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.