Can anyone share with me their experience taking the train and/or bus from CDG airport in Paris to various downtown hotels. Is it a hassle to carry luggage on the public transportation?

Dear Ed:<BR>Just in case you don't know all your options,here's the official Paris airport website: www.adp.com Click on "access" and it will explain some of your choices.<BR><BR>We took the train--once. Never again. By the time we took the terminal shuttle, got on the train, and traveled all the correspondances (stairs and more stairs)between our Metro lines, we were exhausted. And we travel with just a carry-on!<BR><BR>So we went back to using taxis. This last time, however, we were forced to use the Air France shuttle because it was pouring rain outside and our reserved taxi decided not to show up. We liked it so much, we'd do it again. It just so happened that we were staying near the Gare de Montparnasse, making the bus a convenient alternative. But when you check the airport site, you can see if the other stops suit your needs.<BR><BR>There was lots of room, no lifting of luggage, they dropped us right off at the terminal (and we can get picked up there just as easily), and the seats were so comfy that I took a nap. The cost for the four of us worked out the same as our average taxi fare, and a lot less than one of them. If you're traveling single, it makes even more sense.<BR><BR><BR>

You're going to have to make the conversion to Euros for this now...<BR><BR>Taxis are convenient and not OVERLY expensive if you have several people and baggage to deal with. Expect to pay anywhere from $35-$50 (250-400 FF) to get from the airport to your Paris hotel, depending on traffic, destination and other variables. Several lower cost alternatives exist, but you should be thinking about them when you pack. <BR><BR>For less than $10 (65 FF), the Air France bus will take to you to any of several points in downtown Paris where you can pick up a taxi, the metro (or if you're lucky, nothing but your feet) to get to your final destination. You can pick up this bus right outside the terminal at the first door, as you exit customs (presuming Terminal 1 at GDG here). Another option is the KLM bus, which costs around $13 (90 FF) but will drop you off directly at your hotel. You can pick up this bus outside of Gate 26 in Terminal 1. <BR><BR>A very low cost, efficient alternative is to take the RER Line B3, for around $7 (49 FF). You can grab the free ADP shuttle from the lower level of Terminal 1 to get over to Terminal 2, where the RER station is located. The RER doesn't get stuck in traffic and conveniently links right into the Paris Metro system. That said, remember not to bring along things that will kill you on the stairs if this is to be your choice. You simply don't want more than you can conveniently and securely control. (The dollar conversions I've made here are roughly based on approximately a 7-1 ratio of French Francs/U.S. Dollars). <BR><BR>If I had more than one person and more than one small bag person, I would likely take a taxi every time. Shuttle services are also available, but since I haven't used them myself, I will leave that for others to explain.

Dear Ed:<BR>Just realized I gave you the wrong website (was trying to look up transfer from CDG to Orly for myself). It's "adp.fr" not "adp.com"

I have used the Paris Airport Shuttle twice. There are several van shuttles where you share the ride. If there are more than 2 of you, it is a good way to go. The van will take you to your hotel door. It is not as expensive as a taxi, and more user friendly than the RER.<BR>If you take the RER, be prepared as an earlier poster said for steps and tunnels. I can see using the RER is you have only a little luggage and you are vigorous. I carried my luggage on the Metro and the REr when I was young and had more brawn than brains and more brains than money. But not today.<BR>

I love to skip the bus, skip the shuttles and take a taxi&gt;&gt; You usually have a driver who can navigate thru the mess of Paris traffic and you get the feel of the city!! For 2 or 3 people not much more and right away you are into the beat of the city!!And if he speaks english so much more fun, especially if the traffic is bad you'll learn lots of new words!!And it's door to door!!!

We are traveling to Paris in February and there are 4 of us (2 adults, 2 teens) with luggage, we are staying in the 11th arr. What are the suggestions for us to get from CDG to our hotel? I am deciding between taxi and a shuttle to our hotel. Which would you do?