pgnewby

Thanks in advance for whatever insight you can lend. . .

I am preparing for an April trip to the US with my 2 children, ages 4 and 7. We live NW of Cherbourg and will take the train into Paris, Gare St Lazare. I have done this trip with my spouse (+2 kids) but never just me with both kids.

I am familiar with the route on the Metro/RER, and I would not hesitate taking this route if the circumstances were different (with less luggage or with 1 kid, etc). However, I am terrified to not be able to have a hand on either of my kids because I will be hauling our luggage.

Would it be best to just take a taxi from St Lazare to CDG or should I stick with the train system? How much do you think a taxi might cost?

Thanks for your help!

soogies

I can't help you with taxi cost, but with two little ones and luggage, I'd say take a taxi. My husband and I are famililar with the metro as well but we were separated from our then 21-year-old daughter in the rush of people and luggage.

For your peace of mind, take a cab. Bon voyage et bienvenue aux etats unis!

PalenQ

according to Paris Visitors Bureau it says taxis to CDG from central paris run 40 euros - a set fare but a bit more at night and on Sundays

and there is an Air France bus from the Opera to airport - very close to St Lazare but still few blocks away

TimS

A taxi will cost 50-60 euro, more if traffic is heavy.

To save a few euros you could take a very short taxi ride from Gare Saint-Lazare to Opera and the Roissybus from there to CDG. The Roissybus fare is 8.60€.

TimS

Sorry to contradict you, PalenQ, but the cost of a taxi is dependent upon the travel time. The meter will be running. 40€ would be about the least one would pay under ideal conditions.

Also, as I said in my previous post, it's the Roissybus that goes from Opera to CDG. Air France coaches leave from Gare Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle Etoile, and Porte Maillot.

PalenQ

TimS - i defer to your expertise of course

but i was only quoting verbatim from the Paris Visitors and Convention Centre literature, which i do take with a grain of salt, especially where tourists are involved.

Also note Roissy Bus correction - is this bus about the same as Air France - as quick or does it stop a lot - it's not a regular bus i hope

Cheers

TimS

The Roissybus goes non-stop between Opera and CDG.

bozama

Well, your kids are very young, and with luggage,, I would spend the money and take a taxi. Don't start a long trip by being totally exhausted and stressed before you even leave your own country!

pgnewby

Thanks so much for all the information!! Soogies, I hope you were quickly reunited with your 21 month old! You described my exact fear!

I am going to check out the Opera/Roissybus option more. We will be coming in the night before our trip, so we're not on a tight time line. It looks like a much cheaper option. . .maybe. Any idea if the kids (4 & 7) would be full fare??

I am trying to find out where the bus stop is exactly. When I look online, there are multiple "Opera" metro entrances. Some of these entrances seem walkable, while others seem a bit too far. Could someone give me an idea as to how far we would have to walk to the bus stop?

Also, if we are staying in an airport hotel the night before, does a taxi make more sense as opposed to going into CDG and then back out to the hotel?

Great info TimS and PalenQ! I really appreciate everyone's efforts!

Rhea58

You may pay the 8.60E on board; no
need to buy tickets. The Roissy bus
stop in Paris is Opera Garnier, rue
Scribe in front of the American Express office, not far from Gare
St. Lazare. Do not know if there
is lesser fare for children.

pgnewby

Wow, thanks Rhea58 for the super fast response! I now see the stop I need!

Rhea58

You are most welcome pgnewby. To
my knowledge, that is the only stop
so sat back enjoy the ride as the
bus transverses those narrow streets
in Montmarte!!

TimS

If you stay at a CDG hotel that is part of the Accor chain--like Formule 1, Etap, or Ibis--you can ride a free Accor shuttle bus between the hotel and the airport. Of course, that means schlepping your luggage one more time.

pgnewby

Thanks TimS, we are planning to stay at the Ibis. We have stayed there before and used the shuttle with great ease! I hate schlepping bags too! We've learned to travel much lighter these days!!

Does anyone know where I could find how much the children's fares info for the Roissybus? They are ages 4 and 7.

PalenQ

Ah just put them inside your luggage and solve two problems

TimS

pgnewby,

The only fare listed on the RATP site for the Roissybus is 8.60€. If there is a reduced fare for children, there is no mention of it.

Christina

They don't have children's fares on a lot of the special RATP tickets or passes. I think it might only be on the carnet, actually, not even if you buy a single ticket.

They do have children's fares on the Air France bus, though, which would make it cheaper than the Roissybus, and they also give 15 pct discount for a group of 4 or more. I find that bus very comfortable, also. Since the Roissybus isn't at Gare St Lazare, either, it seems like either way you'd have to get from there to a bus stop. The AF bus stops at the Arc de Triomphe, and you can get there on the RER A line from St Lazare, more or less (you have to walk over to Auber stop).

The child fare on AF bus is only 6.5 euro for kids under age 11. Really, the diff. wouldn't be much between the two methods (4*8.5 = 34 euro versus ((2*6.5)+(2*13))*.85 = 33.15 euro

TimS

The Air France coach from Charles de Gaulle Etoile to CDG would be a good choice. 26.00€ for one adult + two children. The Roissybus fare woudl be 25.80€ (3 x 8.60&euro. You have to carry your own bags onto the Roissybus, but your bags go in a luggage bay on the Air France coach.

pgnewby

Thanks so much for everyone's help on this one. I always feel so much more at ease when I am prepared. I feel good that there are a couple of options that seem do-able for me and the kids!

We are in the process of moving to Normandy, so I will be out of touch for a bit. But, again, many thanks. Your insight is much appreciated!