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-   -   Paris (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-1672481/)

Macross Oct 4th, 2019 04:42 AM

RER, traffic with taxi took us forever the one time we did it to hook up with apartment host wh arranged the driver. I told him we would have been on time if we had taken the RER. There were three of us and one is not the best rushed with one bag so we did it but never again.

thursdaysd Oct 4th, 2019 05:19 AM

If saving money and the RER is out, there is a bus to Montparnasse: Le Bus Direct | Airport bus coach service Roissy - Orly - Paris | Airport-Paris.com

Not that I have much interest in helping someone whose instinct is to use Uber.

suze Oct 4th, 2019 06:36 AM

Thank you for all the suggestions I guess the solution is uber


WHAT?!?!? How in the world did you come up with that conclusion, from the replies here?

Belinda Oct 4th, 2019 06:37 AM

TerryTT, welcome to perhaps the least hospitable forum on the internet.

I usually take a taxi (from the legitimate taxi queue - beware of illegal taxis offering you a ride inside the terminal) FROM CDG and take Uber or Kapten TO the airport. Taxis have fixed fares, 50 euro to the right bank, 55 to the left. I have found Uber and Kapten to be typically 45 euro to the airport, sometimes less.

I'm not sure why Uber would be more polluting than a taxi. I know that every little bit helps the environment, but I just find a taxi to be a far more comfortable way to arrive after a long flight and with luggage. Additionally, the RER would leave me with two metro changes and still a bit of a walk (with 40 stairs) before I even get to my front door.

As for the anti-Uber crowd, I have had such bad experiences with taxis lately. The drivers always take a longer route then they need to, just to ratchet up the fare. I confronted one day before yesterday, saying that I live here and I do know this is not the fastest way. He laughed and made a u-turn getting us back on the quickest route. Also, I took a taxi from the queue at Gare de Lyon and the fare got all the way to 12,80 before we even got onto the street! Crazy.

suze Oct 4th, 2019 06:40 AM

If someone has just gotten off a transatlantic plane flight (granted we don't know where the OP is from but they are flying in from somewhere) I don't think the pollution of a taxi or uber ride is a drop in the bucket.

I am not anti-uber I just didn't see how that would be the conclusion drawn, from the replies given above.

Fodorite018 Oct 4th, 2019 06:41 AM

For me, it would depend on how many people are traveling together. If it is just me, or if my husband is along, we just use public transportation in any city, including Paris. If there are 3 or more, we do a taxi. Again, that also depends on who the 3 includes. For us it has been my mom and then our kids when they were young, so a taxi was the best option for those trips. Otherwise I am just fine flying from Seattle and using a metro/etc for a new city.

kerouac Oct 4th, 2019 06:52 AM

Okay, you internal combustion people win. I say just go freestyle. There are very helpful men lurking right at the baggage exit who will ask you if you need a taxi. Just follow one of them for an interesting experience.

suze Oct 4th, 2019 07:07 AM

I don't think it matters what city you are talking about. Getting out of an airport typically has those same options... taxi, ride-share, private drivers, shared shuttle or bus, other public transportation.

My choice depends on how long a flight i just got off of, if I've slept in the past few days, who I am traveling with, how much luggage I have or not, and how close public transportation gets me on the other end to where I need to be.

RobertaL Oct 6th, 2019 01:28 PM

Taxi, 55 euros. Walk, bus, metro the remainder of my trip.

StCirq Oct 6th, 2019 02:19 PM

I freely admit to having been an internal combustion animal when I used to travel (often) from the USA to Paris. I never sleep on planes. When I had two young kids with me, I was a mess upon arrival. When I traveled by myself I was still a tired mess. I ALWAYS took a taxi. Well, once I went on the RER with two young kids and it was such a horrific experience I vowed never to do it again. It was almost impossible to exit at our stop with suitcases (small ones) and two little kids without being trampled or caught in the doors.

If you're in good shape when you arrive, have light luggage, and are alone, sure, take the RER. Otherwise, my vote is for a taxi, especially now that the fares are standardized. I have PLENTY of other ways I practice environmental carefulness.

janisj Oct 6th, 2019 02:50 PM

>>The drivers always take a longer route then they need to, just to ratchet up the fare.<<

Not relevant to the question since the taxis fare in from CDG is pre-set.

terrytt: Not sure where you glommed on to uber being recommended. Please re-read all the responses (well except for the arguing re carbon footprint which is for another forum/topic)

Uber really isn't 'the' solution in any way. If you uber you could be subject to surge pricing, whereas taxis fares are controlled. No searching for your driver - just walk to the taxi rank and the dispatcher will direct you to the next available cab.

So either a taxi or the RER --

AJPeabody Oct 6th, 2019 04:15 PM

Hypothesis: A lot of people consider uber to BE a cab, hence the OP using the u-word.

sf7307 Oct 7th, 2019 05:32 AM

FWIW, we priced Uber vs. cab in the other direction, and it was almost the same, so we took a cab arranged by our hotel.


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