grommet19

I agree that a shuttle is the way to go, especially if you have luggage and aren't an experienced Paris visitor. You might have to wait around a little for the other shuttle passengers to arrive, but that beats waiting in a long line for RER tickets and having to navigate train stations when you're exhausted from a long flight, etc. Our RER/taxi combo worked out fine but I probably wouldn't do it that way again.

Luckily all the escalators worked when we were at Gard du Nord -- my DH would've had a heck of a time lugging his ginormous suitcase up a flight of stairs. He is not a light packer!

cat111719

Grommet, SO and I had our first France trip a few years ago. I wanted a taxi, or at least a shuttle but he insisted on the train. None of the escalators were working at the various stations, and you had to go down on one side, then go up the other. Let's just say I was less than a great sport (princess me) and when he said, "Don't worry, babe. I'll get that suitcase", I dropped the handle mid-staircase. By the time we emerged near our hotel, we were panting and struggling with our bags (neither of us have mastered the art of packing well), walking past all these calm, collected people sipping their wine at cafes on the warm afternoon,with red, sweat-drenched faces, he made promised "Never again!" We often refer to this as our Paris moment, meaning what is it going to "cost" to save a few dollars!

We leave next week and are safely booked on Shuttle-Inter.

grommet19

Ha! Great story, Cat. Have a great time on your trip and enjoy the shuttle!

Barnum

Unless you are on a deadline what's wrong with a shared shuttle? About five years ago we started talking to another couple on a shuttle and became close friends. We went out together in Paris, and still correspond.

Arielle

What am I not understanding? I'm checking the rates of the various shuttle services mentioned here and see prices in the 24-26 euro range (one way/pp) from CDG to Paris. Ira mentions the rate is about 18 euros. Which of the services mentioned here offer the less expensive rate? I understand that some of the shuttle services are not reliable so would like to avoid those.

tdk320n

Arielle,

If you look at the rates again you will see that the higher price is for a person traveling alone. The 18 euro rate is for each person if there are 2 people booking together. Hope this clears this up

wondering

I don't know where the Air France bus stops, but we have used it several times and it is so easy and affordable. Have you asked the hotel where it stops in relation to the hotel? You can purchase a round trip ticket and the buses are very reliable.

ssander

Rumseydog...

Thanks for the tip about taking the KROL train...we're arriving May 12 going to Chatalet-Les Halles, and I had forgotten about that important info.

The RER B schedule can be found at:

http://www.ratp.info/horaires/index....hoix_rer_ssotr

Choose Line B and Tous les horaires à une gare to pick your starting stations.

Looking at the schedule, it appears that returning to CDG is best done on the EKLI train which is express after G.d. Nord.

Is that right? (It's strange...the EKLI train is designated express on the schedule, but the KROL is not...but I think you're right about it also being an express.)

SS

ssander

Ooops...

Just noticed that the earliest EKLI train won't get to CDG in time (11:30 departure). We learned from experience to get there 3 hours before takeoff, having arrived with 2 hours to spare and almost missed our flight.

Too bad...I guess we'll have to ride the local.

SS

Arielle

There seem to be a number of shuttle services and most are within the same price range. I have read some negative comments about the Bee Shuttle service (on Trip Advisor) so I will avoid that one. Any others any of you have had less than stellar experience with? There are two that seem to be recommended with similar sounding names. Paris-Shuttle.com and Parisshuttle.com - they have different websites and I think are different companies. Anyone know?

tdk320n

I just booked my shuttle service using the www.parisshuttle.com that was listed in Ira'S reply. The website was very professional looking and easy to use. I assume that there will be no problems.

ssander

More on the train:

It appears that there are fast trains to CDG earlier than the EKLI trains. These leave Chatalet-les Halles at 7:11 7:26 7:41 7:56, etc. -- and are not marked as expresses, but only take 31 minutes, just like the KROL trains going to the city.

