ironandsilk

I need a reliable taxi to the airport in Paris! I would like to make an appointment to be picked up at an apartment at 4:30 AM.We have had bad experiences before with the shuttle service making us late,one company just didn't show up. They need to have a car with enough room for luggage. How much would it cost?Also we are staying right by the Hilton in Paris, do they have taxis on the stand at 4:30 AM? Please advise!

gracejoan3

I have used this company for many, many trips. They are private and when arriving at the airport they are there with your name on a sign, take your luggage and you are off.They have always arrived for my early departures for pick up. I have given the name to many, many who have been more than satisfied in using them. I have reservations with them for my trip in Dec. and a friend arriving at a differnt time also has her reservations. The only way to go, for me.
http://www.shuttle-inter.com/homepage.htm

StCirq

I always use Taxi Bleu, call them the night before. They've never let me down in dozens and dozens of trips. I really, really doubt you'd find a taxi at a taxi stand at 4:30 am - they're hard enough to find in daylight. It will cost you about 50 euro that time of day.

Christina

I don't know, but my advice from experience is that it would be nuts to count on strolling out to a taxi stand and immediately finding a taxi if you really need to meet a plane.

Last time I was in Paris, I could not get any taxi to pick me up on the morning I needed to leave, calling from an apt. I called a couple companies, plus the general new taxi number for all of Paris, where they transfer it to the nearest station. I believe it goes to the taxi stand closest to where your phone is, and then they will try farther and farther ones if you let them. Even at around 9 am on a weekday, the closest two stations to me never answered, and calling up G7 directly, they would not send a taxi either (said they had none, I should keep trying later, if I wanted). I had backup plans and took the metro/RER. I say long lines of people waiting at the taxi station nearest me during normal hours, and taxis never seemed to come. I read an article in the paper during that stay (which was just Sept/Oct this year), that there is a real shortage of taxis in Paris and sometimes people wait at those stands 45 minutes or more, and often give up.

So that's all I know from my experience, but I don't think this is a place for you to be frugal if you need to get to the airport at a certain time. I would never entirely count on just walking out to taxi stand if I needed to get to the airport without having a backup plan or knowing from observation that there were often taxis there and people got them quickly.

Maybe you are asking about taxis at the Hilton in particular, and that might be better. I have no experience with the Hilton, any hotel I've stayed at has had to call for me to get a taxi, they never just sat around waiting for fares. Maybe they do at the Hilton, why don't you ask them? There is no official taxi stand there like on some street corners or public squares.

Maybe someone knows more than I, but if you are at a hotel, I'd ask them to call a taxi, of course.

ironandsilk

I am inclined to follow gracejoan3's advice. I looked at the web site. It looks great! A question please! This is a private car with no other stops to the airport for 55 Euros?(2 people) It sounds more than reasonable if they are as reliable as you say. I want to thank you for your suggestions! Please let me know if that fare and privacy is correct.

Travelnut

I agree with Christina's comments about finding taxis, even at a taxi stand. We took one (splurged) from the 14th arr this week. We went by two taxi stands at 6:30am, and both had cabs parked with lights off and no driver in sight. We waited at the second one about 10 minutes and a taxi pulled up and we were able to take that one to CDG.

So you either need to contact a taxi company in advance, or use the service Joan mentioned.

djkbooks

Actually, there is a taxi stand at the entrance to the Hilton Paris. Someone will phone for a taxi for you, even if you're not staying there.

At 4:30 AM, the maximum fare should be €50 or less.

You can also call G7 Taxis 01-41-27-66-99 (this is their English speaking number) the day before. They have never let me down and start the meter at the base fare.

gracejoan3

Yes, the fare of 55 euros is correct. I have used them so often, that I am down to 40 euros!! Pretty unbelievable, isn't it!! When/if you e-mail them, just tell them that you have heard about their wonderful service..flattery will get you discounts..if not this time, next time!

Enjoy,

Joan

grandmere

I, too, would follow Joan's advice. I once had the experience of a hotel having difficulty getting me a taxi in the morning for the trip to CDG, although not that early. Once I made arrangements the night before for a taxi, and he never showed up either.

ironandsilk

I just booked my reservation with Gracejoan3's favorite car service.I want thank you all for your good consel.I especially want to thank her! Your experience is just something you can not buy.I feel fortunate to have found such nice people.

gracejoan3

That's what these forums are all about...

Have a good trip....

a bientot..

Joan

gracejoan3

I sent the shuttle service an email and thanked them in advance for taking good care of you! This is what I received by return mail:

Mr Welsh sent us two reservations for December 2008.We confirmed both
reservations & we will take care him & all your friends.We will do our best.

Once again thank you very much for you !

Our new phone number is 00 33 6 98 59 80 00.

See you !

The phone number above is, of course, from the US..if you call when in Paris drop the 33 and add a 0 before the 6.

Have a good trip..

Joan