Shuttle from CDG to Republique
 

Greetings!

I know there is a chance I will be flamed for asking a VERY common question, but I am stumped. Which shuttle is reliable? Has anyone used Blue Shuttle lately? They have a good rate for a family of 4. Any others that you would recommend? We just want an easy trip into the city without a huge cost!

Thanks in advance!

Check Paris shuttle.

The cab fare to Republique isn't too bad; 35 Euros or less. Considering the potential hassle factor that a shuttle entails, that would be my choice.

Flyboy,

Don't Paris taxis accept a maximum of 3 people only? We are 2 adults and 2 kids. What kind of shuttle hassles are you referring to?

Thanks

You can get taxis that will take two adults and two children from CDG without too much difficulty. The hassle factor of a shuttle is that you're looking for a particular driver and vehicle. You may meet up seamlessly. You may have to call upon arrival. You may have to wait. With a taxi, it's there and you're on your way without any coordinating, etc.

Flyboy,

Thanks for the info on the taxis and the shuttle hassle. Made me do a little more research and it seems that most people recommend the taxi route! It also drew my attention to the hotel website, which gave me an estimate of 40 euros for the taxi ride...far cheaper than the shuttle we were considering. We're going for this, as long as the taxis will carry 4 people.

Thanks again for your help!

No problem. I think that at 40 Euros, you may even have your tip covered, depending on the time of day. I've stayed in the Republique area several times and it's a great place to base from. There are great metro connections with 5-6 lines coming into Republique and it's a very active neighborhood.

That old 3-maximum people in a taxi rule is about a decade old at this point. We've been traveling as a family of four for more than 15 years now and I can vouch for the fact that a zillion Parisian taxis are prepared to take 4 or more passengers.

Flyboy and StCirq,

Thanks again for the information. We have been stressing about this...I really did not want to attempt the Metro/RER with luggage AND kids! After seeing your post lastnight, my husband and I felt more certain than ever that a taxi is the way to go!

I'm glad to hear that the 3-person rule is old news!

Republique seems like a perfect location for us. We are really looking forward to seeing this part of Paris. My husband and I have been once before, but this is a first trip for our children. They are very excited and look forward to seeing everything Paris has to offer.

Fodors comes thru again! Thanks to you all!

There is a very nice carrousel in the center area of place Republique and a lot of families with little kids will be around there. I don't know when you're going, but I know it's there in nice weather.

Funny when we were in Paris five years ago and needed taxis for four, it was only possible to get one if specifically ordered. I've read they've since amended the practice.

We are leaving Saturday for one week. We are going to be COLD, but happy!!! I doubt the carousel will be there, but we will be having fun just the same!

Thanks again, for all replies!

Macauchick--Can't wait to hear about your trip. I am staying near Place de Republique the beginning of April. Still trying to decdie on what shuttle company to use.

I'll post for sure about our taxi experience. What hotel are you thinking of?

Macauchick--I have actually rented an apartment on rue Beranger. It is a one bedroom, bathroom w/ a tub AND shower, laptop w/ DSL.....I'm very excited!! Where are you staying?

Just wanted to post an update. Taxi is definitely the way to go. Cost much less than a shuttle and gave us a chance to try out our (poor!) French! We had great drivers both ways and really made our trip so much more fun! We stayed at the Holiday Inn Republique...not the truely unique Paris experience, but a great location. The square was busy every night...there was even a parade our first evening! Not sure for what, but it was fun to watch from the hotel room. Republique is so accessible, 5 metro lines just right outside our hotel. We had a wonderful trip and are looking forward to visiting France again.

Thanks for the update. I've used the Holiday Inn-Paris Republique several times and I'm not surprised to hear that you found it a good choice. It is a very nice property and when you can get a decent rate, it's an especially good value for the money. (Once inside the rooms, it's hard to remember that the building dates back to 1865, isn't it?)

Thanks for the tip about the taxi Macauchick. I arrive the first week of April and am staying in that area....near the Republique. Did you stumble across anything in that area that you feel is a must do/see/eat?

I never understood why people find it possible to get their luggage and kids from their house to the car, from the car to the airplane, and from baggage claim to the taxi or shuttle...

but not from baggage claim to the RER.

It's no less convenient to access than the shuttles and taxis, it gets you downtown in a few minutes, and it's cheaper than anything else, especially if you've got kids. (If they're under 11, €26.80 for the lot.)

It's a 5-minute ride to Republique, and you can stop and regroup after arriving at Gare du Nord and <u>still</u> get to the hotel sooner.

<i>&quot;...people find it possible to get their luggage and kids from their house to the car, from the car to the airplane, and from baggage claim to the taxi or shuttle...&quot;</i>

maybe they are too <i>tired</i> by this time :)

&quot;...maybe they are too <i>tired</i> by this time...&quot;

But that's a constant. Getting your entourage to, and boarding, a shuttle, Air France bus, taxi, or RER all require the same amount of energy. Ditto getting off at the other end.

With a taxi or door-to-door shuttle, of course, you're done at that point, whereas on Air France or RER, you have another leg to go. Each person can decide whether avoiding that is worth the premium.

If you want the best of all worlds, take the train to GdN and a taxi from there (although the trip to Republique <u>is</u> already paid for...)

As a guy who has hung around Place de la Republic and environs approximately forever, I'm delighted to hear some other folks know that there are Paris arrondissements higher (in every sense of the word) than No. 7. Have a great stay!

Dave, perhaps we should put together the first annual &quot;Fodors Place de Republique Get-Together&quot; the last weekend of February for the purpose of prying people out of the lower-numbered districts.

Sunday, 3 p.m. at the Cafe Coca?

That sounds great, but could you post the address (or at least an approximation?) I don't think I've been there in the past and it's not ringing a bell for me. I'll put up a separate posting for other Fodorites as soon as I have the details (Sunday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m., Cafe Coca -- so far!)

'Scuse me, but I don't want to pry people out of the lower arrondissements! Leave us 'boonies' alone :O

Refining that proposed rendez-vous: Cocoa Cafe, 3 ave. de la Republic. I'll phone tomorrow to be sure they're open on Sunday. Travelnut: I share your sentiment to a certain extent, but don't all those folks cooped up in that great museum without a turnstyle -- a.k.a the 5th and 6th arrondissements -- deserve a little pity and a little help?

I just do what I want since it's my money, but I do find getting to and on and dealing with the RER more trouble than walking straight out the door and getting in a taxi which drops you at your hotel. I would think more trouble with several youngsters in tow and perhaps a bunch of peraphernalia.

Anyway, the RER doesn't go to Republique so it can't be five minutes to there. Even to the closest RER stop near Republique, which would be Gare du Nord probably, is about 30 minutes train time according to RATP. And then you'd have to transfer or take a cab or something.

Take the taxi in, and once familiar with Paris public transportation you might decide to take the RER out.

Very good. I have a fix on it near the intersection of rue Malt and Avenue de la Republique. Hopefully we can get a few Fodorites to join us and I'll place a separate posting for that. See everyone at 3 p.m. this coming Sunday.

Read my lips:

CDG to Gare du Nord (40 minutes via RER).

Gare du Nord to R&eacute;publique (5 minutes via Ligne 5).

Total cost: &euro;26.80 (no tip)

Obviously, if you could have a limo waiting for you, it would be far more convenient. It just depends on how much convenience each of us is willing to pay for.