Robespierre. That's it. Roissy bus to the Opera and line 8 to the hotel.
Couldn't be simpler. Thanks so much.
I know there will be some stairs, but no big deal and we will become familiar with the Metro at our home stop.
Dave

If I may piggyback a question onto this interesting thread:

We've rented an apartment on the Ave. de la Bourdonnais, just after rue St. Dominique (7e).

If we don't go the cab route, what's the best way to get from CDG to that area?

Note: we're doing carry-on w/rollers only and are both pretty good hikers, so we're not afraid to walk.

The last time I was in Paris (96), I flew into Orly and took a bus, I believe, which dropped me off somewhere on the left bank. I walked from there to the Intercontinental & I didn't feel that was too bad.

Thanks for any pointers!

Moonstone, are you staying in one of the "ParisPerfect" apts?
Does anyone know the CURRENT price of the RER from CDG to Luxembourg station?
I've checked two website but got two different prices. Thank you!!

It was 7.80€ one way from Denfert Rochereau, if that helps.

The airport website says 7.75€ - isn't that close enough..?

Yes, we are staying at one of the PP places. We're both looking forward to it!

So, is the RER the way to go? To... where?

Thanks in advance!

The RER ticket you buy at CDG for €7.85 covers the train plus the Métro to your final destination.

RER B to St-Michel Notre-Dame, then RER C (Direction Viroflay-Rive Gauche) to Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. Walk across the park to la Bourdonnais.

Or take RER B to Gare du Nord, Métro Ligne 4 (Direction Porte d'Orleans) to Strasbourg-St-Denis, to Métro Ligne 8 (Direction Balard) to École Militaire. This gets you closer, but requires an additional connection.

Oh... one more related question, if I may.

Currently, what's the "optimum" solution to buying Metro tickets? We'll be in Paris for a week, plan to do a lot of walking but the weather may be uncooperative... or we may get tired! :)

When I was there 10 years ago, the apartment I rented gave us two passes that were good for a week, I believe, and reusable. Unfortunately, I don't remember what that pass was called, or whether it's still the best way to go.

Should I buy everthing at the same time we head in from CDG?

Thank you all again!

I didn't see my other message posted thanking Robespierre for his response, so... thank you Robespierre!

Glad to help.

If you plan to mostly walk around Paris, then single 't' tickets (bought 10 at a time in a 'carnet') will probably suit you fine.

If you use public transport more than 5 times a day, then a "Mobilis" daily pass is more economical than single tickets.

If you need more than 3 Mobilis cards in a calendar week, then you should get a "Carte Orange" which is valid from Monday through Sunday. This requires a 1" square ID picture. Homemade digital is OK.

Thanks again! Very helpful!

I vote for the taxi.

When I'm jet lagged after a long flight, it is SUCH a lovely luxury just to jump in a cab or town car and be driven to your hotel. Once there, if you want to ask about other options for your return flight, you at least have a better sense of the up-and-down of station stairwells, could get "best advice" about options from your hotel given your location, etc.

I've done combinations of all of the above, i.e. taxis, town cars, trains, shuttles, etc and etc. Even fairly easy rides like from Heathrow into central London, I'd only do it if my hotel is close to the train station or if I could easily get a cab at that station end.

Even with a 22" suitcase, I HATE having to lug it around on mass transit. Jet lag doesn't make it easier.

Robespierre, do you have time for one more? I will be arriving into CDG terminal 1 on United. I'd like to take the RER B to Saint Michel-Notre Dame, and walk from there to my hotel at 61 rue Dauphine.

2 questions:

From which terminal do I get the RER B?

Is there an escalator out of the RER/metro station? I don't mind walking with my luggage on rollers, but HATE to bump it up and down steps, because it leaves me sore for much of my trip.

Thank you so much for the assistance.

Thanks Robespierre. What a great map!

Iregeo, the RER station for terminal 1 is located in an outlying building. From terminal 1 you would follow the signs to the shuttle that will take you to the RER terminal.

As far as St Michel is concerned, you will have a mix of stairs and escalators. For most of the way up you will have escalators (pray they work), however to reach street level, it is stairs only.

Thanks, Morgan. Been there, done that. Never again!

Hopefully this isn't a stupid question: Are the RER trains covered by a Eurail pass? Thanks!

Sort of. Eurailpass is only valid on Line B from CDG to Gare du Nord, and on Line C from Massy through Gare d'Austerlitz to Versailles.

You need to take your pass to the RER window to get a ticket, because the turnstiles can't read the pass.

Sorry to bring this one back up, I'm a few days late in responding. Robespierre, thank you very much for your helpful info. One further question: Can you validate a Eurailpass at the CDG RER window? In our situation, we are flying into Paris after a few days in London and would like to start using our pass that day. It's not too big of a deal to pay for the RER, then get the pass validated at Gare du Nord and continue onto Germany, but if we can get our passes validated at CDG and get a free RER ride, that would be great! Does anyone know if this is possible?

Just got back this week from Paris. After reading about pickpockets and knowing we were going to be (and were) jetlagged after an eight hour flight we chose to take the yellow shuttle bus which I booked on the internet at E17 per person, no extra for luggage and they speak fluent English. The service was great and friendly. On departing to the airport with the same shuttle which picked us up EARLY!! at our private address,it was tense as it was morning rush hour and highways jammed. Our driver did miracles (as we held our breath!!)darting in traffic but got us there in time. Hindsight...best decision on arrival was shuttle but departing I think we could have handled the RER to CDG after being familiar with the system and having luggage on wheels...next time I'll have Euros to spare.

I don't know if the RER window will validate a Eurailpass, but the same station also serves the TGV, so maybe the SNCF window would validate.

(Speaking of TGV - how are you getting to Germany? About six times a day, Thalys trains leave CDG for Brussels where you can connect to Cologne.)