Ron

My wife and I will be in Brussels in May and plan to travel by train to Paris for a few days. We like to use public transit wherever possible but wonder if we could get to our hotel from Gard du Nord and back by subway. We plan to travel "light" but that means a suitcase and carry-on for each of us. A short flight of stairs would be OK, escalators or elevators would be terrific. <BR>If the subway isn't suitable is there any other alternative to taking a cab?<BR>We'd appreciate any advice.<BR>Thank you.<BR>Ron<BR>

GGinSF

I've done it with just a carry-on size bag but wouldn't suggest it with any more than that. Shuttle vans are available from CDG but a taxi may be your best bet.

Jennifer

Hi,<BR><BR>I agree with the other reply. I have taken two suitcases on the metro, but it was not fun! The one way it might work is if the carry-on could be strapped onto the larger suitcase, thus just having one item to maneuver. But, you also have to be very quick getting on and off. And depending on the station, there may be many stairs to climb. <BR><BR>I'll be using the metro in a few weeks with my two kids, but each of us will have on a backpack plus one suitcase -- no more. <BR><BR>Jennifer

Jim Rosenberg

Ron, a taxi from Gare du Nord to your hotel in Paris is not going to be all that expensive. If it was me, I wouldn't go through the hassle of the metro with the amount of baggage you are describing. With ONLY the carry-ons, then it would be a different story -- but that's just IMHO.

Ronda

Ditto here. Paris taxis are reasonable and it saves such a hassle with the luggage. Once we get to the hotel, though, it's the metro for us.<BR><BR>Does anyone else remember that there are turnstiles at some metro entrances? I think I remember having to lift heavy suitcases and toss them over.

Deb

I have done the metro twice with luggage and had no problem.

why

One person may be able to get on/off the metro but two watching out for each other with carryon/suitcases/crowds is not worth the few euros to get you to the station or hotel.Scrimp on something else but this adventure is not worth the stress.I forgot to mention the pickpockets.

Suzzane

Good question - I was wondering the same thing. I plan to have a small backpack and a carry on sized suitcase. I will be traveling solo. I planned to wear the backpack on my front instead of the back when going through airports. Will this be cumbersome?<BR><BR>Also, will carrying suitcases make one a target for pickpockets? I enjoy taking the subway in Boston with suitcases when I fly in from Logan and have NEVER had a problem with theives. Will it be a problem in Paris ( or London or Rome as well)

jill

In Paris, is it true that cabs will only take 3 passengers because they don't want a passenger in the front seat? That would be expensive for 4 to go from CDG to 7th District, right?

steve

Luggage and the Paris Metro do not mix. I have wresteled luggage thru those turnstiles and felt quite foolish . Not to mention the stairs. Ughh. Great taxi que at Gare du Nord. Taxi is the way to go . I have walked it too - not reccomended - It is always further than you think in Paris ! au revoir

Bob Brown

Ron, in my early twenties, when I had more brains than brawn and far more brawn than money, I carried my 7 weeks worth of travel luggage on the Paris Metro from Gare de Lyon to a hotel in the 7th. The Metro was all tunnels and steps then, and now that I have seen the Metro again in my late sixties, it is still all tunnels and steps. Unlike Munich, I don't recall seeing any elevators or escalators. Crowds of people don't help either because there is rarely any place on a Metro car to store your luggage while you ride. <BR><BR>At age 22, I congratulated myself on handling the situation with a high level of physical effort. At age 68, I am not quite so inclined to grapple with two suitcases and lug them up the stairs.<BR><BR>Before you decide finally, figure at an extreme case that your cab fare will be $25.00 from an RER station in Paris to your hotel.<BR>Divide the $25.00 by the total cost of your trip, less the $25.00 and look at the percentage of the total cost the cab fare would be. My guess is that it is on the order of .6 of 1%, or .006.<BR><BR>Given that RER and Metro tickets will cost you something, why not just take a shuttle van, which is cheaper than taxi fare, all the way from CDG to your hotel?? Or even take a taxi the whole way??<BR><BR>

elvira

The metro from Gare du Nord to your hotel is certainly doable:<BR>IF you have only a carryon and small tote<BR>IF you don't have to change trains more than once (none is preferable)<BR>IF you know exactly where you're going when you get off the metro<BR><BR>The taxi is a better alternative when you don't match the "ifs", especially when there are two of you; depending upon where your hotel is located, a taxi from Gare du Nord will be $15-25 and you won't be sobbing when you get to your hotel (and you'll still be speaking to each other). <BR>

