Hello,

We have just booked a break for us and our parents ( 60 y.olds). We are staying close to the Hauvre Caumartin Metro Station in the 9th Arrondissement and we want advice on what's the best way to get from CDG Airport to our hotel.
We have read that it cost 45 euros- average price- for a taxi ( We would have only 2 lightish suitcases) but I keep saying to my sister that I don't think it's a good idea to take a taxi because we will arrive at 6pm and that's rush hour and the taxi ride could end up costing 65 euros or more!! Am I right??

I have read that there is a Roissybus that goes from CDG terminal 2 direct to Opera ( I take there are not stops and the bus goes direct to Opera) and it costs 8 euros p.person. From Opera we could take the metro ( I don't think it should cost more than 2 euros from there to Hauvre Caumartin). Sorry to go on, I need advice please!
Thanks very much.

Hi lulu,

Ask your parents if they feel up to taking the bus.

From where the Roissybus stops, it is just as easy to walk to Havre-Caumartin.

I would take a taxi, no matter what time of day.

Look at a map of Paris, and you'll realise that the distance between the Roissybus stop (ie intersection rue Scribe/rue Auber) and Havre Caumartin is about 200 metres. So:
1) No taxi will ever take you for such a short ride
2) Anyway, minimum fare in Paris taxis in 5 euros + luggage
3) Very few taxis in Paris have enough room to accommodate 4 people + luggage (but these people carriers are available at CDG)

And anyway the bus will be stranded in the same traffic jams as the taxi from CDG. That said, as in all big cities, at 18h00, traffic will mostly be flowing outwards Paris and not inwards. It should be dense but not unmanageable. To cut a long story short, I would advise on the taxi from CDG. Another possibly quicker alternative would be to take the RER from CDG to Les Halles; there, you just cross the platform and take RER A for one stop, getting off at Auber, where from you can walk to your hotel. But then, it will definitely be rush hour for the locals who might not welcome these heavily loaded tourists in an already crowded commuter train!

It is erroneous to say that taxis for 4 are not available. Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel and begin your trip on a less stressful note than any other mode of transport. Just go to the taxi line and ask for a Taxi Parisien for 4people. They are quite common now.

I always take a taxi, but your being so close to the Roissybus stop makes this a good alternative.

Yes, the Roissybus will be stranded in the same traffic, but at least it doesn't have a meter with "wait time" on it! ;-)

Is the 6:00 pm the time your plane is scheduled to arrive, or are we talking about the time after your plane actually arrives, you get your luggage, and clear immigrations and customs? I think if you factor in that time, you will be past the rush hour, and in any event, the heavy traffic will be heading in another direction.

The bus is economical and convenient. The RER/metro is economical and convenient, but a lot of people worry about carrying all their luggage (if you elect this route, hold onto your ticket, as it will be good for both the RER and metro, I believe). A taxi would be economical and convenient as the cost is split among four people, and the driver is more likely to be able to find your destination than you will be, but you should worry about luggage. I find it hard to believe that 4 people will have but two lightish suitcases; if so, you are champion travellers, but I think it is more likely that you will have 8 pieces among you, which could be a problem with a taxi.

My favorite is the RER/metro as I think it is usually the quickest since it doesn't have to deal with traffic. I doubt it would be crowded for you, as you would be getting on at the beginning of the line

Lord knows I always tell people to take a taxi on arrival at CDG, but this is one time when the Roissybus is totally sensible.

I'd take Roissybus also if you are really right near Hauvre Caumartin metro stop. I know sometimes hotels claim they are near a stop, and they are really several blocks away. I don't like to walk with luggage for more than a couple blocks, but that's me. If it's rush hour, the metro will be really crowded, anyway, and it may not be easy to get on with luggage -- so, I wouldn't plan on thee metro from OPera to Hauvre Caumartin. I wouldn't worry about traffic that much -- your plane may not be on time, and by the time you get off and get your baggage, I'll bet it's closer to 7.

Hi Everyone!!
I am so happy with all the replies, I've received Thanks so much.

Yes, we should be out by 6pm, the plane arrives at 5;20pm and there's luggage and inmigration to go through.
I didn't realise Hauvre Caumartin was so close to Opera where the bus arrives. In that case, I'll take the bus!
Thank you all.
Lulu

Christina brought up the most important question...where is this hotel located exactly? How long of a walk is it?

I will also point out that the bus will cost about 32-40E (not sure if it is 8 or 10E). The taxi will be about 50E. Just an idea for comparison.

I'm trying to puzzle out what is meant by "bus will cost about 32-40E (not sure if it is 8 or 10E)." Can anyone enlighten me?

There are four people, so for the bus, depending on the fare, 4 x 8 or 4 x 10 = 32 or 40.

Wouldn't a taxi that holds four people and luggage cost more than the standard taxi? I don't know, as I haven't had the occasion to try to get taxis in Paris.

I'm 65 (tomorrow), my wife 63. Knees not in best shape. That said, we just got back from France. Took Roissy bus to Opera upon arrival, walked about 4-6 blocks to hotel, looking in store windows as we went. Unless your parents are really infirm, or just hate to walk, I'd suggest Roissy. PS: the metro is easy to take for subsequent explorations; we were confused at times, but Parisians were kind, unrude, and more than willing to help us with instructions on which train to take. Just learn to say "parlez-vous anglais?"

Ah. I didn't spot that - thanks.

I vote for: Roissybus to Opéra, walk to hotel. You can download a swell map of the Havre Caumartin district by going to

<b>http://www.citefutee.com/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php</b>

Click <b>Plans de quartier de Paris</b>

Click the second dropdown menu, select <b>Havre Caumartin</b>, and press <b>GO</b>

Notice that the Roissybus stops in the lower right corner.

Taxis cost the same for one or 4. There is a small surcharge (&lt;1E) per piece of luggage. Taxis for 4 are NOT difficult to find.

&gt;...we should be out by 6pm, the plane arrives at 5;20pm &lt;&lt;&lt;

I wouldn't count on it. If you plan on getting your baggage and clearing Immigration and Customs by 7:00, you won't be too disappointed.