Arriving in Paris
 

It is our first time travelling in Europe and we are arriving Tuesday , sept. 26 ...what is best way to get to our hotel? Book an airport shuttle ? I don't want to take a cab ....any help would be helpful.

What airport will you be arriving into? From CDG, Air France runs frequent bus service to Paris, with key drop off points. Train service is also an option. Read up on these choices in any decent guide book on Paris. Airport shuttles are iffy, often not showing up or involving long waits with multiple drop offs at various hotels. Cabs are often the best bet with regulated fare after a long haul flight.

I agree it really depends where you are going. The Air France airport bus is very comfortable and convenient if you are near one of their stops. Otherwise, you can certainly take the trains/underground and end up near your hotel but it may take a while and connections, depending where you are. Also, I wouldn't recommend that if you have tons of luggage, strollers, babies or little kids, stuff like that. The AF bus actually ends up costing the same as a taxi if you have several people.

There is a city airport bus that goes near the Opera which would work if you are near there, also.

Just a quick FYI, there is now a flat rate for taxis at the queue outside the terminal of 55€ into the city. It's easy, safe and no worry about being caught in traffic with the meter running.
Have a great visit and enjoy Paris.

Is there a reason you don't want to take a cab?

Jet lagged, first time in Europe... do yourselves a favor and just take a taxi from the airport. Fixed price and no hassle. Well worth it. Yes, train and bus are less but you seem like you'd benefit greatly from simplification of a taxi.

Is there a reason you don't want to take a cab?

Same here. Start your trip by forgetting what you know about things from home.
I suppose you have a reason for not taking cabs where you come from, but cabs are widely taken in France.

You can also take Uber, but don't ask me, I've never done it in my entire life. (and I keep saying I should do it at least once).

There is nothing easier than taking a taxi. Especially for a first timer (assuming you don't speak French) and if you've just gotten off a long overseas flight you'll be a bit jetlagged and disoriented.

I remember being a poor backpacker once and taking public transportation from the airport to my hotel was necessary. In this case consult any travel guide for all your options. I personally would take a taxi, especially if there is more than one of you.

BTW, we could be of more help if you would respond with what airport you will be using, and where your hotel is located.

And why you wouldn't want to take a taxi? Maybe there's a reason none of us are thinking of.

CDG? In what arrondissement is your hotel located? For the 5-6th, we always take the RER B to Luxembourg Gardens stop, cheapest, fastest, easiest.

"we always" means it's not your first trip to Europe, right? I think a good part of why so many are recommending a taxi it because these are newbies arriving Paris.

Thank you all...sorry for just getting back to this....arriving at CDG ..hotel is in district 18.. The cabs seemed to be expensive...60... Or more...

You need to determine your priorities. You can spend a bit more on a taxi (55€) and save yourself time and anxiety. Or you can spend less by using public transportation, deal with the confusion and frustrations inherent in being a first-timer in Paris ...

It's possible you'll make mistakes that will cost you time and money if you go for a train or bus.

I'd personally treat myself to a taxi door-to-door -- but Only can decide what you want to do.

On foot it is free. You go transatlantic means it costs some and you want to save in a cab. Ok.
It is not 60 or more it is 50. Cdg to right bank.
Now it is 10-12 via RER B. Follow the signs. Easy. Then at Gare du Nord switch to metro. Then you are in 18th

I have always taken the bus from CDG into the city. It's very easy, and I believe it was $12 (not sure if I'm correct) and they come every half hour. You can select the stop closest to your hotel then take an uber or taxi from there, saving you lots of $. The taxis often queue up at these airport bus stops. There's a website (parisbytrain.com) that explains several options for the bus or metro into the city). The bus is easier than the metro if you have several pieces of luggage.

If you are not familiar with taking mass transportation, I would recommend that you take a taxi, especially if you have more than one piece of luggage apiece.

Flat rates have been in effect for about a year. You will pay 50 EU to get to your hotel, no luggage fees.

It's a good idea to print out the complete address of your hotel, including the Postal Code, and hand it to the driver.
Just follow the overhead signs in CDG to the TAXI stand and wait in line.
Remember that legitimate taxi drivers always remain in their taxi unless they are loading your luggage.

