Taxi vs. RER from CDG: Pros and Cons?
 

OK, I've actually done my research, so now I'd like to hear your opinions. We arrive CDG at 8:10 a.m., Sunday morning, after a flight from SFO. DW actually is talking about taking the RER to our apt. in the 6th, equidistant from the Mabillon and St. Germain metros. Oh, and we're taking our two children, 9 and 11.

So that's 31 Euro for the train, plus another 5 or so Euro for the Metro, unless we feel up for walking the 1/2 mile or so from the St. Michel RER station (I don't think so!).

Most posts I've seen mention around 45 Euro for a taxi ride from CDG to Central Paris, and that sounds right based on past experience, especially on a Sunday morning.

I like the concept of acting the local immediately upon arrival and taking the train... except perhaps after a 16 hour odyssey (changing planes in Toronto) with luggage.

I'd love to hear from you guys pro and con. Thanks.

I think you already know what you should do... grab a cab!

It cost us 45 euros from CDG to
Ile St Louis this past summer.

Could the 3 of us have done it cheaper by RER and metro? Likely we could have saved a couple of euros. But it would have taken more time and been much more of a hassle after hours on a cramped transatlantic flight.

Taking trains and metros when you're
tired and in what may be a strange city while hauling luggage and watching out for 2 children is not the way to arrive in Paris!

Early on a Sunday morning you'll have little traffic so take the taxi.

Rob

Definitely take a taxi or shuttle. After you're settled in your apartment, you can hop onto the metro!

The RER ticket is also valid for the métro.

To round out your 'portfolio' of options, you also have the Roissybus shuttle,Air France bus, and other point ot point shuttles

The first two have drop off points near Metro stops.

For a Sunday morning, I'd say take a cab.

exactly, the RER connects to the metro underground, so you don't pay any more to transfer to the metro to then get to Mabillon or wherever.

You know all the facts and have been there yourself, it appears, so you just have to make up your mind. But the taxi might cost a bit more than 45 euro, so if you are basing your opinion on that as the maximum possible taxi fee, don't do that. Maybe it will be, just don't assume that is a fact. Also, a lot of people who quote fares may not be aware that they vary by day of the week and/or time. They are higher on Sunday, for example. I do think 45 euro is likely, but you seem to be counting every euro.

I wouldn't even consider taking the RER/metro in your case (having to transfer and with two kids). For what? You think at the most you can save maybe 15-20 euro for your whole family? Is that really worth it to you?

That being said, if luggage is not a problem, and you want to be a bit adventurous and 'local', one of the other options might be fun. People tend ot think it's complicated or a lot of stairs, but that't not always correct. I think you can manage.

At some point on the trip you are going to have to learn to manage the Metro.

I've taken everything but a taxi on my trips to Paris :)

Yesterday's taxi strike and the collapse of the government position also produced the promise of another rise in taxi rates. So you can add another 10% or 15% to what you think a taxi will cost.

Of course, if you are talking about <b>next</b> Sunday morning, the rates will not have been increased by then...

I don't understand why taking the RER is &quot;acting the local.&quot; Loads of tourists take the RER/metro. Loads of locals take taxis.

On a Sunday morning, I'd definitely take a cab.

I was in Paris for my first visit this past October and used the Roissybus to the Opera and took the Metro to the 5th arrondisment. It was easy and about 18E for the shuttle per person. That said I am returning next month for just a few nights and have had the following recommended by the owner of the rental apartment. It is about the same price as the shuttle/ metro combo
www.airport-connection.com

I was on a Paris trip this past weekend and brought my 25 year old son. He could not ride in the crew van to the hotel so took the RER to the hotel. On Sundays, it is on a different schedule so he arrived alot later than I thought-going back on Tuesday with more trains was easier and faster.
If you have two kids with you and luggage-just grab a cab.

My OP does make it look like we're pinching centimes, doesn't it? Is that a saying - centime wise, euro foolish? Are they even called centimes now?

Anyway, thanks for the comments, even St.Cirq's parsing analysis :)

I can't imagine not taking the taxi, and I'm pretty sure the trip will take the starch out of DW's sails. But one of my goals on this trip is to not be the control freak I tend to be (except for finally getting to the Musee Picasso on my 5th try - an increasingly bizarre series of events have conspired to keep me out thus far!), so if the family wants to take the train, let's do it!

Thanks again, and feel free to chime in with any other thoughts.

TAXI.

No question. End of story.
Period!

:-)

Best, Dave

And the RER will be empty and not subject to any freak accidents on the freeway.

:)

End of story.

Try this - the RER is a bit like &quot;cattle car&quot; environment, while a taxi is more like &quot;limousine&quot; environment.(I don't mean fancy, just private and quick). The &quot;scenery&quot; from the RER is completely UNinspiring, typical industrial-type parts of each town it stops in.

If your wife is a nervous rider, be sure to have her close her eyes b/c those drivers are <i>determined</i> to get you there fast. The kids will love it (I do).

There is no right or wrong answer. It's a personal thing. I have been taking the RER/Metro for many years and would never consider a taxi or shuttle service. The RER/Metro is fast, cheap and on Sunday not at all crowded so luggage handling is much easier. Any RER ticket to Paris includes any Metro transfer to anywhere within Paris zones 1 and 2 which covers the entire city. Then again there are the stairs and some amount of luggage schlepping. If money doesn't matter and you want the easiest trip after your very long flight by all means do the taxi or shuttle service. Nothing is easier than a taxi.

Have a great time in Paris.
Larry J

From my perspective, it's all about the &quot;schlep&quot; factor . . . . are you up for dealing with 2 kids and however much luggage you'll have and getting on/off the RER (only a couple steps) and then managing to drag your bags down the street?

If the answer is yes, then by all means, opt for the more economical choice and take the RER.

By the way, it's easy enough to decide which transport option to take once you've actually landed and are gathering your stuff from baggage claim.

We arrive with 20 and 18 year olds on a Monday morning around 9:30am. Our apartment is in the 2nd about two blocks from the Sentier Metro stop. Would the same recommendations apply? How is road traffic and fullness of trains at that hour. We've never been to Paris, so it will all be an experience!

The 20 and 18 year olds can be your beasts of burden. Take the RER.