Paris Transfers
 

Hi all...me again....
new question...any advise on transfers from cdg to the CHAMPS-ELYSEES...again, im the dad with the 2 kids..we are coming from the states so will be in early morning after the overnite flight....
i see taxi/ private bus tsfrs are going to run about $100 for us...how much of a pain will the metro be with luggage etc ? thanks....

"how much of a pain will the metro be with luggage etc ? thanks.... "

it may depend on where you are going (exactly ), i.e. how many transfers on RER and Metro...and how far from Metro to your hotel.

Danon is right. If you have to transfer and have a good bit of luggage, you may find this method of transportation a hassle after flying overnight. There may be stairs to climb and long walks between metro stations, depending on where your eventual destination is. Depends too on how old the kids are, and whether they are able to manage their own luggage easily.

Are there three of you? With that many, a taxi is probably cheaper in total than a "shared ride" shuttle and more direct.

Again, depending on where your eventual destination is, someone else on this forum may be able to give you details on the Air France bus, which goes directly into the city, but makes no stops at hotels. You can take a taxi from your disembarkation point, if necessary. I've taken this bus a few times as well, but not in a while, so I am not able to tell you exactly where it stops for certain. But the knowledgeable people on this forum can do that if you give us more details on where your hotel is.

We are also arriving in the early AM and do not want to deal with 2 transfers and pulling bags up and down steps. So I just Googled "paris airport shuttles" and ended with parishuttle.com. For 34 euros the two us will be taken directly to our hotel. Reserved online via a secure site. The company has been in business for over 10 years so they must be doing something right. It is a shared mini-van so it may take a little longer. We leave the 12th so can't give a recommendation until after then. good luck

If you want to economize, get details for the Air France coaches on their website (you do not have to fly Air France) and see where the Line 2 stops are relative to where you are staying. Or, you can always take the Air France coach, then a taxi. The advantage here is that they handle your bags for you and the ride is in a very comfortable vehicle. They do circle the airport before heading into Paris, and vice versa on the return.

Beware of any shuttle services. With three people, a taxi will not cost much more. I have never observed a shuttle service that is totally reliable - all have reports of no show or having to chase them down and wait at the airport. Driving around for others at the airport and in Paris is boring and time consuming. Having to make a phone call on arrival is inconvenient.

My top recommendation, especially after an overnight flight with two kids, is to just head for the offical taxi stand (ignore any offers along the way if you should be approached) at CDG. The fare should be no more than €50-60 (about the same as AF or a shuttle service), and could be in the 40's with no traffic. The drivers are expert and efficient at matching parties/bags to vehicles.

thank you all....