Shuttle from CDG to Paris
 

This must have been asked before, how long is the ride from CDG airport to Paris--the 1st arrondisement near the Louvre if going by shuttle or taxi?

What is the best shuttle service? Most realiable?

If we were to take the Roissybus, how long would that take?

Your use of "we" suggests there are at least two of you. In that case, a taxi is your best bet. Shared shuttles are a roll of the dice because you never know how many others will need to be dropped off where, and the cost approaches that of a taxi. Also, with a taxi there is no problem if your flight arrives early or late - you just walk out the door to the taxi queue, wait time is minimal. Transit time will depend on hour of day/traffic but should be less than an hour.

I use Shuttleinter . This is not a shared shuttle , it is a private car. The problem with taxis is , they can get stuck in traffic and the meter keeps running. Our last trip the was an accident on the periferique and we were stalled for at least 15 minutes. But since we were paying a set price, 55 euro as I recall, there was no meter running. And that is approzimately what taxi fare would be. I've had the time from the 6th as low as 20 minutes at 6 AM to closer to 40 at rush hour

Roissey bus took an hr at about 8-9 a.m. Driver
accepts the money & will make change if necessary.
And the pick-up spot was easy to locate.

They will all take roughly the same amount of time--taxi, bus, shuttle. As someone suggested, if there are two of you the taxi would be VERY advantageous, particularly, in my opinion, if this is a first time. It will take you door to door, you don't have to worry about calling the shuttle (at CDG), and you don't have to worry about getting from the Roissy bus stop to your hotel.
Print out your hotel address with a little map (from Maporama or Mapquest), go to the taxi queue, and the man will get you a cab. Give it to the driver. It will be about 50E for everything--small charge for bags and probably the tip. Even if this seems like a little splurge (it never is for us!! and we are budget travellers), it starts your trip relatively stress free.
Do NOT accept a taxi ride from anyone who approaches YOU--only Taxi Parisien on the light on the cab.

With Shuttle-Inter , you do not have to cal. They are waiting right outside of customs with a sign with your name.They take your luggage and stow it in the car and then you are on your way

Here is a recent thread with a similar question which illustrates the variety of opinions on the matter. Look for Michel_Paris' post somewhere in the middle which offers good info on several options. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...aris-hotel.cfm

For a first-timer to Europe, with luggage, jetlag and a language barrier I'd opt for walking right out the door and catching a taxi or hiring a private shuttle.

Take a look at this site: http://www.conciergerie.com/paris_in...ion/taxi.shtml

Carol L

There will be 4 of us. Spouse wants to use the Roissybus since we are staying near the Louvre area and where the bus drops off at the opera is not that far (about 1 mi). But, I read that the bus sometimes has to circle the airport to pick up other passengers at different terminals and it may not be convenient time wise. Also not sure if we would be able to get a taxi at the Opera conveniently.

I am opting more for a private shuttle but the reviews on some are just not great--the fact they don't show up is a concern. I want a very reliable service that will be there for us when we arrive. I have a senior in my group and want what will be most convenient. I appreciate all your comments.

If there are 4 of you, even MORE reason to take a taxi, because it will likely cost less than any private shuttle. There are vans and station wagons, all legit Taxis Parisiens, right at the taxi line, and you'll be directed to one that will fit all 4 of you and your luggage. It should take just under an hour on a normal weekday in the morning. It is "very reliable" because there is always a long line of legitimate taxis waiting there.

There is a major taxi stand right on the Place de l'Opéra, so no worries about getting back. Also, any hotel will call you a taxi, or you can do it yourself. It costs a few euro to come pick you up, but well worth it.

<<I want a very reliable service that will be there for us when we arrive ... want what will be most convenient.>>

Then take a taxi; there is a queue right outside the terminal. You pay for the ride, not the number of people. There is a small charge for luggage but I doubt that the cost will be much, if any,higher than a shuttle fee for four.

I've used Yellow Shuttle and was satisfied, but did have to call when I arrived and then waited for about ten minutes.

You won't save much, if any money by taking the Roissybus with four passengers and it will almost certainly take longer and be less convenient. The bus is more appropriate when there is just one passenger due to cost savings vs taking a taxi or private shuttle.

If your most important consideration is convenience and you're worried about a private shuttle not showing up a taxi is the way to go. I've never had to wait long in the line to get one large enough to haul four people.