Not of any interest to those above who are taking a shuttle, but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

SS

cracov02

Well i live in Paris, and i would say that is easier to take the public transport which is quiet efficient in Paris, and in that case quiet easy. When you arrive at Roissy charles de gaulle, you take the free shuttle airport and in one minute you arrive at the RER B station. Take a ticket (8,5 euro/pers) and you go to Paris until Denfert Rochereau. Then you take the metro line 4 to "porte de clignancourt" and two stations later, here it is. And your hotel is very close from the vavin station, just 100 meters. So for 17 euro you can do it easily.
But just one thing, if you arrive late in Roissy Charles de gaulle and you want to take the RER B, avoid train that stops before Paris, choose train direct to Paris (gare du nord, chatelet). Some of them stops before at "Aulnay sous bois", "le blanc mesnil"... But it could be dangerous. And in that case don't choose a empty train, and don't stay close the door.
Otherwise you have airport shuttle service, It more or less the same as a taxi, but you have to book it first and your driver is waiting for you, it is more comfortable than waiting for a taxi for hours and cheaper. I know this one which is cheap and efficient. www.allonavette.fr
Enjoy your trip in Paris.
Sylvain

Canada_V

Cracov02 - we are arriving early morning at CDG, and departing late morning when we go home. You suggest avoiding the RER that stops at Aulnay sous bois, but it looks like all the trains before approx 9am will stop there (looks like it is more difficult to find a true "express" that early).
What kind of danger are you refering to (relevant to a 7 or 8am Friday or Monday trip?)

thanks!
V

Robespierre

The danger is that RER B is a popular venue for cutpurses and pickpockets because it's frequented by tired travelers from overseas - the most vulnerable.

The first KROL on weekdays departs CDG2 at 8h55.

The complete CDG->Paris timetable is here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_hora...b&loc=horaires
Paris->CDG is here: http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_hora...g&loc=horaires

ssander

Robespierre...

Looking at the schedules (and the durations), it appears that going back to CDG (from Chatelet-Les Halles, my stop), the earliest listed "direct depuis Gare du Nord" (EKLI - 31 min. duration) is at 9:26 -- way too late to catch my 11:30 flight back to PHL.

However, when I check actually travel times using their form to find specific trains, there are 31-min trains every 15 min starting 5:41 up to the time the EKLI trains start (EMIR, ESTE, ENZO, ETAL). Am I understanding this correctly?

(Note: Any train that starts wit E goes to CDG, right?)

SS

cracov02

I make reference to physical attacks on tourists who are easy preys for young delinquents. No paranoia, but it is necessary to know that it exists, particularly on this axis. If you arrive early in the morning there is not too much risk, the delinquents are still sleeping at this time. If you have no direct RER, choose a train with a lot of people, and do not stay close the door (and please don't read a touristic book about Paris!!!!!). For evening, I do not know schedules for RER, but there is regularly express towards the airport. But anyway if you take your RER at 7:30 pm, it is the hour where trains are full, thus no risk, take any of it who goes to the airport. You would have said to me 21 or 22pm , I will have said attention. Good journey and don't be afraid : There's no risk by taking the RER at the hours of big influx.

Canada_V

Thanks cracov02 -
We were planning to use the RER to get both to and from CDG, and in both cases it would be a 7am ish type time.
Sounds like our greatest risk coming in at that time might be a crush of commuters from the suburbs ? Am I correct in interpreting that we just need to maintain the diligence of being in any large group of strangers in any big city?
We won't have a lot of luggage, but are under no delusions that our little family of 4 will look like anything but visitors from out of town

Steeve_Govinda

The low cost transportation method is the RER/Métro at 8.50€ each. It is inexpensive but though not particularly difficult, I do not recommend it for first time travellers into Paris as it requires your finding the departure station (in terminal 2 and near terminal 1), purchasing tickets (the line can be lengthy), making underground connections (which can be confusing the first time you attempt this) and may involve stairs (obviously awkward with luggage).

Back to shuttles, all require a reservation, most require a prepayment. Difficulties arise when a prepayment is made and you arrive late or the van arrives late. To avoid the possible loss of a prepayment, if you want to use a shuttle, use one where the driver accepts payment. This way if the van fails to show you can use an alternate transportation method:

http://www.odysseetransfer.com

Avoid shared ride vans, use private vans only. Shared ride vans are inexpensive but the travel time into Paris can be lengthy as you will never know where you are in the pickup/drop off sequence. If the low cost of shared ride vans appeals to you, use the RER instead. The RER is about half the price and can be a lot faster.

Michel_Paris

The RER line starts at CDG, so you have a better chance of finding a seat. My last trip I did RER/Metro in, Metro/Air France bus out. I had a large bag on wheels.