Jenking

My Husband and I plus our toddler will be staying at ** bis rue du Cardinal Lemoine. We have never been to Paris before and will have about 3 suitcases, 2 carry bags and a stroller. What would be the best way to get to this address from Gare Du Nord. Would like the cheapest option but may also consider most convenient with all that luggage and a child. Thanks

FrenchMystiqueTours

I would go with most convenient (not cheapest) and take a taxi, since you'll be burdened with all that luggage. Walk out front of Gare du Nord and get in the line for taxis.

Jenking

Thanks, do you have any idea what that might cost? Im guessing we might need a van rather than a cab. Are they more expensive?

Would this also be the best way to get from the above address to Orly airport?

StCirq

Take a taxi. The taxi attendant will match you up with an appropriate size vehicle. No, a van won't be any more expensive - they all are on the same meters. And there are plenty of station wagon taxis also.

Yes. Do the same for cab back to Orly. Call Taxi Bleu the night before. Should cost about 30 euros plus the minimal cost to get the cab to your pickup point - maybe 3 or 4 euros.

Why would you have three suitcases for 2 adults and a baby? There will be extra costs for each piece of luggage.

kerouac

That does sound like way too much luggage. You do know of course than anything a toddler could conceivably need is readily available in Paris.

Jenking

Were not going until May and Im just thinking more worst case sceniaro about the amount of luggage thats all.

Avalon2

A taxi will be about 10 E as I recall We took a similar trip a month ago

Cathinjoetown

Unless it has changed, the taxi stand/queue is to the right as you come off the trains, not in front.

Do not acceot offers from touts inside the station, go to the queue. It can be quite long but moves fairly quickly.

Try to lose some of the luggage!

Ackislander

Paris has the most beautiful children's clothing in the world (well, Italy comes close). They also have wonderful toy stores.

Encourage the grandparents hold back on Christmas and birthday presents and give you the cash to buy some really special things.

And the taxi is easy. Just follow the signs in the station and get in the line. It is not short but moves well. Have the address you are going to typed on a piece of paper in case the driver does not understand your French. Do not worry if he seems to take a roundabout route. There are many one-way streets to cope with, and Parisian taxi drivers are not known for cheating.

mamcalice

And, if you need more encouragement than you already have, lose some of the luggage. The amount you plan will make your trip a nightmare!

Christina

Don't be surprised if that costs more than 10 euro. It really depends on time of day and the traffic, if it is bad, that could easily cost at least twice that.

janisj

"<i>Were not going until May and Im just thinking more worst case sceniaro about the amount of luggage thats all</i>"

In May you should need <i>less</i> luggage. No winter coats/clothes. One or two medium sized suitcases and a couple of carry-ons should be more than enough (plus the stroller of course)

PalenQ

In the old words of some sage travel write - "take twice as few clothes and twice as much money"/

janisj

Darn didn't mean to click post.

Since you are taking trains you will also have the hassle of managing/storing the bags/stroller/baby on/off the trains.

Pack as light as you can . . .

ssander

I'm not the most observant guy, but I can't see where you told us how long you'll be staying.

My wife and I bring two overhead rolling carry-ons (~21-inch) and a couple of really small under-seat bags for anywhere from a week to 10 days in Europe.

Though we are in our 60's and our kids all grown, we do appreciate how much "stuff" is needed for a toddler. However, you should be able to get by with only one full-size suitcase and the one rolling overhead - plus some small under-seat bags and your stroller.

...and, of course, take the taxi...Metro would be a nightmare with all that stuff.

SS

Jenking

We are coming from New Zealand and spending Six weeks travelling mostly in Europe. Spending time in San Fran 4 days, England 15days, France 3 days, Italy 16 days, Hong Kong 5 days.

janisj

"<i>We are coming from New Zealand and spending Six weeks travelling mostly in Europe. Spending time in San Fran 4 days, England 15days, France 3 days, Italy 16 days, Hong Kong 5 days.</i>"

All the <i>more</i> reason to pack light. All that traveling around - mostly by public transport, the more schlepping.

The longer the trip doesn't mean you need more luggage. Don't think of it as "SIX WEEKS - OMG we need a ton of stuff!". Think in terms of a 5 or 6 day trip and plan on washing things out when needed and doing serious laundry maybe every 10 days or so.

annhig

We are coming from New Zealand and spending Six weeks travelling mostly in Europe. Spending time in San Fran 4 days, England 15days, France 3 days, Italy 16 days, Hong Kong 5 days.>>

since you can't bring clothes for all that time without washing them at some point, if you plan your laundry stops you really only need enough for a week to 10 days. i would plan to do laundry at the beginning and end of your stay in the UK, and the same in Italy. also you could send some clothes that you may need for the beginning of your trip home by post, which should make life easier - and free up some space in the luggage for all the lovely things you buy.

Why not start working out now exactly what you will need, and where you can plan your launderette stops?

Gretchen

You will really want to cut down on that luggage. Most places do not have porters or even carts for luggage.
Taxi to your hotel--it will be VERY reasonable.
Some places you may be using public transportation from your arrival--and schlepping luggage PLUS a baby through turnstiles, escalators, and stairs will not be easy. Begin to think about that before it confronts you.
It is possible that a baby backpack would be better for you than a stroller.

jkbritt

I get yelled at every time I suggest this but here goes anyway. You have 2 sets of grandparents. Why not leave the little tike with one set for a while and the other set for a while, and do Paris on your own. The child, if an infant/toddler, will remember nothing. You could use this as a second honeymoon so to speak. That way, no trying to find formula, baby food, diapers, etc. it a store that you do not read the language, or God forbid, your child get sick from flying and you have to find Pediatrician.