I've read many of the threads regarding the various shuttle services from CDG airport into Paris but I am curious whether anyone has had a negative experience with shuttle services. My contact in Paris claims they are unreliable and says take a taxi.

Any comments or reactions?

I usually take the RER, but went with entire family, lots of luggage and took ParisShuttle. They picked us up fine, but dropped us at the first Air France terminal, we were very far from where we needed to go. I would continue to take the RER.

We normally take a taxi but the one time we used the shuttle we had no problem with it at all, however be aware that you may or may not be the first one picked up/dropped off. We were OK with that and were actually the first ones the time we took it. I do prefer a taxi tho and would not take the RER if you have a lot of luggage and/or jetlag. If there are a couple of you the cost of the shuttle is about the same as a taxi. For one person the shuttle is probably more economical.

My wife and I have taken the shuttle a few times both coming from and going to CDG with no troubles. We've enjoyed having the opportunity to compare notes with others and venturing into parts of Paris we wouldn't ordinarily visit.

We were not thrilled with Paris Shuttle. Here is my previous post...

On the recommendation of many Fodorites we booked to use Paris Shuttle. I booked with Mark via email and received a prompt reply. We had two pick ups at our apartment, one for 5:00 a.m., and the other for 10:00 a.m.

Two days prior to our departure I called to confirm the arrangements and was told they did not have a reservation. After much back and forthing, and three phone calls to them, they finally "found it".

At 5:15 a.m. we received a call from the driver who said his van had a problem and he'd arrive in 15 minutes. He arrived at 5:45 a.m, making the timing very tight. He also didn't know what terminal Alitalia was located at...another problem.

When I saw how late the first pick up was, I called Paris Shuttle to ensure they were aware and would be on time for our pick up. They denied that the pick up was at 5:45 and said he was no more than 10 minutes late. I was assured our 10:00 a.m. pick up would be fine.

We were picked up promptly at 10:00, but we were unaware that the driver had 3 more pick ups to make before heading to CDG. He didn't say a word about it. Each of the other pick ups had also been given a 10:00 a.m. pick up time and by the time we reached each one it was between 10:20 and 10:50 and these people were quite irate! We had allowed a ton of time for a 1:00 p.m. flight so we were calm, but others were not happy at all.

Overall, a frustrating and not ideal experience with Paris Shuttle.

I guess for such little difference in price (for two or more, that is) I've never understood doing the shuttle instead of a taxi. With a taxi you get right in and it takes you directly to your door. With the shuttle you may end up waiting quite a while to get it, and then you may be delayed considerably getting to your hotel. If it were a fraction of the price, I might consider it, but to me the inconvenience and delay doesn't justify the minimal savings from a taxi.

We take a taxi in from the airport to the hotel to avoid the RER, which is a difficult trip with luggage and according the the State Department a favorite venue for pickpockets. For departure we have the hotel arrange a van. In that case we arrange for a pickup 3-4 hours in advance because they always pick up other passangers and I'm a nervous traveler, who likes to have a lot of time to spare.

Hi Franm,

I usually do exactly as RJD just posted - taxi from CDG and use shuttle from hotel back to the airport, this has worked for me...

Be well, E

I have taken the shuttle and taxi on different visits. If there's 2 or 3 of you, take the taxi. The fare's about the same and it's faster if the driver has to drop off/pick up someone else before/after you.

Fran-
I have used VIP shuttle in Paris

Here is their email addy:

[email protected]--send to the attention of Eveyln...

Had no problems- were a family of 5 - had van entirely to ourselves in each direction...and they were cheaper than Paris shuttle....

Our hotel had arranged for Paris Shuttle to transport the four of us from CDG to the hotel. We spent about 30 minutes trying to find the meeting place and then the van. After four phone calls to Paris Shuttle, we finally discovered that the driver had parked behind another large van so neither party saw each other. The driver sat in the van and made no attempt to search for us even though the dispatcher had been in contact with him for all four phone calls.

The hotel arranged for another shuttle service (Airport New Shuttle) to transport the four of us to CDG. This service was much better. The van arrived on time and we had plenty of time to catch our flight. The driver was careful to confirm the airline and the correct terminal before dropping us off.

We used PS last year - but never again!
When making the reservation Mark was v.
helpful; unfortunately, when we arrived
at CDG on a Sunday afternoon he was not
working - in fact, noone was working!
When I called for the pick-up only an
answering machine (en francais) was
there! After waiting for an hour we
took a cab to the 7th.

