Question on chartering a bus from Paris hotel to CDG
 

I will be in Paris next summer with a group of 15 US students. We'll be arriving into Paris from Paris Nord (by Thalys) and leaving via plane from CDG.

My question is: does anyone have experience chartering a bus that could pick us up at Paris Nord, drop us at our hotel (Place d'Italie) and then pick us up and take us to CDG.

I have loads of experience traveling in France but have never done anything like this. By the way, I know it's possible to take RER/Metro and it will be cheaper but for the sake of convenience and morale I'd like to find a bus (if possible).

Thanks for any and all help. I know this is a different sort of question then the usual ones here and I appreciate any help.

Hi R,

The shuttle vans carry 6 or so people. Maybe you could arrange for 3 of them.

Try
www.beeshuttle.com
www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr/index_en.php
www.parishuttle.com

((I))

Many airlines use Pacific Cars for flight crews (about 15 people).
www.pacific-cars.fr

If you are in charge of these students I believe you should go through a travel agency with experience such as this, rather than asking strangers on a travel board.
If I were a parent and knew this was how arrangements were being made, I would be very worried about my child's welfare.

An intelligent travel agency would also understand what size bus you need, based on luggage requirements (3 six passenger vans, or 1 15 passenger van, won't work for 16 people with luggage).

Hahaha. Maybe the theme of that trip is "how to visit France on your own without using a travel agent"? ;)

Thanks to those who supplied some useful information (and links!) I appreciate it.

To the others, an intelligent travel agent could figure these things out. So too can I.

Gretchen, just to relieve your hypothetical concerns, I AM in contact with SEVERAL travel agencies. I myself would be concerned if I sent my child abroad and I knew the person leading it simply went with whatever an agent said.

I'm sure I remember this same question being asked a couple years ago, and someone listing the names of several companies that specialize in that type of charter bus service. I think I even remember the original poster posting back saying one of them was doing just what they wanted. I just tried to do a search here without success.

Oh, if only the search function here really worked.

Neo -- thanks for the tip. I'll poke around and see what turns up.

I went to Paris/Lyon & environs with 21 customers & wives. After a less than satisfactory attempt with multiple taxis, I asked the hotel to get me a bus. They did & it worked well. So ask your hotel who is local that they would recommend.

Ian

Contact the Paris Tourist Board. They will give you a list of reliable charter bus companies - then email a couple with your specifics and ask for price bids.

Don't use Bee Shuttle. They made us wait an hour last week at the airport, and we had to call twice to find out where they were. We didn't bother using them to go back to the airport. I was afraid I'd miss my flight.

Perhaps your hotel could help you. Even if it costs a little more, if they book it they will be more involved in assuring timely pickups. I would certainly ask.

Nice comeback, ruechapon, but I stand by what I said.

Thanks again for the good and useful help.

Grethchen, I'd expect nothing less.