Changes regarding Airport Shuttle in Paris
 

We used this service previously and were very satisfied. However, two weeks ago when we called a shuttle from CDG (as requested)when we arrived it took them 55 minutes to get there and we had to wait outside because they told us they will not look for us and we have to find them. After overnight flight, in the wind it wasn't that great to wait for 55 minutes. But we were happy when they finally arrived. Then a driver open a back door of the van and waited for us to put our luggae in. He, however, told us how and where to put our suitcases. Next, he told us we had to pay directly to him and when we objected and told him that we already prepaid with our credit card he told us that now things are different because Mr. Harris is leaving and there are new rules. He was so unpleasant that we were affraid he will leave us on the sidewalk after alsmost one hour waiting in the wind very early in the morning. In the end of this trip he did not help us with our suitcases as well. <BR>So, anyone has more information on the Shuttle that used to get such good reviews on this board when Mark Harris was around? And who is taking over? <BR>Is there any other similar service in Paris as we are returning in June?

I am going to Paris in April. So anybody can answer kathy will help me too. <BR><BR>I am also wondering how much is the taxi cost from CDG to Rue Cler in the 7th. We are staying in Gand Leveque.<BR><BR>Thanks!

My advice? Be smart. Start your vacation the right way, no hassels, no problems, no delays, no schlepping luggage, door to door service. Walk outside the terminal and get on the taxi line. Don't take the drivers standing out there - very expensive. Take the taxis with "Taxi Parisien" sign on the roof. Should run you about $40 depending on traffic and amount of luggage.For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

That is bad news, if Mark is leaving, or has left, the Paris Airport Shuttle.<BR>If he has left, there are other van services, but I have no knowledge of them. <BR>The taxi might be more, but no waiting in the wind!!<BR>

I am so glad I saw this post. I was about to make a reservation for the Airport Connection, or the Paris Airport Services. Is what the thread is about?<BR><BR>My above mentioned choices come from Rick Steve's book.

I think is important to emphasize that the posting by Kathy that describes cruddy service Paris airport van shuttle services is specific to one company many of us have used in the past 4 to 5 years from CDG airport to various destinations around Paris: The Paris Airport Shuttle, the vans of which were painted a distinctive blue and yellow. <BR><BR>As long as Mark Harris was the manager, service was good to excellent. I used that particularly company twice after flying into CDG.<BR><BR>I did not interpret her remarks to be a generic reference. But for many of us, it is bad news if Mark Harris has left the Paris Airport Shuttle. <BR><BR>And Mark, if you are out there anywhere, communicate with us and let us know what the flip is going on.<BR>

We took Airport Connection from CDG to rue cler in the 7th last summer. This is a different company than Airport Shuttle. It was great, they were there before we arrived, very polite, respectful, helpful. Paid by credit card in advance and it worked out to $12. Recommend them and would use them again.

Thanks for the recommendation. How to make the reservation?

The site is airport-connection.com.

I meant to add that you can make the reservation at this site. They were very prompt about replying with emails and I do believe I called them on an 800 number, too, with some questions. The price turned out to be a better rate than what they post (I think it's $14) because the exchange rate was so good. Good luck!

Dear Kathy , Bob & all Paris bound fodorites ,<BR><BR>I left Airport Shuttle Paris on the 31st January 2002.I was no longer able to manage the company in the manner that I have done for the previous 3 years due to the impossible conditions imposed by the company owner Emile Malonga.<BR>It came to my attention that there were serious financial irregularities & malpractises orchestrated by Mr Malonga that I refused to be a part of.<BR>I am currently issuing legal proceedings against Mr Malonga & Airport Shuttle and will be managing a leading competitor shuttle company within the next 2 weeks.<BR>I am not particularly keen on airing dirty linen in public nor am I keen on running down competitors but do feel obliged to state clearly that I am no longer involved with Airport Shuttle.<BR><BR>I thank all fodorites who have been supportive over the last 3 years & will certainly inform you of developments.<BR><BR>best regards <BR><BR>Mark Harris<BR><BR>

To the top for those who are interested in reading what Mark Harris had to say about this whole thing.

Please tell me that Airport Shuttle and Airport Connection are two different companies!? We are renting a private transfer from Airport Connection.....

We used PariShuttle, another shuttle company, and were very pleased with the service and the chatty and helpful drivers. They lifted all our luggage into the van, and on the return, the driver even went into the airport to find a cart for my friend who was then juggling four suitcases (she's a shopper, what can I say!)

