A few Paris questions
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2024
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A few Paris questions
1) I'm flying into CDG. Is a taxi from the taxi stand the best way to get to my hotel on the Left Bank?
2) I'm leaving Paris on the Eurostar. What is the best way to get from my hotel to Gare du Nord?
3) Do you have a recommendation for a Paris at night tour?
4) Do you have a recommendation for a Seine river cruise?
2) I'm leaving Paris on the Eurostar. What is the best way to get from my hotel to Gare du Nord?
3) Do you have a recommendation for a Paris at night tour?
4) Do you have a recommendation for a Seine river cruise?
#2

Joined: Sep 2013
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1) I'm flying into CDG. Is a taxi from the taxi stand the best way to get to my hotel on the Left Bank? "Best" is subjective. You have options to take RER to metro, taxi, bus. Depends on your preference or price point, how many you are, how much luggage, mobility concerns, etc.?
Where you are coming from may also determine our recommendations. I personally prefer taking RER/Metro, but I travel light, have no mobility issues, and coming from the US and can be alert enough to navigate (and have experience doing so). So, if you prefer the taxi, that might be the best choice for you.
2) I'm leaving Paris on the Eurostar. What is the best way to get from my hotel to Gare du Nord? Ditto to "best" and same questions remain as #1 in terms how many you are, luggage, mobility, etc. What is your hotel? That might help us direct you better.
3) Do you have a recommendation for a Paris at night tour? Any specific interest you are wanting to cover here? General walking tour? Specific history?
4) Do you have a recommendation for a Seine river cruise?
I've done both Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisien. I preferred Parisien. I booked a cruise that departed right before sunset and saw the city lit up on the water. It is a bit over-touristy, especially nowadays but I enjoyed it. I will say, though, I have not done one since 2006. I have no current experience. If you want a dinner cruise, be warned that often people find the food to be overpriced and mediocre. YMMV.
Where you are coming from may also determine our recommendations. I personally prefer taking RER/Metro, but I travel light, have no mobility issues, and coming from the US and can be alert enough to navigate (and have experience doing so). So, if you prefer the taxi, that might be the best choice for you.
2) I'm leaving Paris on the Eurostar. What is the best way to get from my hotel to Gare du Nord? Ditto to "best" and same questions remain as #1 in terms how many you are, luggage, mobility, etc. What is your hotel? That might help us direct you better.
3) Do you have a recommendation for a Paris at night tour? Any specific interest you are wanting to cover here? General walking tour? Specific history?
4) Do you have a recommendation for a Seine river cruise?
I've done both Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisien. I preferred Parisien. I booked a cruise that departed right before sunset and saw the city lit up on the water. It is a bit over-touristy, especially nowadays but I enjoyed it. I will say, though, I have not done one since 2006. I have no current experience. If you want a dinner cruise, be warned that often people find the food to be overpriced and mediocre. YMMV.
#3

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,266
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In addition to Travel Nerd's very good questions and answers, here are mine
1. Is this your first visit to Paris? Are you comfortable traveling on public transportation? Also consider your arrival time into CDG. On one trip, we arrived on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The roads were full of Paris residents returning from weekends in the countryside, and it seemed like we sat in the taxi forever.
2. Nothing more to add here, except also consider whether you will be traveling at rush hour
3. See my answer to 4
4. We have taken the cruise on Vedettes de Pont Neuf numerous times; we usually stay in the St. Germaine area, so getting on the boat at Pont Neuf is quite close by. We also take an evening cruise, to see the lights of the city and of the Eiffel Tower.
1. Is this your first visit to Paris? Are you comfortable traveling on public transportation? Also consider your arrival time into CDG. On one trip, we arrived on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The roads were full of Paris residents returning from weekends in the countryside, and it seemed like we sat in the taxi forever.
2. Nothing more to add here, except also consider whether you will be traveling at rush hour
3. See my answer to 4
4. We have taken the cruise on Vedettes de Pont Neuf numerous times; we usually stay in the St. Germaine area, so getting on the boat at Pont Neuf is quite close by. We also take an evening cruise, to see the lights of the city and of the Eiffel Tower.
#5
Joined: Dec 2006
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1. In addition to some of the variables mentioned above (especially where, exactly, your hotel is), it seems to me than an inexpensive metro from CDG is well worth considering rather than an expensive taxi. The metros in Paris are, IME, easy, clean, and comfortable. You can use Rome2Rio.com or even google maps to identify your options.
#6
Joined: Apr 2013
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1. In addition to some of the variables mentioned above (especially where, exactly, your hotel is), it seems to me than an inexpensive metro from CDG is well worth considering rather than an expensive taxi. The metros in Paris are, IME, easy, clean, and comfortable. You can use Rome2Rio.com or even google maps to identify your options.
#7

Joined: Mar 2003
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1. In addition to some of the variables mentioned above (especially where, exactly, your hotel is), it seems to me than an inexpensive metro from CDG is well worth considering rather than an expensive taxi. The metros in Paris are, IME, easy, clean, and comfortable. You can use Rome2Rio.com or even google maps to identify your options.
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#9

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Last edited by Michael; Jun 20th, 2024 at 09:05 AM.
#12
Joined: Apr 2013
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#13

Joined: Oct 2005
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Victors Cab is a great source, but if going to the Left Bank, check out route map of the RER B which we always take there -- we've staying in the eastern end of the 5th, almost in the 6th arr. We take it to the Luxembourg Gardens stop but the one just before might serve you better depending on your hotel site.
#15

Joined: Oct 2013
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I often use a taxi on arrival from airport or train station if I have any misgiving about being able to find the hotel easily. I hate roaming around with a suitcase looking for the hotel entrance. It's happened.
After that I use public transportation.
After that I use public transportation.
#18

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,685
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https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/pass...de-gaulle/taxi
I arrived on a Sunday when the RER was under construction. As a solo, I took the Roissybus, but I did take it from Terminal 3, where it originates. Easier than catching at T1 or T2. My hotel was walkable from the Opera bus stop, though. When I return with family, I plan to use a taxi.
#19
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2024
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1) There are two of us and we each will have a checked bag and a backpack. No mobility issues. We live in a big city in the US.
2) We are staying over by Notre Dame.
3) We've been to Paris before so just a tour someone has done and loved.
4) Thanks for the tip, we will skip a dinner cruise.
2) We are staying over by Notre Dame.
3) We've been to Paris before so just a tour someone has done and loved.
4) Thanks for the tip, we will skip a dinner cruise.
#20
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Joined: Jan 2024
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1. We've both been to Paris but not for many years. We live in a big city here in the US so we take public transportation daily. My concern with public transportation is that we each will have a checked bag and a backpack. As long as there is a spot for our bags, that would be my preferred way to travel.
2. We arrived midday on a Wednesday.
4. Perfect -- thank you!
We have taken the cruise on Vedettes de Pont Neuf numerous times; we usually stay in the St. Germaine area, so getting on the boat at Pont Neuf is quite close by. We also take an evening cruise, to see the lights of the city and of the Eiffel Tower.
2. We arrived midday on a Wednesday.
4. Perfect -- thank you!
We have taken the cruise on Vedettes de Pont Neuf numerous times; we usually stay in the St. Germaine area, so getting on the boat at Pont Neuf is quite close by. We also take an evening cruise, to see the lights of the city and of the Eiffel Tower.

