It really isn't that far of a walk... Carrying luggage the other way around isn't fun, but if the station is a certain depth below the ground it is guaranteed to have escalators going up.

Well I read this thread and the thought that kept going through my mind was,, pack light, there so many advantages to doing so, and few disadvantages.
Saving money by not having to completely form travel plans around the size of ones bag is a huge advantage.

PS I do think if the hotel can arrange a shuttle for 18 euros that is not a bad idea,, mind you,, I do not like to pay in advance for services like that, I always worry they won't show up etc. but, if hotel found a shuttle company that you could pay on arrival then I would take that option, door to door delivery would be nice after a long flight, and since the RER is almost 9 euros anyways,, its only 9 more euros for door to door. In the scheme of a huge trip that is nothing.

By the way, the train/bus option is not &quot;to save 10 euro&quot; - but rather 10 euro <i>per person</i>.

I think the optimum blend for most travelers is just what you'd do if you were traveling from New York to Cologne via FRA - you land in FRA, get on the train to Cologne, and take a taxi to your hotel.

Land at CDG, get on the train to Paris, and take a taxi to your hotel.