My advice may not be welcome, but it deserves to be said. Don't use the shuttles! Period. Especially so if you can manage your own luggage. I say this not only because of the stories of rude service, but because of the rediculous waste of time and money for shuttles over taking the RER train and then sharing a taxi from Gard Du Nord to your hotel. I read about people having trouble with the phones, then waiting and waiting outside for the shuttle to arrive, only to be driven around and around Paris while the shuttle lets off other passengers first. I had originally reserved a shuttle from CDG to the city, but canceled to give the train a try. If I wasn't satisfied, I'd take the shuttle back. With the train, other than carrying the luggage up/down the flight of stairs to/from the platform at the Gard du Nord Station, it was no hassle at all. The trains run very often and only take about 20 minutes. For both of us together, the train/taxi combo cost less than half the price of just one person in the shuttle.<BR><BR>I checked about a shuttle from hotel to CDG. I had an 11:15 pm flight. The shuttle said I had to leave the hotel at 7:30pm. 3 & 3/4 hours prior to the flight? Rediculous I said and spent a little bit more of the evening in the city, leaving from my hotel to Gard du Nord at 8:45, then a train at 9:10 arriving in plenty of time. <BR><BR>I can't see me taking a shuttle over the train. I'd opt for a taxi first.<BR><BR>Mr. Harris in his new job needs to improve the shuttle operations to persuade people like me of the advantages to taking the shuttle.<BR>Galard

I used Mark's company twice.<BR>No problems.<BR>If no problems and a cheaper cost, why not use it again. <BR>

Mark, you're right you should not air your dirty laundry in public and you did. You should not have mentioned any information about your former employer, business irregularities, or legal proceedings.

Bob, because Mark Harris is gone and it seems like there are many problems with this company. Read again his statement here.<BR><BR>Airport Connections is not the same company as Airport Shuttle

Thank you Kristina for letting me know about the two companies!<BR><BR>I have 10 clients coming in and taxis are an expensive option, and luggage a nightmare on the train! <BR><BR>~Wendy~

I wouldn't use one either, but some people really care about saving that amount of money. As for the driving around -- well, yes, that's what you are paying for, a group transportation so of course you may end up last, but that's wellknown as part of the deal, it's not a private car.<BR><BR>There are several of these companies around that are easily findable if you just type airport shuttle paris into a search engine, or look in the Parisian phonebook (transports urbains et regionaux de voyageurs)

Actually, I had an option of renting a private transfer w/Airport Connection and it was only a few Euros more.<BR><BR>If I am alone or with a companion, you better beleive I take a taxi!<BR>~Wendy~

What are the pros and cons taking the Roissybus from the airport to Paris? <BR><BR>

Roissybus has only a couple of pick-up/drop-off points in Paris-center, then you have to take a cab, metro, or walk to your hotel. Personally, I am not attracted to hiking through train/metro stations, turnstiles, stairs with my suitcase, or having to use 2 or more forms of transportation to reach the hotel. I prefer the shuttle services and have used them 3 visits, round-trip, with no problems. Yes, I may not have been the first to be let off however always enjoyed the drive into Paris, and even a little meandering through the streets while the van let other passengers off at their stops, kind of a 'hey, we're in Paris again' feeling. A taxi will be more direct, and a few Euros more, certainly less hassle than RER/Metro/walk, or Roissybus/Metro/taxi, etc. Well, just my personal thoughts.

Topping for JOdy and others.

WARNING!!!!!!!!<BR>We returned last evening from Paris and I want you all to know that this darn Airport Shuttle (blue van with yellow letters) never showed up to pick us up in our hotel. We had reservation but did not pay yet.

RER/metro combo is the least expensive and fun way to go/to get/from the airport!

to future travellers to paris,<BR>if you are thinking of using AIRPORT SHUTTLE as a safe, reliable, and cost efficient means of getting to your destination, i suggest you use another company or a taxi. immediately following the events back in september, vast numbers of planes were either cancelled or delayed, thus passengers missed their transfers into paris. anyone who has paid for their transfer in advance by credit card should, no way jose, expect to be refunded very soon! i can't even give you an approximate sum still to be reimbursed to innocent travellers. on top of this, the boss is no angel- other employees have given their 1 month's leave notice due to not being paid on time several months in a row! aside from this, work conditions are extremely stressful and unrewarding. mark harris has made a terribly intelligent choice to have left mr malonga in the rut he created himself. mark will certainly handle the competitor's company in the same utmost professional way that he had with AIRPORT SHUTTLE.

I KNEW there was a problem when we used Airport Shuttle in mid-January -- although we had used this company two times before, it was definitely NOT the same experience - very poor service, huge argument w/driver about payment, etc - we decided to use a (much-more-expensive) cab for return to airport.<BR><BR>Mark, when your new venture is up and running, please email me for future reference - and good luck!

rumour has it that AIRPORT SHUTTLE is closing its doors within a few days due to a variety of reasons (obviously financial hardship). if you have common sense, i wouldn't book with them online (check out their website now, you are obliged to pay by credit card). after closing the company, they'll run with your money! just a big tip worth taking.