We have used a variety of transportation options, including taxis',shared shuttles and private shuttles.

On our last trip, we used the private shuttle called Shuttle Inter. They were not there as promised when we arrived, and it took several phone calls before they showed up. I wasn't thrilled, but they did get us to our apt. When we arrived there, we reconfirmed with the driver for our return trip, and then during the week I reconfirmed via email just to be sure. The day we were leaving they were a no show. Good thing we were only a few blocks from the Place de Opera taxi stand. BTW, there were always taxis there. We had to use them a lot as I took a bad fall on our trip and walking was limited. Anyway, a taxi was there at 5:30am, which saved us from missing our flight. The cost was 39 euro, so much cheaper than the shuttle would have been. Granted, it was early in the morning so not a lot of traffic.

We have also used Yellow Van, which is a shared shuttle, and they were fine. I have read some not so great views on them though, so you would need to make your own decision.

With four of you taxi is hands down your best option. The 34.40 fare for the four of you is close to what a taxi would cost, you do not have to wait for the next bus or ride through the terminals, and you are dropped at the door without having to walk from Opera schlepping your bags while you search for your hotel. A minivan taxi will accommodate four and there are many of them available at CDG.

I also think you should just take a taxi. Don't assume any taxi is going to be thrilled to take you one mile in Paris -- they could refuse. Yes, I know it may not be legal, but they aren't going to like it much.

It takes about 45 minutes from the airport to the city in my experience, on average. Even when I've gone in extremely light traffic, it's never been less than 30 minutes. I think it's about 12-15 miles, after all.

For 4 it is an absolute no brainer to take a taxi. It is all split up, takes you door to door, and they are readily available in the taxi queue. It will be less than the bus, and certainly less than the shuttle.

thrilled to take you one mile in Paris

After a certain hour they are delighted to take you just around a corner, there is a minmum fee.

If you have 4 people's worth of luggage, a van might be better than taxi? Are there taxi vans??

Yes, as I noted above there are LOTS of taxi vans. I've been driven into Paris alone in them. The guy with the whistle at the taxi line will always match you up with a taxi big enough to handle your group.

This is good info. just planning a trip for March.

StCirq has "hit the nail on the head" by mentioning the guy with the whistle at the taxi line. You don't have to do anything but walk out and get in line. They will find the taxi that fits your group. I always print out the hotel address on a note card to show them. The driver will load your luggage for you.

Hi, I live in Paris and can tell you that those suggesting a taxi are correct, especially for 4 people. I rent an apartment here, and the visitors who take that advice are ever so thankful they did, and those who do not generally express regret.

p.s. For two people, Avalon is correct that a private shuttle can be good if you want a fixed rate. A taxi can be more or less than that, depending on traffic, although on average they are less.

Sorry StCirq, I missed your line about the taxi vans!

we used Grey Shuttle. 5 persons, 79 Euro. Jean-Michel is professional and friendly. Great booking response. Precise direction. Our flight was delayed for 2 hours but he waited for us inside CDG at the destined exit. Return trip is right on time.
Travel time depends on traffic. It took us an hour in heavy traffic Dec 22 CDG to Paris and 30 minutes on Jan 1 01 Paris to CDG.

Eric,

What time did you come in on Dec 22? Did you have to pay a deposit for the shuttle company or did they take a reservation without a deposit? Thanks.

We stayed in Paris last summer and I have to admit that I was a bit afraid to take my kids to the suburban train for CDG.

The concierge of our hotel advised us to call Paris Shuttle Transfer. They gave us the possibility to take a private or a shared shuttle; we took the shared one, much cheaper.

We traveled in a nice Volkswagen shuttle, it was clean and the driver was able to speak a bit of English, which is not common in Paris…

We've used both a shuttle and taxi. We now only use a taxi TO the airport because we don't have to leave as early. With a shuttle they must have time to pick up other travelers.

Price for a taxi in October was 50 euro including a couple for the bags and tip. That may have been a bit lower than normal since we breezed right out.

Shuttles run about 40 for two, so there's not a lot of savings.

Eurocentric, your post definitely helped!

is a shuttle or taxi the most convenient way? i was thinking of taking the RER to the nearest station (i will be on rue cambon) and taking a taxi from there, not sure of how much that will cost.

is that worth the hassle or should i just take a taxi from cdg? there will be 2 of us.

also, i will be taking the eurostar to london when i depart. which will be the best way to get to the station from rue cambon?

