maryarnoult

We will be arriving in Paris CDG at around 11:30am after an International flight from LAX with luggage. We need to get ourselves over to Gare St Lazar so we can take the train to Rouen.

Paris Shuttle has said we need to allow 4 hours between the arrival time of our plane and the departure time of our train to Rouen if we use a "SHARED Shuttle". They have not quoted me a price yet. I did also ask them to quote me the price of a PRIVATE shuttle, so hopefully we would not be "wasting 4 hours in transition.

What are our other options? We don't want to take the Metro from CDG due to fatigue and luggage.
Does anyone have any idea the cost of a Taxi from CDG to St Lazar?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much everyone. I love THIS FORUM.

PalenQ

Check out airport buses that I believe go to the Opera right by Saint-Lazare

or simply take the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord and switch to RER E which deadends at Gare Saint-Lazare - pretty easy.

Have you looked at shuttles from the airport direct to Rouen - Rouen is not that far from the airport I think and save train fare - may not be much more than cost of car service into Saint-Lazare.

PalenQ

http://www.shuttledirect.com/en/transfers/Rouen/

http://www.shuttle-paris-airports.co...ort-rouen.html

maryarnoult

Thank you PalenQ. The direct shuttle service is a good idea. I did not think about that, or was even aware of it. I'm going to price it out and it might be a bit more $$, but well worth it. At this point we are trying to save our backs and arms and feet by not hauling luggage from station to station. Thanks again!!! Merci!

Christina

The Roissybus goes to the opera, very cheap, so that's not a bad option.

Having a private car instead of group shuttle will save some time, sure, but you are still going to have to allow for at least 3 hours, I'm sure, to be on the safe side. It may take close to an hour just to get out of the airport: at last 15 min getting off the plane (and maybe have to get a shuttle to the main terminal if it drops you off way out as some flights do), then I've easily spent 30 minutes at passport control, then maybe 15 at baggage claim. SO that's an hour. COunt on an hour transfer time (if traffic is really bad, I've actualy spent more, but that's rare), and then you don't want to get there at the last minute if you aren't familiar with the station. So I'd personally plan on 3 hrs to be comfortable.

A taxi might cost you 50 euro, if you want ease, consider that.

pariswat

Private shuttles are not something common in Paris.
No local would take them.

You are better with normal taxis...

maryarnoult

Thank you everyone!!! These are great tips, and especially the "estimate" of 50 euro for a taxi. As I mentioned we are reluctant to take bus or metro (and save a lot of $$$) with luggage and jet lag. Once we are settled sans luggage the metro is just fine.

Considering 50 euro for 2 for taxi from CDG to St Lazar
75 euro for train for 2 from St Lazar to Rouen
20 euro(???)for taxi from train station in Rouen to hotel

Total: 150 euro

Where as direct private car from CDG to hotel in Rouen is estimated at 166 euro for 2 (approximate).

The locals (of Paris) have a lot more fortitude and strength than us flabby Americans, but we try not to be too obvious.

Merci encore!

PalenQ

just curious as to how long the direct CDG to Rouen takes - it should also be quicker I think that schlepping into Paris with bags and even by private car transferring to the train but not sure.

Probably quicker I would think by a whole lot.

maryarnoult

PalenQ...One of those websites you sent me says 1 hour and 53 minutes from CDG to Rouen. Our hotel is in downtown Roeun. I think this is what we will do. But returning to Paris will be another thing. I think we'll be taking the train from Caen to Paris and then a taxi from the Gare (St Lazar??) to our hotel in the 6th A.

Thanks again.

PalenQ

Thanks for the thanks!

kerouac

In less than one hour and for 10€ per person, you can take the RER B from CDG to Gare du Nord and transfer to the RER E that goes non stop from Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare. No other way makes any sense to me.

PalenQ

For novices the transfer from RER B to RER E could be confusing - a rather long walk thru underground walkways - be sure to take E direction Opera or Saint-Lazare.

PalenQ

also for novice users of metro/RER - keep your ticket until you are out of the system - you may need to to trip the exit booth just like you did entering.

RER E is a wonderful line - automatic I believe and there is a special boarding mechanism to prevent crowding on - large panels that don't open to the train comes to a halt and others get out - if I recall correctly.

Christina

There isn't any reason anyone ever should litter or immediately throw away their ticket upon entering any bus or metro system anywhere in the world. It doesn't even make sense why anyone would do that anywhere, although from some comments on here, apparently some people do. You can always be asked to produce your ticket by transportation authorities anywhere, and it is often needed to get out of systems, also, and not just in Paris. So I guess some people do need warnings.

I think the RER sounds good, but a lot of people jsut don't want to deal with public transportation systems as they aren't used to them or just don't want to exert the energy or have the hassle. this isn't meaningless, I understand it as sometimes I feel that way, and it also depends how much stuff you have and how many transfers/stairs, etc there may be and how long you've been traveling. I personally think spending 50 euro between two people is a fairly modest cost for comfort at the beginning of a trip versus 20 euro for the RER for two.

But going direct to Rouen by car does sound appealing to me, and forgetting the whole train thing, if reasonable.

Gretchen

Paris CDG at around 11:30am after an International flight from LAX with luggage. We need to get ourselves over to Gare St Lazar so we can take the train to Rouen.

Rent a car at CDG, drive up the west side of the Seine for a little way (maybe Les Andelys? Can't remember). Cross back over the seine to the main highway to Rouen

What then from Rouen? to Caen. Are you doing all this by train? PLEASE rent a car and enjoy the countryside.

Maybe if we knew the rest of your plans.....

Cathinjoetown

For your estimated difference in cost of 16€ more, I don't see any reason for not taking the private car service from CDG to Rouen. Although I do think your estimate of a taxi in Rouen might be a bit high, but not by much.

PalenQ

But going direct to Rouen by car does sound appealing to me, and forgetting the whole train thing, if reasonable.>

Given the price differential it's a no-brainer for me - be driven after jet lag to Rouen - could arrange maybe if it is a private driver and not shared mini-van to stop at Giverny en route if driver is willing - for an extra stipend of course.

tuscanlifeedit

After flying from Los Angeles, I see no reason not to take the private car service to Rouen. It almost seems like it would be crazy not to.

On the return trip, just as you say, you can take a taxi from your Rouen hotel, to Paris, then a taxi to your Paris hotel.

If you can afford this comfortable option after the flight from LA, please go for it.

Others don't know your health, age, stamina or budget.

Gretchen

Rent a car and drive. For heavens sake.

When you are in Rouen, are you also going to hire a limo/car to take you elsewhere. What a way to see France--hire a car and driver. It's such a great way to travel.

PalenQ

Driving after jet lag is not always a good idea.