treecopswife

We will be arriving at CDG on a Wednesday at about 1:30 in the afternoon. We are a family of four -2 adults, 2 older kids with four suitcases and a backpack for each of us. Trying to decide what would be the best mode of transportation to our apartment in Paris which is off of Clichy/Rouchechouart(Sp?) in between the Pigalle and Anvers stations. All of the taxi posts that I have seen on this forum are very old. Price-wise, what are should we expect? Or are we better off taking the RER to Metro? Jet-lag will not be an issue and we are all capable with our luggage and bags.

letsgeaux

I would take a cab. We have taken airport shuttle vans in the past and this worked out well, but the cabs are much more convenient and are not that expensive. I remember the ride costing about 60 euros. G-7 is an English speaking cab co. and they have vans that can accommodate 4 people and luggage.

Mathieu

Have you been to Paris before ? I ask because you sound quite knowledgable and comfortable with the transportation modes, which therefore leads me to suggest that if indeed you are, to hop on the RER and get to your apartment that way. I did exactly that on two occasions, with two pieces of luggage like each of you will and had no trouble getting to where I was going, changing once at Denfert Rochereau in my case.

Yes for sure a cab will be easier and convenient, but if you are all up to it and it sounds like you are, go for the train and join the locals. I loved it and enjoyed observing the different areas the train passes through on it's way into the city, and the diversity of people who get on and off at each stop. That's the Paris few see.
At that time of day you will also likely miss rush hour, which would be my only consideration.

KTtravel

Here is information from the CDG airport website:
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e...-transport.htm.

The RER B can take you directly to the Gare du Nord which may be close to where you are staying. What is your address in Paris?

StuDudley

Take a taxi. Don't stress with finding your way to the RER station at CDG, waiting/standing in line and purchasing 4 RER tickets, getting off at the correct station in Paris, waiting in line for a cab, etc.

Make it as easy/less stressful as possible on arrival day. Taxi is about 60-70E as "lets" mentioned.

Stu Dudley

RonZ

Taxi fare: meter reading plus €6 for xtra passengers and €1 per bag.

RonZ

Proceed directly to the taxi queue, refusing offers made along the way.

treecopswife

Mathieu, I have not been to Paris before, but have spent months studying a LOT to get familiar with the city, the transportation and the sights. Particularly looking up forums here on Fodor's, which has been fabulous! I guess I'm a nerd that way.
KTtravel, the address is on Rue de Cretet.

kerouac

For a group of 4, often a taxi to northern Paris is not much more expensive than the 4 x 9.75€ that you would pay for the RER.

However, if you prefer to take the RER (which is what I prefer to do), take it to Gare du Nord and follow the signs for the connection to metro line 2 at the back of the train (the vast majority of people will be going in the other direction). Metro line 2 will take you direct to Anvers and Pigalle.

manouche

I have never found mass transportation in Paris to be all that enchanting - but then I take it several times a day, so am probably a little jaded (and a lot more realistic). It is usually pretty convenient, though.

Even though jet lag won't be an issue and you are all "willing and able", given the price differential between 4 tickets and taxi fare for all of you and your stuff, I would just get a cab. It's easier, faster, will take you directly to your door, and is only a little more expensive. If you still feel like it, take RER when you depart. IMHO, it just doesn't make much sense to haul stuff around, unless you are counting centimes...

You will need a Maxi-taxi, so might have to wait a couple of minutes. Just stay in line, and don't go with anyone promising a "good deal". Don't let anyone other than the driver handle your luggage. Make certain to give your driver the complete address, including the postal code. Many places have similar names, so this will avoid confusion.

Sarastro

Taxis to the North of Paris from CDG can range from 45€ to 55€ depending time of day and day of the week. Wednesday afternoon the base fare should be on the low end. In addition to the base fare, there is a 3€ charge for the 4th passenger and 1€ per bag for the second and subsequent placed into the trunk. I should think a taxi would cost you around 50€, drivers are not tipped.

If this is your first visit to Paris I would take the taxi, particularly if it is raining. However, there is nothing wrong with the RER/métro.

Gretchen

Start your trip off stress free with a tour of Paris in a taxi. Just go to the taxi queue and they will get you a vehicle to fit. Price will be 50E or so.

Gretchen

Oh, take the address of your apartment printed out, and a little map doesn't hurt either to hand to the driver.

kerouac

It's funny that taxis relieve the stress of certain people. The main reason that I avoid them is that they <b>increase</b> my stress compared to public transportation.

Sarastro

I agree kerouac but you are not someone who has never been to Paris before nor are you someone who does not read or understand a word of French.

These factors change the equation enormously.

TPAYT

We also prefer the RER----BUT with the number of people & luggage, a taxi for sure.

My suggestion is to write the full address on a piece of paper. Sometimes our pronunciations are difficult to understand to the taxi drivers.

StuDudley

>>>My suggestion is to write the full address on a piece of paper.<<<

We ALWAYS do this - even though my wife speaks & pronounces French quite well.

Stu Dudley

chapla

I prefer the Roissy bus!

treecopswife

One thing I forgot to ask: in general, when taking any French taxi, should we be prepared to pay with cash, as an American cab, or do they take credit card? We also have a chip and pin.

kerouac

<I>I agree kerouac but you are not someone who has never been to Paris before</I>

But I also took public transportation Sao Paolo, Kuala Lumpur, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Jakarta, Berlin, Tokyo, Seoul, Dakar and Montréal, just to name a few places where I do or do not speak the language. I absolutely love taking public transportation. I find it much more interesting and all stress of taxis going off track is removed.

I was happy to take a taxi in Havana, Mombasa and Jeddah.

I was very unhappy taking a taxi in Manila, Amman, New York, Tunis and Nairobi.

Whenever there is a public transportation option, I try to take it, but I do not travel with a steamer trunk either. (Well, not since 1973 when I took my last steamer.)