sweetsouthernbelle

So, we've got the honeymoon planned out and we're really excited. Now, we need help choosing a hotel that is safe and not at the airport (as it's noisy and too far from the city center), but that is also not directly in the center of the city (because of time it'll take to get back to the airport the next evening). Here's the itinerary:

Land in Paris on 11 April
1-Hr flight via AirFrance to London Heathrow on 16 April (arrive at 9pm)
1-Hr Return flight via AirFrance to Paris CDG on 19 April (arrive at 6pm)
Fly home to the states on 20 April (leave around 4pm)

So, we need help with where to stay for that last night back in Paris before we fly home. I know the airport is not in the city (or close) so we don't want to stay there (in case there's something we want to catch before we leave in the city center), but I know that bringing all the luggage back to the airport the next afternoon will be a task if we're way in the center of the city, so we need help finding a place for that night. Which arrondissements are closer? Which is the best to stay in (as I know north, especially northeast of the city is a lil higher on the crime side)?

Thanks so much!!!

janisj

"<i>I know that bringing all the luggage back to the airport the next afternoon will be a task if we're way in the center of the city,</i>"

I don't quite understand that part. The 'schlepp factor' would be about the same from anywhere except right AT the airport. And I certainly would agree you don't want to stay at CDG. If you are staying even a few miles from CDG -- it would take the same amount of effort to get you and the luggage to the airport. You'd use a taxi or public transport whichever area you stayed.

Guess I'm trying to say -- w/ those times, I personally stay in the very center of Paris. And just how much luggage are you talking about? If you pack sensibly there shouldn't be an issue.

sweetsouthernbelle

Yes, we're not expecting to have more than a big suitcase each and maybe a carryon. We haven't started packing yet but we may be able to even condense that much luggage. Thanks for your suggestion to stay at center city. We're thinking if we leave at 4:15, we should get to CDG at 1:15 because it's always a zoo, so we should leave where we are at 12:15. How long do you think transit time would be? Also, do you know what the average hotel check-out time is in Paris? Maybe we could get them to do a late check-out if we mention it in advance, and we could grab a bite to eat, pick up our things, then head to the airport.

What are your thoughts on this?

ParisAmsterdam

If you stay anyhwere near an RER B station you'll have an easy ride in and out from the airport.

You can stay almost anywhere in 'central' Paris for about a 50 euro cab ride.

The train takes about 35 minutes from Gare du Nord, up to another 10 minutes if you are staying
on the Left Bank.

If your flight is back to the US you will need to be at the airport 3 hours ahead.

Christina

I don't think you understand that CDG airport isn't in Paris or even on the city boundary (which can be true in some cities, like Nice). It is in a suburb called Roissy about 12-15 miles away, I'd guess. Paris is only a couple miles across either direction, so if you are in a hotel closest to CDG, it's not going to change the distance that much. But, it will a little if that is a big thing to you. I had a much shorter taxi ride from CDG when I was staying in the 9th arr than where I usually am in the 14th (and in the 14th, they go south to get on the peripherique sometimes, which takes even longer than a direct line, of course).

The problem is the arrondisements closest to CDG are not the best for many tourists in your situation to stay and don't have that many great hotels (ie, the upper 17th to 20th).

I'm not following you on the luggage issuees. If you take a taxi or even shuttle van, what different does it make, the vehicle takes the luggage. If you take the RER train, it still doesn't make any difference once you are on it whether you start at Gare du Nord or start at Port Royal. Same for an airport bus, what difference does the distance make.

So what method do you intend to use to get to the airport, and maybe someone can recommend a hotel -- ie, if it's the RER, choose one near an RER stop. I'd recommend a hotel near Luxembourg stop, there are some nice ones there and it's a more pleasant area than near St Michel or Chatelet IMO. Look at these
http://www.hoteldupantheon.com/

I think the avg hotel checkout time is 11 am to noon. The actual transit time will be 45-60 minutes but that's once you are on whatever, not total time to get to it, etc. IF you take a group shuttle van it may pick up others.

YOu could go to the airport around noon. A hotel will keep your bags in their luggage area for you even after you've checked out, believe me, they are going to want you to check out of your room so they can clean it.

janisj

It really doesn't matter what the hotel's check out time is. Just about every hotel will hold your bags after you check out. So you could even checkout at 8 AM if you wanted to. Spend a few hours seeing something you missed earlier, go back to teh hotel and then travel out to CDG.

I'd stay somewhere near the Saint-Michel RER/Metro station -- it is close to Notre Dame, the River, etc - and on the direct line to CDG.

jpie

As others have said, especially if you plan to take the RER to CDG, then anywhere on the B line is good. If you plan to take a cab then someplace to consider would be Mama Shelter in the 20th: www.mamashelter.com. It is at the right edge of Paris. Not convenient by RER though since you have to take a bus back to gare du nord then take the RER from there-but great location for a cab.

Also, we have stayed at the Ibis Hotel at the RER station sometimes called Ibis Hotel Paris-CDG Terminal at Roissypôle) at CDG. That is also convenient because you just walk out from the RER and the hotel is right there and then you hop the connecting transport to the terminal. That is nice because you can have your room there-go into to Paris for the last day/evening and then just take the RER back up after dinner. Here is a link: http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-14...location.shtml


My preference would still be somewhere along the B line like the places suggested here, but I just wanted to give you a couple of other ideas.

ira

Hi SSB,

Is there a reason for not flying into Paris and out of London?