loveyblue

I will be traveling with my mother and aunt to Paris next summer. We will each be pulling a mid size checked bag and each of us will have either a small drag bag or a backpack.

What is the best mode of transportation for the three of us plus our baggage to get from CGD to hotel in Paris? And then from our hotel to the train station? We will be spending 5 days in Paris before traveling to the south of France for a week then returning to Paris for a few day before heading home.

I would prefer not to have to take two cabs and I am not sure that we will all fit into one taxi.

Thank you for your help.
loveyblue

Judy

I don't see a problem with 3 of you and your bags in a taxi. Most taxis can hold luggage for 3 but, if not, you can keep a backpack on your lap. I'd choose taxi or private shuttle depending on time of day (if rush hour, shuttle)

doug_stallings

I think you'll fit in a single taxi, but if you are concerned, you can also arrange for a car/van pick-up from the airport. I did this a couple of years ago when I went to Paris with my partner and his niece and nephew (they had huge bags). It's comparable (or a little more) than a taxi, but I can't remember the name of the company I used (it was recommended here on this board). You make the reservation in advance and then call after you've picked up your luggage. They will tell you which door to meet the car/van at.

As a side note: Consider taking smaller luggage ... certainly nothing larger than a 22-inch rolling bag if you can. This will make it easier for you to get on and off the train as well since you will have to be able to carry and stow your own bags on the train. And with bags this size, you'll also have no trouble fitting into a single taxi to go to the train station.

fmpden

You should probably take the time between now and summer to reduce you luggage load to one carry on size bag each. A hired car might be best since you can asked for a larger sedan or van to handle your luggage. You might ask the hotel to arrange a shared shuttle van. And the same situation would exist for getting from hotel to train station. You need to easily handle your luggage since train stations can often involve long walks to the platforms and many times stairs between platforms. Also when one is loaded down with lots of luggage you present a more favorable target for pickpockets.

Judy

Have you considered heading south from CDG? Easy train connection, then train from southern France into central Paris and finish your trip in Paris. Cuts down on some checking in and out and lots of transportation issues.

denisea

Taxi and pare down the luggage! You can do it...I used to take a ton of stuff and now just take a rollerboard, even in winter! You will be so glad you did...much less hassle!

loveyblue

Thanks to all for your helpful replies! I usually travel with just my husband and wasn't really sure if 3 of us would
fit in a taxi.

And our baggage...yes we have all pared down over the years. All suitcases will be 22" or smaller. We have just found it is easier to load and unload two smaller bags rather than a larger more awkward piece. I usually have a small roller bag and a small backpack. Suitcases will not be full going - but we do have some shoppers in the group! So by the time we leave Paris I expect both bags will be needed. (I also usually have a small compressed tote in the bottom of my bag if needed.)

Again, I appreciate your prompt answers.

loveyblue

greg

There are several options.

Manage the car capacity. You might have to wait longer for a taxi big enough for you.

Manage the luggage size as others noted.

Manage the number of times you have to use taxi. Your current itinerary requires 6 taxi rides, 2 rides to/from the airport, 4 times to/from hotel. If you head south immediately from CDG, you have 3 taxi trips to/from hotel and 1 trip to the airport. Alternatively depending on where "south" you are going and whether you have already booked your flight, you can fly into, for example Nice. If you are staying in Nice, you total taxi ride for your trip with luggage is 4 times, while if you need to head somewhere between Nice and Paris, you will need 5 total taxi rides.

ParisAmsterdam

There is usually a dispatcher in the taxi line at CDG... he will match a party to the required size of cab. There are many minivan taxis that will take larger and more heavily laden parties than yours.

I'm not sure why people seem to think Parisian cabs are tiny... in addition to many vans, I seem to more often than not get a Mercedes cab... more than ample room for 3 and luggage!

ira

Hi LB,

Take a cab. about 55E

Christina

There are a lot more huge taxis nowadays, vans, etc. I saw one a few weeks ago at some airport (I think Lyon) that was even bigger than a minivan. I don't think that's a problem.

I thought it was too much luggage also as a midsized suitcase sounds like at least 25 inches and perhaps more. I don't call a 22 inch midsize, but if that's it, seems okay. I think it is personal preference whether you like one larger bag versus two small ones.

loveyblue

Thanks again for your help. I would like to have been able to cut out a couple of the cab rides, but because of a wedding and a cooking class tour this is simply the best schedule we could do.
loveyblue

MelJ

A cab split three ways is economical, easy and fast. I've used a car service and waited almost two hours for them to show up with a bunch of excuses. Arriving tired in the morning and sitting with your luggage while you wait for your car is no fun.

The taxi stands are well organized and easy to find. The taxi dispatcher will look at you and your luggage and pick a cab that can comfortably hold you all.

As for your trip to the south, will you be returning to the same hotel/apartment? If so, consider leaving a lot of your "stuff" and taking just a small carry-on each so you can take the metro to the station.

Have a wonderful trip!

Christina

amen to that. A cab ride split amongst three people doesn't cost any more than those shuttle vans or car service. It's about the same in that situation. This is whether 3 people are each paying or not, the cost per person isn't any greater for a taxi. besides, I think the ride from CDG is the only one where a car service could be used. You aren't going to save much if you used the metro to go to/from train stations within Paris and hotel, you're only talking a savings of maybe a few euro per person. This isn't a big cost when that many people share a cab.

Mathieu

Just a couple of weeks ago I flew into Paris twice and used 2 ways to get into the city from CDG.
One was using the Air France shuttle (costs about 12 euro) which take you to specific points in the city which may or may not be close to your hotel; the other was by taking the RER and then the metro (one ticket costing around 9.2 euros covers both rail systems) from CDG into Paris. Both these options, while fairly inexpensive, involve at least 70 minutes travel and can be fun if you want to experience a different side of Paris and the suburbs while travelling safely with locals. It was a different experience, and I personally quite enjoyed both of them. The bus took me to Montparnasse station which is where I needed to be; I took the RER to Denfert Rochereau where I transferred to the metro, which dropped me a few steps from my hotel after 6 very quick stops.

However I think the 3 of you would be better off with a cab or car service. Make sure you choose a vehicle large enough for the 3 of you and your luggage, and note that most cabs allow 1 free piece of luggage pp and each additional piece thereafter costs 1 euro. You'd probably spend the same time getting to where you're going as on the train, but being bogged in downtown traffic is highly likely, as I was when I took the bus.

What train station are you taking to get to the South of France ? Are you returning to the same station ? I did a side trip to the West coast using Gare Montparnasse and Gare Austerlitz so can give you some info if you're using either of those stations.

CYESQ

Just go to the taxi stand and you will not have a problem getting a van type taxi to take you all to your hotel.