Message: Anyone want to suggest the best and most economical way to get from Degaulle to Paris hotel? Our hotel, the St. James and Albany, is right across from the Louvre. We're arriving around 2:00 P.M., if that makes a difference. Also, I hear some very good... and very bad things about this hotel? Anyone familiar with it. I choose it because of the location. We'll only be in Paris 3 days and wanted to be close to the Louvre.

I have used PariShuttle several times and have always been pleased with the service. Others praise the taxis, but after I have been awake all night (cannot sleep on a plane), I like knowing I have a reservation; I call the toll free number upon landing and the shuttle is usually right outside the airport door by the time I have my luggage. I am not familiar with the hotel you named.

Hi, while others prefer shuttles, my view is completely opposite that of palette's. It's for the same reasons palette mention that I favor taking a taxi. For the time I need to call and wait for the shuttle I could go to the taxi stand just outside Arrivals and get on my way. The taxi line goes by quickly. Take into considertaion that you may have to share the shuttle with other passengers. I've also read here that reserved shuttles to return to the airport did not show up or were late.
With a taxi you just have to ask the hotel's staff to reserve one for you the day before you depart.

The most economical way would be RER. You can get the train right at CDG and it will take you downtown. If you don't have much luggage, you could easily walk to the Louvre or transfer to the Metro (using the same ticket). If you have lots of luggage, use the Blue Shuttle.

Have a great trip.

Going there myself in a couple of weeks too. Will be using the Blue shuttle for the transfer from airport to hotel. think its one of the cheapest way..
http://www.airportshuttle.fr/

happy holidays!

Hello,
The hotel St James is really expensive I think!!!
I can advise you to go to the hotel Malte Opera*** (about 100 euros for a double room if you book on the internet): www.malteopera.com or the hotel Britannique*** (about 180 euros for a double room): www.hotel-britannique.com
There are both located near the Louvre.
The metro or the RER will cost you the same (about 1 euro or 1.50 euros) and it stops at about 1PM I think.
You can have information on www.ratp.fr
You can also take a taxi, it's not really expensive.
I hope I've helped you. Have a good trip in Paris!

Palette, re the PariShuttle, do you have their toll free number or where in the DeGaulle Airport would I find such number? Thanks and Happy New Year.

Hi
If you go to www.tripadvisor.com you will find many comments on the hotel.
I can say that the location IS excellent.

The Hotel St. James et Albany is not really across from the Louvre, but it is on the Rue de Rivoli opposite the Tuileries Gardens. Either a shuttle or taxi will get you there quite nicely. I have to say that for the price that hotel is NOT one of our favorites, unless it's really been upgraded in the last few years. When we stayed there the rooms were very 60's drab, and the upkeep was marginal at best. I hope things have However, for the same price you could stay at the boutique Washington Opera hotel, which is decidedly upmarket and pleasant; it's quite near the Palais Royal. Another excellent hotel in that area is the Mansart, just off the Place Vendôme, which is one of our favorites--and only about 4 blocks from the Louvre.

I'm a little curious about the calling the shuttle thing. The only time I've ever tried to find a phone in a European airport, I was unable to find one until after clearing customs -- after waiting for and collecting my baggage. And even then there were no phones available. People were monopolizing them and there people standing around waiting to use them. Also, how easy is it to call a toll free number on a pay phone? Don't you need to go buy a phone card first? It was my impression that you can't do anything without a card to put in the phone -- at least that was my public phone experience in Germany trying to call a toll free number. I ended up having to buy a 10euro phone card just to call the toll free number for the airlines.

Hi
one of the Paris shuttle services used to have a dedicated direct phone line in the terminal, don't know if that is still the case.

However after a long flight I don't want to wait around, and I don't want to sit in a van while other people are dropped off first. If budget permits take a cab; otherwise do the mass transit thing.

I always just take a taxi which I consider the best way, of course the best is not the most economical. There are often lots of people at the public phones, and I'm not sure, but I don't think you need a phone card in France for a tollfree number.


In any case, I really would not recommend the RER/metro in your case given the location of that hotel. I don't there is any way to even easily transfer from the RER B line to metro line 1. YOu have to get off the RER at Chatelet/Les Halles and then walk all the way to the Chatelet metro stop which is quite a distance, and then go a stop or two to Louvre or Tuileries. I wouldn't do that unless I had nothing but a small carryon.

