Taxi versus metro from paris airport
 

My hotel in Paris has arranged for a "shuttle" (is that a taxi?) from the airport to the hotel for 34 euros. Is that a normal rate? IOr is it easy enough to do the metro instead? My hotel is the Hotel Central St. Germain (in St. Germain/Latint quarter). I'll have jetlag (overnight flight arrive Park 7:30 am), so the shuttle might be worth the money. Any comments?

Hi minerva,

A shuttle is a private service that picks up 6-8 people and drops them off at their hotels. It is not a taxi.

34E for one person is high for a shuttle.

www.beeshuttle.com or www.parishuttles.com

will take you to your hotel for about 18E.

The RER/metro is cheaper, about 10E, but if this is your first trip, I suggest the shuttle.

Is that for just you or two of you or what? It is VERY expensive for a shuttle for one--unless it is also RT in which case for one person it is a good price and arrangement. The Metro is not all that easy to manage luggage and particularly (since you are asking) if you have never done it before. A taxi will cost in the neighborhood of 40-50E one way. It is simple, direct. The shuttle may stop at other stops but it will do the job.
Shuttles are usually in the neighborhood of 17-24E one way/person.,

Well, now we see from your other question that there are two of you. A taxi will not be that much more than the 34E for the two of you. We always prefer a taxi.

Any hints on getting a taxi at the airport? Are there taxi stands outside the terminals? Reputable and non-reputable carriers?

No, there is only one person. Me. And it is basically my first trip to Paris. (I went once before for a weekend only -- my first trip to Europe -- but it was many years ago and I had no idea what I was doing! And I was with a friend who'd lived in Paris, so. . . didn't navigate anything myself that trip.) Thanks for your reply. I'm going to cancel the shuttle if I can and book the cheaper one.