tamaraten

Hi, I'm surprising my daughter with a trip to Paris for her birthday, this Thursday. This is very last second.
Any advice on the best way to get to Hotel Du Louvre? (1st Arr. - I've never been there). I'd like not to splurge on a taxi from the airport to hotel. I haven't been to Paris in 15 years, and I don't remember how metro/train/bus system works.

Thanks!

Apres_Londee

You can take an RER train from the airport into central Paris, and then either transfer to the metro or take a taxi to your hotel. This link has pretty detailed info and instructions:

http://parisbytrain.com/charles-de-g...aris-by-train/

tamaraten

I called the hotel after my post, and was told there are no trains, that I should take the subway.

Thank you for your answer Apres_Londee- I looked at the link and I am now totally confused.

Should I take the train or the subway? Which would be faster and/or easiest?

If I took the RER train as you suggested, where do I get off exactly?

Thanks again!

StCirq

The hotel's own website suggests taking the Roissybus and then walking. I can't understand why they didn't tell you that when you called. Sure, you can take the RER (commuter train) and then métro, but the Roissybus drops you off right at Opéra, which looks like it's maybe a 5 minute walk to the hotel. Considering the prices at that hotel, I'd already be expecting better service than you've gotten.

Judy

I was going to suggest the Roissy bus as well. Perhaps the problem with the hotel's advice was a language issue, not a service isue.

adrienne

I realize that everyone has certain areas they want to economize but you're trying to save about E30 on the taxi. A taxi costs about E50 from CDG; the RER about E20 and the bus about E30.

The Hotel du Louvre is fairly expensive, you've paid money for airline tickets, you'll be spending money on food and sightseeing during your Paris trip. If you're arriving after an overnight flight isn't the extra E30 you'll spend on a taxi worth the price for the convenience?

RonZ

I'd take a taxi, but the RER [to Chatalet les Halles] over the Roissy Bus because it is a much shorter walk. All you need to do is walk out to the taxi line with the address written down to show to the driver. Pay the metered fare and €1 per bag.

Gretchen

As Adrienne suggests, why not just spring for a little extra AT THE BEGINNING to 'wow' your daughter and get the trip started right--take the taxi. When you depart, do the bus or the RER.
I suspect you used the term "train" and they reverted to "Metro", which you would have to use also.

tamaraten

Serious Update!: I am happy to report that I received an email from the hotel, correcting the information they had provided and explaining how to go on the RER. That was quite impressive, speaking about service.

(btw, the woman I spoke to spoke English perfectly, so it wasn't at all a language issue. Simple misinformation I guess).

I'm normally a taxi person....and believe me, I'm easily tempted by the idea of just hopping into a cab. I might just do that. We're not coming from North America though, so there won't be jet-lag, and I thought I might save the money. But you're right, when you put it like that adrienne - it's worth the extra E30. But I also thought it might be fun to show her that there are other ways of getting around in a new city, on a bus, or a subway, which can be a fun adventure.

So now I really don't know what to do...

adrienne

You'll have ample opportunities to use the metro and buses during your stay in Paris and you can show your daughter what public transportation is all about once you settle in and acclimate yourselves a bit.

Even if you don't use the metro to get places you can show her some of the interesting metro stations such as Palais Royal, Abbesses, Odeon, Louvre (and there's lots more). I think there was a post by kerouac in the last year showing the different stations (inside and outside) with photos.

tamaraten

Thanks adrienne. I think I'll just play it by ear once we arrive and see how we feel.

thanks again.