tulpsntruffles

I've seen this question asked a lot, but almost always answered with "if you are traveling light with no luggage"...so I just want to reach out.

I've got a somewhat older group of 4 with slightly limited mobility, each with a larger suitcase and small carry-on, landing at CDG to begin a month-long tour through Europe. The next day we depart Gare du Nord for Switzerland, so I'd like to stay at a hotel near the train station - seems easier for our departure the next morning. What's the easiest way to get the group of us from CDG to Nord with minimal chaos? My gut tells me I should just reserve a private transfer so I'm "guaranteed" an easy trip, but the last time I did this in Paris, it was a nightmare, so I wanted to check to see if I'm just missing the obvious.

Thanks so much for your help!!
Natalie

manouche

G7 Taxis is a reliable service, and has just added new vehicles which are suitable for people with mobility issues - Low Floor (no high step) or Horizon (access ramp). Depending on the amount of luggage you have, you might need more than one vehicle, or one large one might do. They will ask for the particulars and make sure you have what you need. I just used the Low Floor - my leg is in a cast - and it was fine.
You can reserve online or call their English speaking operator.
www.taxisG7.com

justineparis

Why on earth would you not just walk outside the terminal and take an official taxi from the official taxi stand. They are metered.. there is no hanky panky.

I have used G7 but never from the airport.. no point.. they charge same as taxis and there is no advantage since the taxis are already at the airport ( but they are great to call when in Paris and departing,,harder to find a taxi stand )

I am not sure why some folks seem intimidated by taxis.. they are not shysters.. they are licenced and metered. OF course I do not mean the pirate taxis where some random driver approaches you in the terminal saying "taxi ?taxi?" but the ones from the taxi stand. There is a monitor that will put you in the taxi you will fit in ( there are van taxis too).

You will be charged an extra one euro per suitcase in the trunk ( not your hand baggage you carry in to cab) and that is off meter on top of fee.. this is a standard and legal charge. They also charge 3 euros for 4th person.. also standard legal off meter fee.

Since the RER is about 10 euros.. for four people a taxi makes good sense..pay only an extra 10-15 euros for door to door service.

kerouac

I think that all of the trains to Switzerland leave from Gare de Lyon now. A few years ago, some of them left from Gare de l'Est but never from Gare du Nord, which would be the totally wrong direction.

The RER is simple, cheap and direct from CDG to Gare du Nord with escalators and elevators at both stations.

kerouac

You might think about taking the Air France coach direct to Gare de Lyon instead, which will be your departure station for Switzerland.

justineparis

"larger suitcases" " slightly limited mobility" .. no, the RER would not be a good idea .

PalenQ

RER trains I believe on this run have a flat floor - anyone traveling in Europe with limited mobilility should have luggage with wheels on them - then it is just like the old ladies shopping trolleys to move about on and off RER trains at Gare du Nord - but take the cost of several RER tickets vs the cost of a tax and you may not save much and taxi will take you right to where you want to go.

Christina

Definitely not the RER/metro with a gruop like that, that's simply not possible. Someone with limited mobility can't be handling two pieces of luggage, one large, on the RER/metro system. They might have trouble just moving it without luggage given all the walking and stairs.

I agree the Air France bus isn't a bad solution if you stay near the Gare de Lyon, but on the other hand, a taxi will still be easier, because you'll have to get from the bus stop to the hotel you choose with all that luggage and with a group like that, I just can't see that happening, until the hotel is right across the street. A taxi will still be door to door.

tulpsntruffles

kerouac...absolutely my mistake...you are correct! Gare de Lyon. I should have referred to my list before I posted.

justineparis...I've had really awful experiences in Paris with taxis and I just would rather have more of a plan traveling with my parents who haven't traveled internationally and need things to be a bit more organized. Actually I've never had a good transportation experience in Paris, even with booked transfers (aside from the metro, which has never failed me), so I'm just hopeful this time is different so my parents aren't stressed.

