sharbear84

Hello,
I know there've been a lot of threads on this, but we are in a different location than most people so I still need some advice.
Our flight is tomorrow morning at 8:30 am from CDG to Milan, so I assume being there 2 hours in advance should be ok.
We are in Montreuill/Saint-Mande. Originally I thought the only public transportation option was the 1 Metro line to Chatelet, and then changing to the RER B.
But then I also saw on ratp.fr an option for the 351 bus if we walk a bit, which takes us right to the airport, although NOT to our terminal taht early in the morning if I understand the map correctly. Also ratp says the bus picks up from Porte de Montreuil, but it's not at all clear from the route map that it does. So needless to say the bus makes me a little nervous, but it is cheaper than the RER.
We really don't want to spend the money on a cab, but I should mention we have quite a bit of luggage as we are travelling for several months. My husband is fit and ready to carry the bags in Chatelet, but I am just kind of stressed out about the whole thing, so appreciate any advice on what route to take and when to leave.

Thanks!

justineparis

I thought your plan to take the RER was ok, till you mentioned lots of luggage,, Chatelet has LONG long passageways ,,lots of walking,possibilities of stairs, escaltors sometimes broken,so how much luggage is "lots"( I advise you to take less, no matter how long your is)

I would be nervous with bus option, they usually take alot longer ,, how early does bus leave?

Two hours is about right time, I think I have gone 1.5 hours ahead for inter europeon flights and been ok, but with security it does make sense to allow 2 hours ,,, sometimes you hit it unlucky and end up waiting alot longer to get through security then you had planned. Also you have to allow time to get to terminal if you take bus,, and CDG is large, spread out, and for many if not most of us , confusing.

justineparis

Should say this,, I personally would take a taxi,, you've spent thousands on this trip,, this may not be the best time to economize,, have a sandwich for lunch on a park bench for two days instead of lunch at a restaurant,, that will make up for this little extra expendature, and save you alot of stress.

StCirq

Lots of luggage = take a taxi.

sharbear84

Hahaha....had a feeling people might say this. I don't know if a lot is the right word...two medium sized bag, one rolling carry-on, and a backpack. We've trekked all over Europe with these bags, and I've been in and out of the stations over the past months so I have a sense of what' s involved. Though the bus might be easier but can't find much about it so possibly not the time to be trying that out.
If we go the metro/RER route, I think we should leave an hour and a half for all of it, yeah?

sharbear84

oh and apparently the bus leaves as early as 5:30 am.

Michael

We've taken the bus on the hottest day of the year when Paris had its terrible heat wave--I think that the temperature reached 40C. It is a long ride and requires an extra ticket or two. Check if the RATP web site will give you an actual schedule for the bus.

sharbear84

Thanks Michael. I did see that it would cost three tickets. I found a schedule but its different on saturdays, different in the mornings, so I'm still trying to sort it out. Do you remember how long it took you?

sharbear84

Now that I think about it, I'm not even sure the metro or bus run early enough...

Gretchen

This is tomorrow. YOu have 4 bags between you--two of them full handfuls. As you say, you've been there done that.
Seems easiest to take a taxi and chalk it up to realistic travel expense. JMO.

sharbear84

Yeah, I think the taxi is how it has to be. Thanks everyone!