CDG to Paris Hotel...Shuttle or private car service...help me decide
 

We'll be arriving in Paris on a Friday morning (8:30am-ish) in September.

I know I could take the RER train into Paris but I am traveling with my mom and I feel it would be better to be dropped off directly at our hotel (less of a hassle with bags on to and off of trains).

I have looked at a variety of shuttle and private car websites and have found the shuttle would cost between 34-38 Euro for both of us and the private car would be anywhere from 55 -95 Euro.

I know with a shuttle we would have to make several stops en route to our hotel and could take anywhere between 45-90 minutes (our hotel is in the Marais on Rue Castex) and the luxury of the private car is that there is only one stop.

Since we arrive early in the morning and can't check into the hotel until the afternoon, it's not imperitve to get to the hotel quickly.

I'd like to get your thoughts on using the shuttle vs. the private car. Which do you prefer?

If I went the private car route it would most likely be the less expensive option...but if we take the shuttle than we have more Euros to spend on Laudree macaroons! ;)

HI L,

If budget is important, I don;t see why you wouldn't take shuttle.

Also, if makes a couple of stops, you get to see some of the city.

Sounds to me as if you are trying to rationalize springing for a limo. :)

((I))

Ira...

You got me! :)

The thought of a private car is nice, but the sensible side of me is saying take the shuttle!

I seem to recall you have recommended the Blue Van in the past. Am I correct? I checked out their website and it seems reasonable would you recommend them or another shuttle service?

Just take a shuttle. I named a shuttle company and talked about it in my thread on renting an apartment in Paris. Type in my name in the "Search" box or click on my name and scroll down to find the thread. There's a lot of info there. Happy Travels!

Hi LCI!
I'll be going to Paris with my mother in October. I'm going to opt for the RER because I'll be arriving solo. Not certain yet about the return trip because by then we will be together. Which private car service did you find for 55 euro?

Mind if I ask which hotel you chose? We are staying in the Latin quarter for the first part of the trip, but I'm looking for a place on the right back for our last two nights when we return to Paris.

Hi Kristina!

Seems like we are traveling in the same circles lately! Rome last year and Paris this year! :)

I'll have to post back tonight on the private car for 55 Euro, I bookmarked the website at home last night and since I looked at several I can't remember which one I saw for 55Euro.

We are staying at the Hotel Castex, which appears to be close to Place Bastille (forgive me if I got the name incorrect!) and about a 10 minute walke to Il de la Cite.

We are actually taking another Rick Steves tour (15 Day Paris and South of France) and the first 3 days are in Paris. We will arriving a day before the tour starts and this hotel is the same one the group will be staying at and that's why I booked it.

We haven't been to Paris in years (1989 was the last time for me!) and are really looking forward to it. We'll end in Nice and spend an additional 4 days there before going home. We booked a market wallking/breakfast tour in Nice with Rosa Jackson...really looking forward to that!

Guenmai...

Thanks for the info. I will check out your trip report!

This is the service that I use...very reliable. They will check for any delays and make arrangements accordingly. They will be therre with your name on a sign as you exit immigration..they will take your luggage to a car very nearby.

I wouldn't do it any other way..Long trip from the US..you deserve it...I even get a discount because I have used them before..

Do yourself a favor!!

It would have helped if I had given you the site!!

http://www.shuttle-inter.com/homepage.htm

Thanks gracejoan I will check it out.

Kristina,

The link above that gracejoan posted is the one with the 55Euro (one way) private car transfer.

With all the time in the world, I would just take the RER to Saint Michel-Notre Dame for 8.50€ each (rate as from July 2008, if I am not mistaken).

Maybe I would visit Notre Dame, or maybe I would settle into a nearby café if I were exhausted (unlikely when you are pumped up with trip adrenalin).

If I had my bearings after that, I would probably just take a short and easy walk to my hotel. Otherwise, I would take a taxi for less than 10€ from the Notre Dame area.

Avoid the Paris Shuttle. We arrived at CDG at 9:30am and rang them as requested. We were told where to wait. After 30 minutes, called again, told the shuttle was on the way. 4 phone calls, many promises and 1 and a half hours later, we were finally picked up. Others waiting for a shuttle told similar stories. We then had a horrific trip to our hotel, via 3 others and finally arrived at 1:30pm, total trip time of 4 hours and half a day wasted.

Why not just "splurge" for your arrival and take a taxi. It will cost about 50E for the two of you--not all that much more than the shuttle for two. Then if you want to "save" on the other end, take a shuttle back to CDG. Your hotel can book it.
A taxi is so easy--out the door to the queue and into the cab. Give the driver the address (and a map is good too). It is an easy way to begin your trip.

Second Gretchen's suggestion. A Taxi requires no prior arrangements and will get you there without intermediate stops and hauling luggage on and off the train. Much the easiest way to go.

I agree about taking a taxi. But if it were once I'd prefer taking it to CDG. I'm more concerned about being on time for my departure flight than arriving in Paris. The hotel can reserve a taxi; just let them know the day before you depart.

A taxi is by far the easiest, fastest, and most reliable. And it doesn't cost much more than a shuttle.

You'd save about 12 euros going by shuttle instead of taxi. But you would avoid calling and waiting for the shuttle to pick you up and then having at least one other stop before your hotel.

I have taken the shuttle when arriving alone because the savings is greater but prefer a taxi when traveling with another person. You're whisked basically door to door after a long flight. Even when there is a bit of a queue for the taxis it moves quickly and I've never waited long.

I don't see any advantage to paying more for a private car.

This is a no-brainer. Take a taxi. Assuming it will take an hour or more to get through customs and find your luggage, rush hour should be over, so a taxi will likely be able to get to your hotel without traffic problems.

Does anyone know if the shuttle company listed above takes credit cards (from North America) for payment or will they only accept cash?