Anonymous123

RER Train:
We are thinking of taking the RER train from CDG airport to Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, or St Michel/Nôtre Dame. From there we would take a taxi to our hotel (near Tuliares).
I have read that getting from the subterranean RER to street level or getting through a huge metro station at Gare du Nord and Chatelet can be quite difficult with luggage. Not to mention being a target for pickpockets. If it would be an easier access to street level at St.Michel /Notre Dame we get off the train there.

Roissy Bus:
Another possibility would be to take the bus from CDG to the Opera Garnier area and then taking a taxi.

Recommendations would be helpful

Gekko

Particularly if you're on a redeye and will be dead tired, just spend the extra bucks and take a cab from CDG to your hotel.

It's money well-spent and you won't regret it.

Michael

The bus to Opera Garnier + the taxi might be the best option.

tuscanlifeedit

I taken the RER to all these stations, and find Gare du Nord and into a taxi from the train to be the simplest. I would guess that the Roissy bus and taxi would be very easy, too. Maybe even easier because I believe they might put your bags under the bus. No dragging them on and off the train. Someone else here can probably verify that.

spaarne

To get to Tuileries from CDG I suggest taking the Air France Les Cars bus to Place de l'Etoile at the north side of the Arc and then a taxi. It is very convenient and safe. Pickpockets don't ride a bus that costs €15. And you get a good view of Paris on the trip.

crckwc1

We prefer taking the bus to RER/metro. Dragging luggage around, up stairways, etc., isn't fun. On the bus, a handler puts your luggage in a compartment underneath and on arrival he removes it for you. Then you can either walk to your hotel or take a short taxi ride. We have taken both Roissy bus and Air France bus, depending on our destination. Both are air conditioned and quite comfortable.
A taxi is great if you don't mind the fare. Other options are a shuttle or private car, usually available from your hotel.

almcd

Take a taxi and go direct to your hotel. The cost is tiny compared to the overall cost of your vacation. The only downside is that if you have to travel during rush hour, it will be more expensive.

gh21

RER fro CDG to Gare du Nord, then taxi to hotel. We did this with very little inconvenience and cheaper than taxi from CDG to hotel.No stairs, taxi line at Gare du nord moves quickl.

Michel_Paris

When do you arrive?
Fastest and cheapest is the RER/Metro combo. I've done iot multiple times. Beacsue the RER line starts at CDG, you can ge on and 'stake' your territory. Pickpockets...like every city there are some, but I would not adjust my choice based on that.

Roissybus or the Etoile with Air France Bus would get you closest. For both of those, you could cab or Metro from the drop off. Both have Metro lines that directly run to Louvre area.

The eternal argument seems to be will a person be too tired to navigate the system, or will it be too crowded, or taxi is such a small cost.

apersuader65

How much luggage are you talking about? Once stowed piece on wheels and a regular carryon? Trunks?

We took the train from CDG to Gare du Nord, transfered to get to St. Lazare in March. Wife's bag was (as I indicated to her it would be) way too large for her to manage. We switched bags, she pulling my 20" bag, I pulling her 28" trunk, plus backpack and she had large purse. Niece and Nephew were with us and they pulled their own bags. Stressful for DW and Niece, but doable.

If you have more than one bag to tow, I'd either cab or shuttle, depending upon the number of people and time of arrival. Two people, I'd get a shuttle, it'll cost less than a taxi for two.

Christina

I don't think anyone has commented on the fact that the Tuileries are not very far from the Chatelet/LH RER exit and some taxis may not want to take you a few blocks. Legally, I think they are supposed to, of course, but I wouldn't try to get into an argument over that and try to force a drive to take you a short distance, as you might lose. So I'd suggest if you want a taxi partial way, some other plan might be better (eg, the bus to the Etoile or get out at Gare du Nord, etc.).

spaarne

<i>gh21 on Aug 12, 11 at 10:48am
RER fro CDG to Gare du Nord, then taxi to hotel. We did this with very little inconvenience and cheaper than taxi from CDG to hotel.No stairs, taxi line at Gare du nord moves quickl.
</i>
The taxi rank at Gare du Nord also has some resident gypsy women who will be happy to take your money, and anything else they can pick.

ira

Hi An,

Take a cab. About 50E.

ira

Hi An,

I'm assuming that you are no longer a thirty-something.

Take a cab. About 50E.