I'm with francophile on reasons for not wanting a shuttle. I just don't want to fool around with appointments,phone calls, waiting, reservations, etc, just for a simple ride into town. It's a lot easier to just walk out and get in a cab.

http://www.parishuttle.com/ The toll free number is on the left of the home page. I have used this company five times and have been very pleased; the drivers were courteous, extremely helpful with luggage, and sometimes downright funny. I always was able to find a phone near the luggage area, with no one in line, and just dialed the number into the phone without any card, etc. On one trip, the luggage handlers were "on strike" and it took more than an hour to get our suitcases; I just continued to call the shuttle company to update (staff speaks English); when we walked outside, the driver and van were there. And, although I have always shared the shuttle with others, I didn't consider it a problem - just a bit of Paris sightseeing on the way to my hotel, with usually a commentary by the driver if he is asked. We were always more than one and qualified for the group rate so it was less than a taxi would have cost. And, I am a two suitcase gal, and so the RER is never a consideration. And, the debate goes on....LOL

might i inquire about the price differential between the shuttles and a taxi? i have only taken RER into paris and taxi back to CDG for return home. thanx.

The shuttle is about 18 Euro per person (for at least 2 traveling), regardless of where your hotel in Paris is located. (you might include a tip for the shuttle driver). A taxi can cost 35-45 Euro depending on traffic, and whether you are deep into the Left Bank or not. Also know that each bag loaded into the taxi has a 1-2 Euro handling fee, and you should also tip, of course.
(The taxi to CDG is about the same as from CDG - there is no 'flat rate' as in some cities).
The price difference is the tradeoff for more convenience / direct routing with a taxi.

Anybody notice that smiroglotta said "our hotel"? The cost comparisons for taxi vs shuttle change when there are two or more people. Looks like the taxi will still be more expensive (35-45, plus bags plus tip) than the shuttle (at least 2x18), but not much more expensive. So take a taxi from the airport. If the rate turns out to be closer to 45+, you might decide for that the return trip to the airport to take the shuttle (when it will be easier to book in advance from your hotel phone).

We took a taxi from the airport to our Hotel on the Champs Elysees for 38 euros each way. The RER would be the easiest and fastest mass transit if you choose that option.

Dear Smiroglotta

Its been a long time since ive posted on fodors but its good to see that Paris still maintains a healthy following.

In answer to your question the most economical way of getting from the airport to the hotel is the RER train service .
If , however , you are new to the french train network & have luggage with you the RER service would not be the easiest option .

A taxi will cost anything between 35 & 90 euros ( believe me I have receipts from customers to prove it )depending on arrival time / rush hour traffic , weather conditions - when it rains the french inexplicably drive faster & hence have more accidents ,roadworks - constant repairs taking place on both major motorways A1 & A3 from the airport etc
( Have a look at www.infotrafic.com between 7am & 10am CET to have an idea of how good /bad traffic can be in Paris )

The other option is to take a shuttle service of which there are now many to choose from .
Some are very good & unfortunately some are very poor but as with everything in life you get what you pay for.I would advise wherever possible to try & take a shuttle service where you can pay in cash when you arrive rather than pre paying by credit card .This keeps your options open should your shuttle arrive very late you can always take an alternative service.

Bear in mind for your return journey that the shuttle service proposed by your hotel is not necessarily the best service available but merely the shuttle service that pays the most commission to the receptionist.Hotels will take anything up to 7 euros per head on the price you pay for a shuttle so it makes more financial sense , if you can , to call the shuttle company directly.

Your hotel the Clarion St James & Albany is a very well located , & judging by the amount of customers we take there , a very popular hotel. I have never heard a bad word in reference to this hotel & i have been here six years now.

Whichever means of transport you choose to take i wish you a very happy stay in Paris .

I'll take this opportunity to wish all fodorites a very happy new year & I hope that you will continue to make Paris the number one tourist destination in 2004.


best regards

Mark Harris
Parishuttle

You can reserve the PariShuttle in advance on their website (http://www.parishuttle.com/).
At the airport, you collect your bags and clear Customs. Go to a payphone to call the 800-number given on the website. NOTE: you do not need coins or a card to use the phone BUT you may need to locate and press a button on the phone labeled "sans carte" - at least, the two times I used the phone as well as a coworker who visited Paris this was a required step to successfully get a dial tone to call out w/o a phone card (sorry for terrible sentence construction!).
The shuttle folks will tell you what door ("porte&quot to exit and stand outside - the van will arrive in 10-15 minutes.
You call them from the airport to inform them you have arrived, not to make the reservation. The van driver isn't going to come to the terminal not knowing if your flight was delayed or bags lost, etc. I always have the hotel's full name, address and phone number, and a map of its location to ensure the driver knows which place to go. There are a number of hotels in Paris with exactly the same name.