<<is a shuttle or taxi the most convenient way?>>

Taxi is the most convenient -- you walk out the door, get in a taxi and are delivered to your hotel, but perhaps not the cheapest. You might save 10 or so euros using a shuttle, but may also have to wait and share with other people, but you may not mind that.

asdfghjkl,

Here are some options for your consideration:

Take the RER B from CDG to Gare du Nord. Transfer to Metro line 4 and take it to Strasbourg - Saint-Denis. Transfer to Metro line 8 and take it to either Madeleine or Concord, whichever is closer to your hotel. Fare: 8.50 EUR.

Take the Roissybus non-stop from CDG to Opera (9.10 EUR). Take Metro line 8 to either Madeleine or Concord (1.60 EUR)

Take the Roissybus to Opera and a taxi from there to your hotel.

Take the RER B from CDG to Chatelet-Les Halles (8.50 EUR) and a taxi from there to your hotel.

To get from your hotel to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar take Metro line 8 from either Concord or Madeleine to Strasbourg - Saint-Denis and Metro line 4 from there to Gare du Nord.

Unless I was on a severe budget I'd take the taxi. Keep in mind that Paris train/Metro stations have lots of stairs and few escalators. And it can be quite a hike between connections.

Of above options (besides taxi) I like Roissybus to Opera and then taxi to your hotel or apartment.

Here's one more option for getting from your hotel to Gare du Nord for the Eurostar. Take bus #42 directly from either Concord or Madeleine to Gare du Nord (no transfers).

For The least expensive and with the best views find the exit for the Air France Bus Port Mailot.....from there you will have a scenic taxi ride to your hotel. Easy...Buy the ticket at the bus outside at the airport. You sit up high and can view all and relax...no extra tips for bags etc..they put the luggage in compartments from the outside.
Have fun.

I took the metro/RER when we stayed on the Ile de la Cite - it wouldn't be that difficult for you especially if you are staying near the Louvre. It's a short walk - less then a mile.

I didn't list the Air France bus as an option because it is more expensive than the Roissybus. AF bus #2 goes from CDG to Porte Maillot and then to Etoile. (Etoile is closer to rue Cambon). The fare is 15 EUR.

thank you all so much for the options! let me digest the info first :)

Do you REALLY want to troop ANY luggage a MILE????????

It sort of confounds me that I usually have to beat my friends over the head while repeating the mantra "Take the taxi", "Take the taxi," "Take the taxi." Most eventually take my advice--or maybe they're just relenting--and then say things like, "You know, I don't know why I was considering anything else. That was so EASY."

I think they supposed it wouldn't be easy or that since they couldn't speak French they wouldn't get there or that they "heard" (usually the person they "heard" that from has never been to CDG) there was a huge taxi line at CDG, or that they heard there were no taxis large enough in all of France to accomodate them.

Like so many others above, I am frugal, frugal, frugal. But when I am jetlagged, I want a no-brainer way to get us (AND OUR LUGGAGE) to our Paris hotel. Yeah, we've been stuck in traffic and had to pay a bit more sometimes, and sometimes traffic has been light and it's been dirt cheap. Who cares? Comparing the cost of a possible taxi delay to the cost of a shuttle for four persons will show you we're talking only a few Euros more (and perhaps still less!).

What's important to me is thatI'm not languishing on a CDG sidewalk waiting for the darn van OR waiting in the van while the other persons taking the shuttle show. Or I'm not lugging my case up and down Metro connections in a blind fog.

Now on the way BACK to the airport, we can talk about other options (you are awake, alert, and pretty sure of your bearings by then). In the meantime, TO your hotel from CDG: TAKE THE TAXI.

<<Like so many others above, I am frugal, frugal, frugal. But when I am jetlagged, I want a no-brainer way to get us (AND OUR LUGGAGE) to our Paris hotel.>>

I'm frugal too but am willing to spend the money for a door-to-door taxi when I arrive.

I don't get the idea of taking a bus to to the Opera area and then taking a taxi a short distance when there will be four people and luggage.

Getting a taxi van at the airport is no problem, but at the Opera? Maybe, maybe not. They may end up hauling their luggage for a mile.