I know that it seems to be expensive, but you don;t want to drag luggage through the train stations and then have to take a cab anyway.

djkbooks

I agree that, after an overnight flight, just heading for the taxi queue and being delivered with bags to the entrance of our hotel or apartment is worth every €uro. If I had to economize, I'd do it in other ways.

We had to use the RER to go to CDG one trip when there was a taxi strike day of departure (so no Roissybus, shuttles, etc., either). It's on the never again unless absolutely necessary list. We managed just fine, but it would have been much better if we were 30 years younger with only one small/lightweight bag of some sort each (or no bags at all).

Few shuttle services are totally reliable or save you much (if anything) versus a taxi. A "shared" shuttle is dreadful unless you don't mind driving all over collecting and delivering other passengers along the way, which can add a lot of time to the journey.

ssander

We like the RER just fine and have always taken it...but we only have a couple of carry-ons (typically for a 1-week trip for two from the US).

With regular-sized bags, I'd probably opt for something else. The overhead bins on the trains are small and the trains can get crowded in the morning heading toward the city.

Pickpockets are completely irrelevant for this decision IMHO.

The main criteria are (a) how much luggage you have and (b) how comfortable/experienced are you navigating public transit.

Personal note: I actually am less stressed on the RER than I would be in a cab or an airport bus -- I'm a type A personality and would go nuts in bad traffic if I'm anxious to reach my hotel -- even if I'm not the driver.


SS

SS

Sarastro

For two of you, a taxi from CDG will probably cost no more than one of the combination choices. While the RER has the fastest en route times into Paris, it is not the fastest way to reach your hotel. By the time your make your way to either of the RER stations, purchase your tickets, and wait for the next departure, a taxi will be well on its way into Paris.

At approximately 50€, a taxi is really only marginally more expensive than most options for two (except private shuttles which typically charge almost double for the same service).

apersuader65

Private shuttle - 70 E traffic delays not extra charge.
Taxi, 50E ish can have traffic delay costs
RER/taxi combo - 30E

Luggage is the most significant issue. Traffic is second. Since you're going to hotel immediately and don't have to worry about getting anywhere at a specific time, take the taxi.

We did a shuttle the first time in Paris. RER our second. DW tells me our next trip Paris from CDG WILL be by taxi!

Sarastro

Let´s fine tune these transportation estimates.

<b>Private Shuttle</b>

Parishuttle - 80€ to 100€
www.parishuttle.com

Super Shuttle - 95€
www.supershuttle.com

Paris Blue Van - 62.50€ to 95€
http://www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/

<b>Taxi</b>

50€ to 55€ to most addresses in Central Paris. With absolutely no traffic, the price would be closer to 40€ (experiencing minimal traffic, I recently paid 42€ to the 9th arrondissment). Acknowledging that there is always some traffic delay, estimates include a 10€ 15€ margin.

To the metered fare, add: 3€ per each passenger after the third (taxis can transport up to 8) and 1€ for each bag after the first. Most drivers, 80%, are owner/operators associated with various companies such as Taxi G7. There is no need to reserve when departing the airport, taxis are always available. On rare occasions there may be a short wait as available taxis move to meet the demands of different terminals. The taxi queues are but steps from the customs exits. Avoid accepting rides from clandestine operators soliciting from inside the terminals.

Tipping is not mandatory, 3-5% of the fare is more than sufficient. Virtually all taxis now accept credit cards. However if you want to pay by credit card, clarify your intentions before departing the airport to avoid any misunderstanding.

For early morning Paris to CDG service, reserve to preclude unknown delays:

Taxi G7
English speaking operator - 01 41 27 66 99
www.taxig7.com (you can book on line in English)

The RER does have fast en route times but from the customs exit to your hotel´s doorstep, taxis are the overall fastest, most consistently reliable transportation option.


<b>Transportation Combinations</b>

RER costs - 9.10€ per person
Roissybus - 10€
Short distance taxi rides (under 30 minutes) - 10€ to 20€

These hybrid plans can sometimes save a few euros but they can also take alot of time from start to finish. Transporting/carrying luggage can an issue as well.

It´s really for each traveler to decide which option best fills his overall needs and balances cost vs convenience.

FrankS

Even my 1st time without wheels on my luggage, I didnt find the RER difficult. These days with bag in tow, the RER is all I will ever use

After sitting 8 hrs straight on my flight, the last thing I want to do on a European morning is spend extra for the pleasure of sitting another 1hr in a cab