I will be arriving at Gare de Lyon around 9:00pm. I am little hesitant about taking a taxi alone at night. I have heard horror stories about being kidnapped/raped. What is an alternate mode of transportation other than city bus or metro? I need to get to rue verneuil from gare de lyon. Am I being paranoid? Please help.

nichol: Slow down, please. <BR>The taxi is the best solution, unless you are very familiar with public transportation in Paris. There is definitely no need to worry at all. Please do forget about those horror stories. You will be just fine and much safer than in the metro or the bus with all your luggage. The taxi will drop you in front of your hotel and that's it. <BR>Have fun in Paris and please relax!

Dear Paranoid<BR><BR>Yes<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Actually, the safest place to be in Paris is probably in a taxi. In Paris, as in London, to be a taxi driver is a professional occupation, not something you do between visits to your parole officer.

Oh my, oh my. Please avoid at all costs all taxis in Paris. You are certain to be drugged, beaten, raped, and dumped along side the road. All Paris taxi drivers are evil criminals, intent on beating the tar out of all Americans and anyone else that does not speak fluent French. You will be locked in the car and taken to the remote suburbs where you will be slapped silly until you give up all your Euros. Then, if you are lucky, you will be dumped out. If you are unlucky you will be beaten with a large loaf of French bread until you beg for mercy. Please do not ever use a taxi in Paris. Now, what should you use? Well, if you think the taxis are bad wait until you use a bus. You will be surrounded by an angry mob of French housewives and will be beaten with their handbags until you scream for mercy. Of, they are a bad bunch of ladies. I think perhaps you will be better off staying home where you are safe. The streets of Paris are just too dangerous for someone like you. DO NOT GO!!!

Hi<BR>I've traveled to Paris solo and I've never felt that I couldn't take a taxi at night. I can't imagine where you read "horror stories" about Paris, but statistically it's a very safe place. No pipe bombs in mailboxes or that sort of thing.<BR>If you are still fearful, or just for the convenience, you could arrange for a car service to meet you.<BR>recommended by Fodor’s posters March 2001:<BR>Baron's Limousine Service, a fleet of cars and drivers for very reasonable prices. <BR>E-mail: [email protected]<BR>

Yeah, all the taxi drivers are Middle-Eastern, and we all know how THOSE people are.<BR><BR>There, you happy, Troll? You the same "person" who replied to a question about Italy with a comment on Paris taxi drivers? Go stir up trouble in homeroom.

FYI-I found the website for Baron Limousines and they are out of business now.

My sister and I took the Chunnel from London and arrived in Paris at Gare Du Nord around 11:00pm. There were plenty of taxis, as well as people waiting for them, and I never felt that we were in any danger. You should be fine. Have a great trip!

Our taxi driver was a sweet young woman who would have had a hard time "taking out" any of us American females. I love people who tell others "horror stories." Did you see the documentation for these?

Paris taxis are (in my experience) uniformly nice cars with pleasant drivers. Rates are reasonable. <BR><BR>Paris taxis are nicer than ANY taxi I've ever taken in the U.S. (not counting livery/limo services). I've never felt uncomfortable taking a taxi at any time in Paris, and given that nichol is presumably going to be hauling some luggage with him/her off the train, a taxi would be the easiest option.

Maybe I am perhaps little paranoid, Mr. or Miss SMART. My aunt was a rape victim and I will never forget how her life changed. I have taken many solo trips and have used common sense and wit. I think its normal to be little nervous about being in a strange place and I don't understand why I have to be riduculed by Mr. or Miss SMART being cautious.

Nichol<BR><BR>Hi<BR><BR>If you've read the comments, and are still nervous, it may be best to stay home.<BR><BR>You obviously have preconceived ideas that will make the trip a nightmare<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR>

Gentlemen, perhaps you have never understood that women tend to have a heightened sense of caution, especially when traveling alone (in Paris or just down the street to the grocery store). It is not incorrect for Nichol to ask this question, especially if having never visited Paris or used their taxis. All she needs to know is- will there be availability of taxies to take her safely to her hotel late at night? The ladies above seem to indicate this is the case, and did it politely. Thank you.