Fenima

Firstly, thanks a million to all on the forum who have helped us make our trips to Tuscany and Provence a whole lot easier.This is my first post. Can you help me with transport from near Marais to Gare De Lyon station at 6.15am in the morning on the 2nd May 2006. We are staying in an apartment, do not have a car and want to ensure we are early enough to catch the TGV to Avignon at 7.30am (Have tickets purchase in Aus already. We do not want to go by train and have had no luck with private limo services as most do not start untill 7.00am. There are 4 of us with lots of luggage. The owner of the apartment suggested we pre-book a taxi the night prior to departure. But after reading lots of posts I am not sure of the reliability. Any help would be welcome. Thanks.

MorganB

Not sure what other options there are...

Metro
Bus
Taxi

Thats about it. I dont think shuttle service runs within the city and I dont see see an advantage of a shuttle to a taxi really.

Gretchen

As your apartment owner said, pre-book a taxi. If you have a LOT of luggage, either make it clear to the taxi that you do--and 4 people--or get two cabs. It won't be that much for that distance. Taxis do take 4 people--there is a surcharge for the 4th person (they aren't ripping you off) and for each piece of luggage (small--0.80&euro. If there is a taxi stand near your apartment you might go there and arrange it. I think there is a company called Cars Bleu. Maybe you can ask the apartment owner to do this for you.

ira

Hi F,

>There are 4 of us with lots of luggage. The owner of the apartment suggested we pre-book a taxi the night prior to departure.<

The owner has given you good advice.

Plan on arriving about 0:30 hr before departure time. The Gare de Lyon is a large station.

Robespierre

Parisian taxis (and shuttles, for that matter) are notoriously unreliable, and it sounds very much like you don't have a Plan B. I would use the Métro as backup, in the following way:

1) Send your excess luggage ahead the previous evening using the SNCF's door-to-door service. Keep with you only what you can comfortably schlep through the Métro. Note: commuter traffic will not be an issue at that hour.

2) Schedule the taxi at such a time that if it doesn't appear on schedule, you still have time to get to Gare de Lyon by Métro. Get your tickets before the day to eliminate the potential of a snag in that regard.

http://www.tgv.com/FR/services/bagages/domicile.htm

Fenima

Thank you all for the good advice. Luv the forum.

StCirq

I have to take issue with the statement that taxis are "notoriously unreliable." I have called or had my hotel call a Taxi Bleu for every single early morning ride from Paris to CDG for the past, oh, 15 years or so, 2-4 times a year and never had a problem.

Robespierre

<b>The plural of <i>anecdote</i> is <i>data</i>.</b>

You don't have to search very far through this forum to find numerous stories of people whose taxis and shuttles didn't show up.

If it never happened to you, <i>mazel tov</i>. I've never been in a plane crash, but I understand it happens to some.

If Fenima misses the train to Avignon, it could cost a bunch.

Intrepid1

I agree with pre-booking at least one taxi, and possibly two if you have a lot of bulky luggage.

As I recall when you &quot;call&quot; for a taxi in Paris the meter starts running the wheels start rolling; not sure if this is the case when you book one in advance.

I'd be most concerned that if you order one it will not have enough room for all the luggage.

The Gare de Lyon isn't all that far from the area in which you will be staying.

Gretchen

Agree with St. Cirq. Shuttles, yes. Not reliable in some cases. Taxis show up.

StCirq

I can't recall ever reading a post on Fodor's or anywhere about a taxi not showing up - but that of course would have been anecdotal anyway.

I've read loads of posts about shuttles not showing up - equally anecdotal.

Robespierre

Precisely. My point is that it <i>can</i> happen.

canterbury

We've only been in Paris three times but have never had a problem getting a taxi. Usually, we get one just outside our hotel (even early AM it was possible). The ones that we had arranged in advance arrived on time. I'm sure there have been occasional problems - just wanted to put in my two cents that we've never experienced anything but excellent service.

StCirq

Right....and the RATP CAN be on strike, too....

Robespierre

<i>Bien s&ucirc;r.</i> But they usually give fair [fare] warning.