Luisah, I guess what frustrates me (and to the original poster, I'm not frustrated with you) is that there are so very many ways to save money on a vacation throughout your trip, but there are only a few ways to get your trip off to a good start.

One friend got robbed on the train in (newbie + jetlag + no hands free = easy pickings), another's husband severely strained his back lifting luggage up the inevitable non-operable escalators in the Metro correspondances, and another friend's shuttle never showed. Each of them were astounded that these things could have happened--and I was equally astounded that they still hadn't figured out that if they had just taken one--and only one!--darn taxi, their trips would have been entirely different.

AllessandraZoe (love the name)
I understand perfectly and agree. On my first trip back to Paris after a several year absence, my daughter and I decided to be "frugal" and take the RER. What a nightmare!

I won't go into the details but we started by getting on the wrong train, having to transfer twice, walk up and down endless stairs hauling our luggage, then walk about a half mile to the hotel. It took hours and we were exhausted.

When it was time to go home I said "we're taking a taxi," my daughter protested the cost, and I said I'm taking a taxi, take the RER if you want or come along with me." Of course she went with me and enjoyed the door to airport ride.

I've taken taxis since on every trip but one, (shuttle) but think one of these day when I'm traveling light, I'll take the RER to the airport, but not from; I'm always too tired for that when I arrive.