JeanneB

We will be in Paris in a couple of weeks. There will be four of us: 3 women, one man. The man is very tall, 6'4", so legroom is a concern.

My question: will Paris taxis even take 4 passengers (without luggage)? If so, what if the next guy in the taxi qeue is a small car? Can we opt for a larger taxi farther back in line?

Sorry to sound so ignorant. I never use taxis in Paris. But I'll be traveling with people who prefer them.

ParisAmsterdam

At CDG there is usually a dispatcher who matches groups with cabs at the head of the taxi line. If the next cab in the line is a sedan he'll let the people behind you go ahead and hold you until a minivan type cab pulls up. Don't worry... there are lots of them so you won't wait long.

There is an extra charge of about 3 euros for the 4th passenger and one euro per bag after the first.

If you are approached by someone offering a ride in the terminal ignore them... follow the signs for Taxis and grab a legitimate cab.

ira

Hi JB,

If there is more than one taxi at the cab stand, you can choose the larger ones.

Enjoy Paris.

kerouac

You are allowed to choose any taxi in a queue.

JeanneB

I should have mentioned we are not coming in from CDG. I meant taxis in the heart of Paris.

Thanks, though. It sounds like we can opt for the larger taxi (if there is one). That was my main concern. No way he could fit in some of those tiny cars!!!

kerouac

There are no "tiny" taxis.

StCirq

There are plenty of taxi station wagons, even vans. None are tiny. You should know, though, that you can't hail down a cab on the street. You need to call (or email) ahead of time or find a taxi stand.

denisea

Be sure you are aware of where the stands are! It's a bit frustrating when you need a taxi and have no idea where the stands are since you usually can't just hail a cab in the street. The cabs are usually very nice and have plenty of room. I would encourage you to get your companions to try the Metro-very easy and inexpensive!

JeanneB

Yes, we always use the bus/metro system. Mostly bus. But this time we will have a sister with us who has difficulty walking. Much as I love the metro, it's often quite a hike to the nearest station.

As for cab stands, I can add that to my "dream map" of Paris. I once found a map that showed the multiple enter/exit points for each metro station. I can't find it now and can't remember if it was a real map or online. I also wish I could get more bus info on a map. Of course, by now, that map would have to be 5 feet wide to accommodate all the info I want!!!

Nikki

In some neighborhoods it is hard to find a taxi to hail down in the street, but in some areas there are many. It is my experience that you can hail a cab if you see one and are not within a certain distance of a taxi stand.

ParisAmsterdam

That map for metro exits may be "Paris-ci" for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch.

I have not seen a 'tiny' cab in Paris since the 1970s. More often than not I've had Mercedes cabs on recent trips. If the front passenger seat has the driver's stuff on it you'll be limited to 3 people in the back seat... but I have often ridden in the front seat which would suit the tall member of your group. And as Kerouac said, you needn't take the first car at a taxi rank... if the 3rd one is a minivan, go ahead and take it.

Judy

Streetwise Paris map has taxi stands noted. Once you get there, look for l'Indispensable Paris Urbain Plans and Transports......small blue book with maps which include bus, metro, and bikes. I believe I found mine at either a newstand or Tabac.

TDudette

What about getting a card from the driver of the large taxi so you or hotel can call?

Margaretlb

I've always found taxi stands easy to find in Paris. They are always (or seem to be to be always) at a Metro entrance. And, unless things have changed in the past two years, I have never had a problem hailing a cab. Just like in NYC, if the light is on, it is available. A cab will not pick you up if there is a taxi stand in sight and the cabby will usually point to the taxi stand (at least, that's been my experience).
I have had a small taxi that was next in line at my hotel try to jam my luggabe into too smal a trunk and when I refused the cab (the can of petrol that he was ready to place on top of my luggage was way over the top!)there was alot of no, he's next in line. I simply demanded the next cab and got it. Remember, in Europe the worker is always right - not the customer Even in a foreign county you may from time to time have to demand what you require (and that's not being an ugly American).

greg

Whether a taxi is easy to find once you get to Paris depends on several factors. For people who happened to be in circumstances where taxis are easy to find, it appears finding a taxi is not an issue.

However, if you try to look for a taxi between 4pm and 6pm in the core area or when it is raining, all the taxis you see seem to be occupied. I think the number of licensed taxis in Paris is capped at 15900.

Also, unlike the U.S., if you, hotel, restaurant, etc, calls a taxi for you, the meter drops immediately while heading to you, so you will see 5-7EU already on the meter when it arrives.

You mentioned you are traveling with those who prefer taxi - you mean over public transits? If this is a physical mobility, claustrophobia issue etc, then you have to contend with the taxi availability. If they choose taxis over public transit because that is what they do where they live, perhaps in Alabama where you seem to be from, you might want to rethink this restriction. During rush hour, like other big cities, it is slow getting around in Paris without using Metro or RER.

nukesafe

BTW, does anyone have a link to an online map that shows all of the taxi stands in Paris? I have Googled extensively, but nothing shows up. I can find all the Velib stands, but not Taxi stands. Is a puzzlement.

Judy

I agree with Greg. Last month some friends taxied from Musee d'Orsay to our apartment on Quai Henry IV at rush hour. It took them 1 1/2 hours and a huge sum of money due to traffic issues.

You may want to look at using public transportation during peak traffic hours.

JeanneB

I love the public transportation systems in Paris. Prefer bus, but only because the bus stop is usually closer to departure/arrival points than the metro. If the metro station is close enough...and I'm in a hurry...I'll take the subway.

The taxi preference is mostly because one of my sisters has arthritis and can't walk very far. They tend to think of taxis like New York, where one can flag down a cab most hours of the day. They just don't realize that there's usually a bus stop closer than a cab stand. There are actually several bus stops within a couple of blocks of our apartment. I think they'll get the hang of it once we get there.

MaineGG

The Mairie de Paris has a page about taxis:

http://www.paris.fr/pratique/Portal.lut?page_id=384

For a map of the taxi stations, scroll down and click on:

>Consulter la carte au format pdf

nukesafe

Thank you, MaineGG. Just what I was looking for!