amy

Any suggestions about the best way to get from the airport to my hotel in Paris? I'd rather not take the Metro just because handling my bags will be a pain. Thanks.

s fowler

Unless you are going to be abroad for a considerable period of time your statement that "handling your bags would be a pain" tells me you are taking too much. Having said that [and my apologies if there are special circumstances], if your hotel is near a RER station [suburban trains] that is the cheapest way from CGD. We arrived last time in the middle of a trucker's strike [all the roads were blocked], so the RER was the ONLY way we were going to get there. I am sure other can tell you about the buses to the air terminals in the city. We took a cab back to the airport at the end of our stay and my memory is that it wasn't outrageous, but then we're used to city prices being from Chicago! In any case enjoy Paris

Monica

We took the courtesy bus to the RER and got off at St. Michele. If your hotel isn't near an RER stop, you can just transfer to the metro. Very easy. It was about $8.50 per person.

Mike

Depending on the number in your party, you might try a "Paris Chauffeur Driven Minibus Service". We are considering using this for our family of 4 in Dec.
It is on the internet at www.wfi.fr/eurogreetings/.
I first heard about it on Fodors but don't remember when the posting was. If you can't find the site let me know.

Christina

Take a cab, that's the easiest and quickest way
and they don't cost that much--about $40-50 from
CDG to Left bank, less to Right. If you have 2+
persons to split cost, it will barely be more than
taking a combination Air France bus to central
dropoff spot and then taxi. I travel fairly lightly
and regardless, ANY luggage at all is a pain within
the metro and NOT a good way to start a journey.
Unless your hotel is within sight of a metro stop,
you will then need to get another cab to it.
I disagree with the advice to take the RER (metro)
from CDG to your hotel unless you have minimal/no
baggage (i.e., maybe one small duffel bag). I don't
understand those who are willing to waste hours of
their time, exhaust themselves, etc. on their first
day, probably suffering from jet lag, in order to
save a couple of dollars.
If you are indeed looking for the cheapest, rather
than best way, either do metro stuff (you'll need
to figure out tickets, map, closest stop to you
hotel, how to get to hotel from stop, etc.) or
take the Air France bus (about $10-12) to either
the Arc de Triomphe or Montparnasse stop, and then
take cab if you need it from there. The AF bus
is preferable to metro because it doesn't involve
complexities and dragging luggage up and down stairs.

Monica

I had a small suitcase with rollers (just over the carry-on size), so it was no problem on the metro! We were not tired but excited about our first trip to Paris! It did not take any longer. We went straight to the bus, to the RER. Walked a few blocks to our hotel. Remember, there are many metro stops in Paris, so one need never walk a long distance. Some people must budget and can't afford $40-50 for a taxi ride. Some people would rather budget and splurge for a special dinner. What ever you choose, enjoy your trip!

greg

Where precisely does the AF bus stop at Arc de Triomphe? My hotel may be just near the stop or a quarter mile on the otherside of the Arc de Triomphe.

Mike

Do the Paris taxis allow more than 4 people to ride at once? I was under the impression they only liked to carry 2 passengers at a time.

Christina

First, re the Air France dropoff spot -- I'm not
absolutely sure since I've only taken it to Montparnasse,
but I think I saw on a map on the plane (AF) once
that it stops on the NE side of the ARC, just off
the Place CDG. If you have a map of Paris, I think
the stop is on either Av. de Friendland, Av. Hoche
or Av. Wagram, just off the Place (i.e., right next
to one of the CDG metro stop entrances). Maybe
somebody else who's taken it can say for sure. It
only costs about 45FF, I think, to go to the right
bank; as I recall it's 72FF to go to Montparnasse Tower.
FYI, they also have a stop at Porte Maillot. Oh,
there's also a Roissy Bus (city-run) from CDG that
stops on Rue Scribe next to the Opera Garnier bldg;
about same price as AF bus.
Re the taxis, it wasn't clear if carrying more than
4 people meant more than 4 passengers (?if so, NO,
where would you sit?) or if that number included the
driver. Generally, 3 passengers will not be a problem,
(assuming your luggage fits in the trunk); I think
they are legally allowed to carry 4 passengers (you
will see the surcharge price for this on the window
sticker), but may not if there is not enough room,
especially in the trunk. Two adults and two smaller
children with not excessive luggage should be okay.