Thanks for helping me sort this out! Sorry for my mistake about the train station - obviously not helpful!

justineparis

Tulpsntruffles.. I have used a private transfer company twice..travelling alone with a child and once during a transport strike,, and both time service was great. Good feature of company I used was you do not pre pay.. so if they didn't show up( not unusual with private transfer) or in my case if you don't travel with a phone( some companies require you to phone them when you arrive)

Company was www.shuttle-inter.com/booking.htm

I am wondering what your bad experiences were with taxis.

denmal

Agree with Justineparis - We use the Inter Shuttle - We have NEVER had a problem and they have had to pick us up at 4:30 AM sometimes for our flight

www.shuttle-inter.com

They speak English and are always on time

Ackislander

The key to a positive experience with taxis if you aren't fluent in the local language is printing your destination on a card and giving it to the driver while observing the usual courtesies.

A second key is looking at a detailed map, even google, at a large scale so you know which streets are one way or restricted. There are parts of Paris (and Rome and London) that are very tangled places to reach by car. If you know that, you will know you are not being chested. Or, as happened to us in Barcelona, are being cheated when the driver took us on a " scenic" route to the airport.

Gretchen

TAKE A TAXI. No phone call to tell them you are here. No looking for them at the terminal. It is 5 people--it would be about the same as the bus or the RER (absolutely NOT).
As said above, print out the address of the hotel and even a small map.
AND the OP personally has had a bad experience with those arrangements.
Do NOT take a taxi from anyone who approaches you in the terminal--that is the way to get cheated. Go to the taxi master and he will get you a vehicle to fit your party.
Leaving right away for Switzerland? Hmmm.

kerouac

If it fits your budget, there is a Mercure hotel right inside Gare de Lyon.

nytraveler

Agree that regular taxi is the simples option and also economical.

Separately, if this group is going to travel by train make sure that there are no very short connections - since they might not be able to haul their luggage fast enough to make one that is only a few minutes.

tulpsntruffles

Gretchen - yes, leaving the next morning for Switzerland. We saved thousands of dollars in airfare flying roundtrip CDG, so decided to just deal with the hassle of the single overnight in Paris rather than a too expensive multi-city flight. We've made it work in the itinerary to end the trip in Paris, so resting from the long flight and celebrating their wedding anniversary in Paris that night before we depart the next morning just all works out great. My parents aren't in great physical health and this is a bit of a last hurrah for them travel-wise, so I'm doing what I can to make it seamless for them.

kerouac - perfect fit for a hotel - thank you for the recommendation! Easy is the name of the game!

Thanks for the great feedback - you've given me lots of great info here!! Awesome!! I'm sure I'll have a handful more questions so I hope to see your names again - so glad to have a forum of helpful people!! Thank you thank you!

Gretchen

Boy, I understand the savings thing!! And it isn't that far or difficult. I guess depending on your itinerary, I might have stayed in Paris a while, done the rest of the trip and tried for a direct train to CDG for the return flight. Just a thought. Enjoy and have fun.

apersuader65

tulpsntruffles: I suspect your parents won't be stressed out about travel plans if you simply make them, and then let them know what they will need to do. If you choose AF bus or taxi, they don't need to even be made aware of what is going on. You go to the taxi stand and request a vehicle large enough to handle all of your group and luggage, with your parents sitting nearby.

If you're wanting it to be a seamless trip from flights and all the other transportation with your group, good luck with that. You must be anticipating issues (as it appears you are) which means your parents are in very capable hands. Your thoughts are on the right track, (except the station!) so don't stress. Take a taxi to your hotel that is near the station. I think I'd be more concerned about the next morning, as you KNOW your parents will be heading through the train station that day.

MaineGG

If you choose to stay at the Mercure, you might still want to consider a taxi rather than the Air France bus from CDG to the Gare de Lyon. The AF bus stop is on the corner of the Boulevard Diderot opposite the rue Michel Chasles. If your parents are not able to walk with their luggage over 100 yards, pretty much uphill, to the hotel entrance, a taxi or a service like Shuttle Inter would be much easier. Also, since the AF bus costs around €16 per person, the cost difference would not be significant.

kerouac

I think that some people read "slightly limited mobility" to be on a par with basket cases.