Can anyone tell me if I need to preorder a maxi taxi (and is there such a thing in Paris) that can accomodate our family of 5.
Also would US$50 cover a taxi from CDG to the 7th? We would be travelling on a Tuesday at about 7pm and our children are slender but adult sized. We won't have much luggage- 5 small backpacks.

i believe it will be about 60 euros to the 7th. that is what others have paid.

Just go to the taxi stand. You will be placed in the next SUV sized vehicle or mini-van. It should cost 40 to 50 euros at 7pm on a Tuesday.

It is best to reserve for more than 4 people (taxis don't have to accept more than 3, but many will accept 4). Taxis for five are quite rare, although they are more likely to be found at the airport than at most other locations.

I also would count more on the 50 euro range. I don't see how 40 euro would be possible (taxi rates rise at 7 pm, for one thing), as there will be charges for those extra people beyond three and the bags. That might add up to about 10 euro right there. 40 euro is a possible taxi fee during the daytime for 1-2 people to that area, but even then, it can run higher in that case.

No need to preorder. Just go to the taxi stand, and let the starter know there are five of you. We did this, and the five of us got the next minivan (ahead of smaller groups in line).

Also, DO NOT accept a taxi from anyone who approaches you in the terminal. They are not official taxis, and will try to scam you.

Woody

You are allowed to choose any taxi in a line of taxis, no matter what the other taxi drivers might scream at you -- and since there are minivan taxis in the line, you can find a taxi for 5.

Thanks for your help on this, transporting a family of 5 is obviously a major exercise, and a fairly expensive one when I multiply the Euro by 1.6 for the Australian dollar. There is a bus I believe that runs to Place de l'Opera- maybe this would be a good option if the weather is good and we feel up to a walk to our apartment>

The bus to Opéra wouldn't be your best option for getting to the 7th by public transportation, because you would still have to take a metro or bus from there. The RER B would take you from CDG to Saint Michel, where you could change to the RER C or metro line 10 to go to the 7th. However, it would still cost you 5 x 8 € = 40 € = $US 51. Cheaper than if you have to take 2 taxis, but certainly not worth it if you can find a taxi for 5.

An often-overlooked possibility is the Air France bus to Gare Montparnasse (and a bus or Métro from there).

With a Paris City Passport, AF will knock 25% off the full fare of 18€ round-trip, so your party of 5 would be paying 33,75€ each way. Any kids under 12 would pay a few Euro less.

http://tinyurl.com/lcgmq

4 for us reserved a van that took us directly to the hotel. The driver met us with our name on a poster as you exit customs into the terminal. You can find them under Paris airport shuttle. YOu can have a private van for 5 people for 90 E with no stops.

It might be added parenthetically that the Roissybus to Op&eacute;ra that kerouac mentioned does offer one advantage for budget travelers with large luggage: the entire route is at ground level (<i>i.e.</i> no schlepping your gear up and down the stairs in and out of train stations).

At Op&eacute;ra, one can go back up the block behind the Roissybus stop and board a N&deg; 42 bus direct to the Eiffel Tower. This opton costs 8,40&euro; for the Roissybus plus whatever one is paying for city bus rides. There are changes along the route that can get one closer to places like La Tour-Maubourg, &Eacute;cole Militaire, or Rue Cler. Here's a map of the area:

http://www.ratp.info/picts/plans/pdf..._militaire.pdf