I agree with a recent post: Airport Shuttle (blue and yellow vans)are definitely in trouble. I use their service at least twice a year and each time, they have always been helpful, ponctual, and as far as I knew just until now, lower than their competitors' prices. They have augmented their prices by a hefty 20%. I used them recently on my arrival to Paris and as the new site states, payment by credit card is required. Fine and dandy. Being the reputable company as they are, I didn't hesitate for a second. Upon arriving, the driver said no record of my payment could be found. I gave the company the benefit of the doubt and handed them cash. Now I got my monthly bank statement and by golly, there was the original charge! Honnest mistake or is this a fraudulent company? I called them several times this week and a young lady told me that reimbursement will be made but after reading recent posts, I think this will never happen. This is all to say that I will certainly NOT use Airport Shuttle AGAIN!

<BR>Some of you concluded that Mark Harris had nothing to do with what happened to Airport Shuttle and would use him again if he works for another shuttle company. However, I would like to know for how long he knew about this problem? <BR>On February 15th he posted his message here explaining how bad things were for some time but on January 12 he posted the message I pasted bellow that doesn't give any indication there was a problem and he left company on January 31st. So before you conclude that Mark Harris is this great honest guy think about his both statements. Maybe he is a great guy but his intigrity is questionable. I used this company several times in 2000 1nd 2001<BR>Author: mark ([email protected])<BR>Date: 01/12/2002, 07:51 am<BR>Message: Dear Bob & other Paris bound fodorites ,<BR><BR>You can call us toll free from the USA on 1 888 426 2705 to reserve or email [email protected]<BR><BR>Our site re-construction is taking a frustratingly long time , speed is not our french webmasters strong point .<BR><BR>We are still here & will be back on line in the very near future.<BR><BR>regards <BR><BR>Mark Harris<BR>Manager<BR>Airport Shuttle<BR><BR>PS note to Fodors moderators - apologies for the blatant advertising but I am simply replying to a Shuttle related post<BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR>

Curious about "Voyages a Paris" this, I think, is the company that will pick my family up from and again to the airport.<BR>Does anyone have info on this co.<BR>

Frank I think you are being unfair questioning the integrity of Mark at airport shuttle.The post that you pasted was merely a reply to a previous post regarding why the the website was disfunctional.He says that he left the company at the end of January & an awful lot can happen in 3 weeks.I have used the shuttle on many occasions as have many of my friends , often talking to Mark personally.The only problem i ever had was when , my fault ,i left a bag at the hotel & Mark sent a vehicle to pick up the bag & meet me at the airport free of charge so i could catch my flight.Customer service is not by any means the strong point of the french so it is reassuring that there are people like Mark operating in France.<BR>Mark when you do start your new position please let us know as i will definitely continue to use your service.

Oh dear. I read this thread too late, four days after gleefully booking my Airport Shuttle reservations online for next week.<BR>I can certainly plan to use another service or take a taxi but does anyone have advice about how I can get my money back from Airport Shuttle. Based on past recommendations, I was more than happy to give them my credit card to reserve.<BR><BR>Thanks.

Dear fodorites ,<BR><BR>I am now in charge of business development at Parishuttle.My aim is to make this company as efficient and customer service orientated as possible and in the process become the new market leader in airport shuttle transportation.If you have previously used this company or other shuttles for that matter and have any comments or suggestions on how the service can be improved then please contact me at the e mail address above.<BR><BR>I thank all fodorites for your support over the years & hope that i will be able to continue to serve you via Parishuttle.<BR><BR>best regards <BR><BR>Mark Harris <BR>Office Manager<BR>Parishuttle<BR><BR>www.parishuttle.com< BR><BR>

Thanks for letting us know Mark -- I'll hope to have use of your company's service soon!

As some of you might remember, my sister and I had terrible problems with this service. We were in an accident while sitting in the van and her nose was broken. That was over a year ago and we're still trying to get reimbursement for her medical expenses in Paris. Mark Harris was on vacation during the time and we had to deal with Emile Malonga. What a nightmare. We even had to get the American Consul staff involved. The French man who helped us there told us that Malonga was rude to him too. Glad to hear it's going out of business.

To clarify, SharonG's post above refers to the company Mark Harris left, not his new employment at ParisShuttle.

Topping

I just got an e mail reply from Mark, its true he has left the other company & is now at Parishuttle.<BR>I ve booked his service for my next trip ( wedding anniversary surprise for my husband )in April.He said he could give me a reduced rate transfer of 13 euros per person which sounds great , something to do witha FUSAC promotion if anyones heard of this .<BR>anyway try <BR> [email protected]