mrk

We arrive at CDG around 9:30 a.m. and need to get to Hotel Bonaparte.
Would you recommend for a family of 4 to take a cab or metro?
We are not experienced travelers.

MorganB

Metro costs about 8 euros per person for a total of 32 euros. However, you have to make line change to get to your hotel. This will involve stairs and getting bags through turnsites. It can be tiring and confusing when you are jet lagged from an international flight.

A cab will cost around 50-60 euros in all likelyhood. Sunday is more expensive. You would pay the fare that appears on the meter plus .90 cents for each bag and 2.70 euros per person above 3. None of that will appear on the meter so dont be surprised when they ask you for more. A small tip is appreciated if the driver was good , helped with bags, and didnt drive you around the world.

I would personally go with a cab. Learn the metro during your trip and if you feel comfortable, take it to the airport when you are going home.

Christina

I would definitely go with a taxi also in your case considering everything (four people, not experienced, etc.). A group airport shuttle van would probably end up being more for four people.

ira

Hi mrk,

For 4 people that late in the morning, you are unlikely to be stuck in traffic, so a cab should cost less than a shuttle.

Make sure you get one with a meter at the official cab rank.

It should be about 55E.

mrk

Thanks,
I just needed confirmation that a cab is the right choice and needed approx cost. It will be a Mon. morning so hopefully those added costs won't apply.

julia_t

The twice I flew into Paris, albeit a few years ago now, I took a shuttle bus for a few francs, which took me to the Etoile at the Arc de Triomphe. The first time I got off the bus and straight into a waiting taxi there on the side of the road, and there were several there. The second time I used the metro to get to my hotel.

Just done a google search (CDG shuttle bus), and quite a few things come up. However the one I was thinking of is an Air France bus, and seems to cost 12 euros per person. But here is the link http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...s_Paris1.shtml

Robespierre

I don't recommend one mode over another. The taxi is convenient and expensive. The train is cheap and fast.

RER/Métro fares
Adult: 8.00€
Age 4-10: 5.65€

But you really should consider how you are going to get around town before making a decision. Are you arriving on a weekend? Will you use a pass? Here's that discussion:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630342

Your call.

Robespierre

Oh, and by the way - I have summarized the pros and cons of all modes here:

<b>http://67.72.88.51/cdg</b>

mrk

I was planning on buying the carnets of 10 tickets for the four of us to use for the three days in Paris. We are staying in St. Germain and plan on walking a lot but might use the metro or buses after we get a feel for the area. My son and husband want to go out to Roland Garros and I guess then they will use the metro. We arrive on Mon and leave for the country on Thurs.
Since we are just coming off the plane I think the money spent on the taxi might be the best idea after reading the comments. I am hoping the metro will be easy to use once we are there.

bob_brown

I concur with the above statements about taxis versus the Metro and the RER.
My guess is that some of your suitcases are heavy, and dragging them up stairs is not my idea of fun. If you can bench press huge weights, it might be easy for you. Otherwise, why fight it?

Having used the van services in Paris I ended up deciding after the last one not to do it again. They are not much cheaper and usually I was the last one dropped because my favorite hotel in Paris is on Boulevard Raspail in the SE part of the area.

One thing about the Paris Metro, you must know your line number and your end station for the direction in which you will be traveling.

I find a good Metro map to be absolutely vital.

Paris bus routes are easy to decipher IF the route maps near the bus stops have not been defaced. I actually prefer the bus and find that in certain instances it gets me there just about as quickly except during the morning scrum of going to work and the equal in the afternoon.

If you ride the bus, and board through the rear door, be sure to insert your ticket in the stamping machine. I have never been checked, but there is always a first time.

Paris is also an interesting city in which to walk and sightsee.

I find the bus riders to be in general more friendly than the Metro riders.
More than once on the bus I have had people offer to help me find my destination. Usually, I am sitting there with a map in my hands looking at the street signs. Partly, I am trying to see where I am and partly I am trying to identify specific landmarks.

Once you get your bearings, Paris is fairly easy to navigate, but a good map is essential.

On that score, I have the Michelin #10 and #12 combination. One is a map and the other a street index. It is too large for easy use on the bus, so my normal tactic is to pick up two or three smaller freebies and mark them when necessary after consulting the large map before starting out.

MorganB

mrk:

Just wanted to clairy, the extra mentioned charges always apply. It is the metered fare that is higher on sunday. My original post may have mislead you. Sorry bout that and have a great trip.

Robespierre:

Nice site! Good work.

mrk

Just one more question after reading some other posts on here.
Will we have a problem finding a cab for 4 people?
I know we might have to pay more but will the cab give us a hard time when they see we have 4 people?

Robespierre

No, they won't give you a hard time. They'll just charge you 60-70&euro;.

All the bus route maps are available at

<b>http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...UTE&amp;fm=pdf
</b>

(Substitute the desired route number for ROUTE in the above URL.)

Christina

They won't charge you 60-70 euro just because you have four people, if the fare doesn't allow it. The surcharge for the 4th person isn't that much -- it's only 2.6 euro extra.

travelbunny

..jetlagged family of 4 assume 50 -60 euro..worth every penny for a first timer...I usually take the RER or the air france bus (depending on where I am going) but I am usually travelling alone or with 1 older child and I can do it in my sleep...in fact I think I usually do it in my sleep.

Gretchen

There will be no problem getting a taxi for 4. Go to the taxi queue and tell the guy what you want. Print out a map of the area of your hotel from pagesjaunes.fr with the address and hand it to the driver. The fare will be what is on the meter with a small charge for each piece of luggage and the 4th person. We have done it many times and it is in the vicinity of 50&euro; each time, regardless of traffic. ONLY take a taxi from the queue marked Taxi Parisienne--NOT from anyone who might approach you in the terminal.
I think it would be foolish to try any other transport since you are unfamiliar withParis. The small amount of money more than even the RER is worth it for the stress free arrival AT your hotel in a timely fashion. You have only 3 days--don't waste it getting to the Hotel other than by taxi.

Robespierre

&quot;I think it would be foolish to try any other transport since you are unfamiliar with Paris.&quot;

If you can READ a MAP and the SIGNS in the M&Eacute;TRO there is no reason why you can't use public transport. This is not rocket science, folks.

Before you leave, download a copy of this guide, and read it on the plane:

<b>http://www.atkielski.com/PDF/data/ParMetro.pdf
</b>