Ron

If taking a cab, which is the best thing to do, keep in mind that you will be charged for each piece of luggage and also an extra fee for leaving from a station. Some tourists don't know this and complain of ripoffs when the fare exceeds what shows on the meter. Also. if you are unable to correctly say the address of your destination in french, have it written on a card.

Gretchen

Regarding the turnstiles--the ticket seller can open the gate beside the turnstile to allow you to go through with luggage.<BR>Regarding 4 in a cab. It is possible--there is an extra charge. Not all cabs will do it. If you are going to CDG from your hotel the hotel can get you a cab for 4.<BR>

Joyce

I have done it wearing a backpack and carrying a suitcase in one hand. I did not find this to be difficult.<BR><BR>Be prepared to walk up-and-down several staircases. Also, when switching trains, there is sometimes be a long walk to reach the 2nd train. <BR><BR>I do not recommend doing this if you are disabled or injured. But if you are in decent physical shape and have limited luggage, carrying the luggage on the Metro is not a problem. Just keep an eye out for thieves, which is something you should do anyway, even when not carrying luggage.

Anon

I travelled via the underground last month with luggage. I was with two other people and each of us had a fairly large pack (backpacker style) and a 'day pack' with that. Obviously backpacks are a little easier up stairs etc than suitcases, however one of the travellers was my mother and she managed the stairs and changes well. <BR><BR>Note that due to the need to board and disembark quickly we made plans to meet at the next station if we got separated.<BR><BR>In terms of stairs and walking, in some stations there would be, say 5 minutes of walking, including stairs (time estimated including luggage).<BR><BR>Your proposition would probably be 'doable' however, if a cab is within budget (or not far out) a lot of stress may be saved. <BR><BR>have a good trip

Barb

I have made the mistake of taking luggage on the metro 10 yrs ago. I forgot how awful that was and did it again last year (with husband and child in tow). Some metros have an unbelievable number of stairs, which is not fun, even with wheeled luggage. Don't even think about it - spring for the taxi.

Linda

Take the cab. I was in Paris last spring with one big wheeled suitcase and it was miserable! Depending on the stop there can be lots of stairs and/or broken escalators. Every now and then there was a gentleman who helped by spontaneously picking up the back end (of the suitcase! but when I was done they could have picked up my back end and I wouldn't have complained!!!).

Christina

I think taking metro with that kind of luggage is not a good idea. Some stations have considerable stairs and walking distance in them, it can be 1/4 mile in some, it seems. However, I don't think anyone mentioned that there are certain times of day when it will literally be impossible if the cars are full. Sometimes it can be difficult to squeeze yourself in during popular times like rush hours, let alone baggage. <BR><BR>I also wanted to mention that the extra charge for baggage someone mentioned is not a lot, so don't worry about it (about 1 euro), but the advice to realize your final bill is not exactly the meter is good. There is also a surcharge from train stations, as I recall, but it isn't a lot, either (also about 1 euro).<BR><BR>As far as pickpockets, yeah, you probably will be targeted as a combination of having the luggage and those routes are more popular with pickpockets. I saw a guy get pickpocketed once on the Louvre line who had a backpack and was oblivious to what was going on as well as encumbered. Aside from just being a good target, people with baggage also tend to stay right in front of the door (often have to, in fact) and that's the prime pickpocketing spot.<BR><BR>A cab won't even cost that much per person, it's only the cost of a couple cups of coffee each. I don't think there are any shuttle services from the train stations, which I guess is what you asked.<BR><BR>Someone else's question about 4 people is true, they are not required to have someone in the front seat, but extra charge was 15F for 4th person pre-euro.

JakiChan

Is it still about 50 euro to CDG to town? (I ask because that's a lot for a single person.)