Yes, avoid the taxi hustlers in the lobby. As to expense, you pay that fixed taxi rate and take it easy or you take the RER train and sort out the subway all by yourself.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I assume each person would have a suitcase with them? Think about dealing with that, on public transportation, in a large city you are not familiar with, where you don't speak the language. I think the 50 euro on a taxi would be money will spent.

"First time". "Book a shuttle".
A taxi is the easiest and most reliable way to get you to your hotel upon a first arrival.
You go to the taxi stand (well marked). You DON"T take a taxi from anyone who approaches you in the terminal.
A shuttle may require you to phone and tell them you are there and there are instances that they never show up--NOT a good way to start a first trip.
The shuttle for 2 is only slightly less than the fixed price of a taxi now.
As other say, print out your hotel name and address (and even a little map if you want). Enjoy your first ride into Paris, see the Eiffel Tower for the first time and relax.
For your return to CDG you may do something different--or not.

You can save money in other (easier) ways later in your trip. Walk everywhere. Use public transportation when you aren't hauling a suitcase around. Have a couple cheap picnic meals instead of a restaurant. Etc. Etc.

The amount of money you have spent to get airfare, lodging and meals are nothing compared to 50 EU for one taxi.
Just go ahead and do it.

Having just done this two weeks ago (first time to Paris, arriving at CDG, etc.): take a taxi. We were met by a local family friend who navigated us through the air terminal and then the massive station onto a train (subway?) to get to our hotel. While all the walking (so much walking!) felt great after a long flight, I am positive we NEVER would have been able to figure it all out on our own.

When we left this past Monday, we took a taxi from our hotel, 55EU flat rate. Easy peasy and worth every euro.

Take a taxi. Period. Problem solved.

Thank you everyone...we will take a taxi!

Hooray!!!!!!!

Just an FYI - Last summer, when I was in Paris, I took a picture of the sign at the airport bus stop right outside the main terminal at CDG. "Le Bus Direct" - the bus line that takes you to Paris cost $17 one way ($30 round trip) and makes 3 stops in Paris: Etoile/Champs Elysees; Trocadero; and Eiffel Tower. You can catch the bus at terminal 2 at doors E, F, D and A. It departs every half hour from 5:45a until 11pm. It's a large bus and luggage is stored underneath so you don't have to lug it up to your seats. At the etoile stop, there's a taxi queue so it's easy to take a taxi from there. I did take a Uber back to the airport on my return and that cost 50-60 euros. It can go as high as 80 or 90 depending on time of day and traffic. A Paris taxi costs more - closer to $80-90. (see www.taxifarefinder.com).

No A taxi has a fat fare 50 to right bank 55 to left. Euros.

<<. A Paris taxi costs more - closer to $80-90. (see www.taxifarefinder.com).>>

No it does not. There are flat fares now, as whathello has pointed out.

And Le Bus Direct fare is 17 EUROs, not dollars.

<i> A Paris taxi costs more - closer to $80-90.</i>

This information is incorrect. The flat fares from either CDG or ORY into Paris are explained here:

http://www.prefecturedepolice.interi...ars%202016.pdf

The flat fee is still perhaps a big higher than it should be, but it is an excellent compromise compared to the extremely variable fares of the past and the 'tourist route' that many taxis would take.

Did you book Uber in advance to go to the airport?
They are not supposed to occupy regular Parisien taxi stands, or pick up passengers on the street.
Uber also has surge pricing at rush hour.

Uber cannot use the bus lanes that Parisien taxis can - that's why your trip cost so much.

Only Parisien taxis can use the dedicated bus lanes - and get there faster.

Just back from Paris. On arrival, just followed the signs to Taxis. One hustler tried to divert us: "Don't use that door!" Then another guy came and said "I am an official taxi." All in English. Rejected them, in French. The official taxi line was easy, the cab was a joy to ride in compared to American taxis, and 55 euro to the left bank, no tip expected, baggage carried to the hotel door. Just have your hotel name and address written down clearly so the cabbie can put it into the GPS, especially if you don't speak French.

As a regular commuter between Paris and CDG, I would never recommand RER for a 1st timer.
Parisians get used to it and even laugh about it
http://www.legorafi.fr/2012/10/16/fe...e-et-en-rer-b/

Taxi is now the safest bet