in your home. Station staircases are double that. Will your mom be able to manage?

kerouac

My parents believed in saving money and were always absolutely fascinated by the RER ride. To each his own.

Frankly I am amazed at how many people claim that they are totally inoperative zombies getting off a flight from the U.S. Most people in the world are pumping with adrenalin when they arrive in Paris, no matter how long the trip. If they aren't, perhaps they should consider a different destination.

djkbooks

&lt;&lt;Frankly I am amazed at how many people claim that they are totally inoperative zombies getting off a flight from the U.S. &gt;&gt;

Well, if you've ever been on an overnight flight with screaming babies, folks who hang out in the aisles drinking the entire flight...

kerouac

Dozens and dozens of times. It all flushes out of my system when I arrive.

Margo_Chester

kerouac, I totally agree with you. Maybe it's because we fly from NYC and it's not that long of a flight, but I never &quot;got&quot; the people who think they won't be able to spell their own name when they land at CDG because of jetlag.

For what it's worth here is my experience; my parents travel with us. They are in their early 70's, and have 1 roller and 1 small bag that can sit on top of the roller. We always take the RER and transfer through Chatelet-Les Halles (gasp!) to St. Paul and walk a few blocks to our hotel in the Marais. Then we drop the luggage and go to a cafe. It really is easy, however if my parents had any mobility issues I would certainly make other arrangements. Can we afford to take a cab? Absolutely. But the RER is fast, easy and works for us. If it's a viable option for you try it, if you think there are going to be problems choose something else and maybe take the RER back to the airport. Most importantly, choose what works best for YOUR Mom!

Robespierre

Amen.

There is so much variation regarding how jet lag affects different travelers that it's folly to generalize.

apersuader65

Doesn't Jet lag usually occur the day after the flight? You may experience general fatigue, as you may have been up for 24 hours when you arrive, but jet lag is the attempt to reset your body clock. I changed my sleep habits at home the several weeks leading up to our trip, an hour or so each week. By the time of my flight (5:00 CDT - midnight Paris) from MCI, I had my body clock adjusted about half-way. When I arrived, I had the same feeling Kerouac mentioned, the adrenaline was high enough that I didn't start getting tired until 5:00 local, but bullyied through until after 10:00, and was fine thereafter.

Michel_Paris

Apersuader,
That is what I do also. I start going to bed earlier as I approach my flight day. No movie on way over, no alcohol, music from the entertainment centre, and a full day when I arrive. On the second day I'm adjusted. I'm also not one who believes in a nap when I arrive. I may not plan anything the first day, but am sure going to at least go walking around some neighborhood.

Seamus

aggiegirl -
you don't if your Mom has mobility problems, so I won;t assume that. I will say that the additional 10 or so euro you might pay for a taxi is well worth it. In fact. if you take RER B into town then a cab from the station to the hotel it will probably end up costing about the same.

CarolA

My 70 year old mother did just fine on the RER....

Our first trip I put her on the shuttle, that was not a hit. She was tired and sitting in traffic didn't do well. So now we do the RER. I deal with the luggage LOL!

Robespierre

Is it really ten euro or so?

2 RER tickets = 16,80&euro;
Plus a short cab ride = 10&euro;
Equals 26,80&euro;

Cab fare from CDG = 45&euro; <i>and up</i>

The way I figure, it's at least 20, and maybe more.