A month later we reconfirmed with them
for the trip to CDG and we were picked
up on time but first in the van! After
three more stops we were jammed! The
driver quietly asked me what Mark had
quoted for the trip; he then called the
office and had a conversation in rapid
French. Hung up and told me we needed
to pay 30 Euro more. I refused. He
had me talk to the 'supervisor' after
I was adamant the fellow said okay but
Mark would have to 'make up the rest'
out of his own money. By this time I
was running out of the appropriate
French and v upset - all this conducted
under the watchful ears of the back-seat
riders <g>! I said I'd take it up with
Mark when I got home. The driver was
became quite P***ed off and dropped us
off well before our stop.....his last
revenge (even tho' we did give him a
tip).

After a few weeks Mark did email me and
ask what happened. I answered him but
to this day haven't heard back.

Next time?? Taxi for sure!

Also reserved Paris Shuttle with Mark last July, on recommendations from this board. He was to pick us up at the CDG Sheraton and take us into central Paris. And, we confirmed prior to our pick-up. We waited for 30 minutes. When no one showed, we took a taxi. We'll never reserve with Paris Shuttle again.

Wow what horror stories. I'm really curious, llamalady. The guy was taking you to CDG and "dropped you off well before our stop." What do you mean by that? Out in the middle of the autoroute, or somewhere else at the airport? And forgive me for asking, but after he didn't show up at all on your arrival, why on earth would you book him again for the return?

I'm not trying to be overly defensive here. As you can probably tell, I don't use the shuttle either, but these statements really have me baffled.

What horror stories! I'm glad we normally use taxi's and the one time we did try the shuttle it was OK. Of course our last taxi driver in Paris tried to kill us (well, maybe he had nothing against us ... but he just drove like a maniac despite our telling him in French to take it easy). It was a rather scarey ride all things considered. In many trips to Paris he was the worst taxi driver we've encountered, but compared to these shuttle stories I guess I'd take my chances with him

Sorry, Patrick, I didn't proof my reply.

We had our luggage and a bike and I felt
giving them another chance was easier
than trying to find another company.
Also, we were let off at a Renault
dealership somewhere waaay out there
towards CDG.

Another case of Gillible's Travels.

Our experience was less than satisfactory also. I followed the directions on the website and reserved a trip for our arrival. We had to call when we got there and then had to wait 45 minutes. Then he drove aorund to another pickup point in heavy traffic and picked up several others. We were the last to be let off and got a nice riding tour of several places and I was relatively satisfied. When we arrived at the hotel the dirver tried to get me to pay cash, I refused because they had claimed they took AMEX. Finally I had to settle for paying with Visa. I think it was bout $40 for the two of us.
I asked how much notice they needed for a return trip and was told just call that day --no problemo.
We were leaving the hotel at 0730 and I started calling at 0600. They were not in the office until 0700. When I got through about 0710 they said there was no way they could pick me up before 1100. I had a 1230 flight so that was not an option.
The Angel on the desk at our hotel finally got me a Taxi which cost only about $10 more for the two of us and the driver was prompt, nice and drove like a bat out of hell but we got to the airport on time.
I am not sure I would ever consider the Paris Shuttle again even though I fault myself for thinking I could get the shuttle on the morning of our departure. (that is not a problem in the big cities in the US.)

Mike

Does anybody have a Shuttle company they can really recommend? Or alternatively, does Paris have "maxi-cabs" or "maxi-taxis" (don't know what they are called in other countries)ie can you pick up a van big enough for 5 or 6 at the taxi rank at the airport, rather than booking a shuttle in advance?

I guess we were lucky! A group of 8-- 4 adults, 4 kids-- we took Paris Shuttle from our 7arr Paris hotel to CDG in mid-July. We phoned to confirm the day before our departure. The driver was about 20 minutes late picking us up, but got us to CDG in plenty of time. He asked to see our tickets to be certain about which terminal for the drop off. Because we were a large enough group, there were no others stops to pickup others. With a group that filled the van, I would do it again.

I've never taken a shuttle in Paris, but I can understand why a single person might for cost savings, or very large groups who couldn't get in one cab. I don't understand why 2-3 people would as you don't save hardly anything and have all the disadvantages. I think some people are worried about having to interact with a French-speaking taxi driver, and I do kind of understand that as in a country where I don't speak a word of the language, I might prefer a shuttle if it were reliable and cheap. At least in countries where I had heard rumors of lots of taxi ripoffs (which I haven't heard about Paris).

Anyway, I have never heard of or seen any shuttle service at CDG that does not require reservations in advance -- e.g., no walkup group shuttles. They do have these in some cities, and I have taken one of those in Prague, but other cities don't allow that for some reason. IN cities that have those, they usually have their own area to pick up passengers, near the taxi stand.