Lenore1

I will be arriving at CDG this July on a Swiss Airlines flight from Zurich and need to get to the Marriott Rive Gauche, 17 Boulevard St. Jacques, in the 14th Arrondisment. My research is indicating that taking the Air France shuttle is probably the easiest way to do this transfer. Has anyone had experience with this shuttle? Would you recommend it? Can anyone answer these questions for me?:
1. Where at CDG does one get this shuttle?
2. Does it stop in all the terminals?
3. Where, in the 14th arrondisment does it stop?
4. Is there a taxi stand at the stop or is it close enough to the hotel to walk?
Thanks in advance for your advice and assistance.

Cilla_Tey

Check viator.com for a private transfer at a reasonable rate with someone holding your name.

ggreen

Yes you're correct that the Air France shuttle is a good option for getting to the 14th arr., especially for a first-timer, and I would certainly recommend it if it looks like it will work for you.

The Air France shuttle ("Cars Air France" in French) is clearly marked in the airport terminals.

The bus that will take you to the 14th arr. makes only 2 stops after CDG: Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse (the latter being the 14th). Gare Montparnasse is a major transit nexus, and I'd assume there is a taxi stand there.

This page has some good information (if not the best layout!):
http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/air-f...le-service.htm

Sarastro

Information on the AF buses may be found here:

http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/

Montparnasse is the second stop on line #4. A one-way ticket purchased from the driver is 17€. You can take a taxi to your hotel from Montparnasse, cost will be approximately 10€-12€. The walk will be about ¾ mile.

Alternatively, you could take the RER to Denfer-Rochereau which is halfway between Montparnasse and your hotel. Cost is 9.25€

If you are not traveling alone, particularly if you are traveling with two other people, a taxi directly from a baggage claim exit to your hotel's front doorsteps will be fast and cheaper than most other options - about 55€ to 60€.

Lenore1

Thank you for your replies. The RER is actually very close to the hotel. I was concerned, however, about pulling luggage up and down staris. That is why I thought the bus might be easier. Does anyone know if one can get on the RER at CDG withour stairs and can one get off at the Denfert-Rochereau without stairs? That would also be the cheapest.

MaineGG

The Air France bus is very easy to use. You can purchase and print your ticket online (and get a 10% discount).

For full information in English:
http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/en.html

Bianca_P

There are normally plenty of lifts and escalators. The stations have to have them due to disability regulations. I think it's only the very small stations where you won't find them, which isn't what you're talking about here. I have never had any trouble getting my luggage around whenever I've travelled to or from the Eurostar station or the airport. For that reason, I'd be fine with the RER. I find the AirFrance shuttle prices to be extortionate and the journey time is often so unreliable (due to traffic) compared to the RER.

AlessandraZoe

You can certainly get on the RER at CDG without stairs. Let me check on the Denfert-Rochereau stop, though.

AlessandraZoe

OK--I checked. Denfert-Rochereau has elevators and maybe even an escalator. I always use caution by saying,"Hey, elevators and escalators are often broken," but since you're not switching lines, etc, I think you can deal with that eventuality.

To get to Paris by RER from CDG's Terminal One:
http://www.about-paris.com/trains-pa...terminal-1.htm

To get to Paris by RER from CDG's Terminal Two:
http://www.about-paris.com/trains-pa...terminal-2.htm

ggreen

Just keep in mind that the RER is not an airport shuttle: it's a major mode of transportation for Paris and environs. Meaning, there isn't a designated place to put your luggage, and unless you're traveling light, there's a good chance your bags will be in the way, especially when the train gets near Paris and begins to fill up. Stops in stations are not very lengthy, and you have to be prepared to get yourself and your luggage off in a very timely manner. (If you've ever been on in the subway system in a place like NYC, it's not dissimilar.)

Sarastro

Unlike the older metro stations, all of the RER stations have escalator/elevator service.

Lenore1

Thank you, GGreen, for your advice. Although I like the idea of the RER, my friend and I, two ladies "of a certain age", decided that for ease with the luggage, we will take the AirFrance shuttle bus and then a taxi.

ggreen

Lenore1, I'm glad to be of help!

In the past, I always took the RER from the airport. And always stressed about the things I mentioned (even though I've been riding the Paris subway periodically since I was a teen!). These days, I prefer the bus: for me, a nice compromise between taxi and train, especially after whatever it took me to reach Paris. I like that it's a comfortable coach bus, the luggage is handled for you underneath, and you can relax a bit until your stop!

Once you've left your luggage at your hotel and freshened up, you'll be ready to enjoy your time in Paris - and I'm sure that riding the Metro and RER will be very useful in that regard.

Then, if/when it's time for you to return to CDG, you'll have had experience with the train and can decide if you want to take the RER to the airport, or repeat with the bus. The RER is rather easier in the reverse direction, since CDG is the last stop! (You just need to make sure you board an RER B indicated for the airport.)

Christina

Denfert is an older station and it is not as huge as many of them (good points), but there is some walking and stairs no matter what. I don't know if there is any station where you can do everything by escalator or elevator (the closest are some on the newer E line), but I know that isn't one of them and the hotel isn't right at the Denfert RFER station, anyway, but several blocks away, or you'd have to transfer on the metro and all of that isn't worth the trouble often. I don't like the RER that much for airport travel as the cars are old and cruddy and there isn't any special place for your luggage.

Lenore1

Thanks ggreen and Christina for your latest posts confirming our decision to use the bus. This forum is great!

Pepper_von_snoot

Completely agree with ggreen about the RER from CDG into Paris.

An absolute nightmare if you have luggage.

A taxi should be about 60 euros. That would be 30 euros per person. Not bad for door to door service.

Thin

Lenore1

Regarding the taxi, it is my understanding, and please correct me if I am wrong, that in addition to the 60 euros there would be a charge of 3 euros per piece of luggage. Also, do you tip on top of the fare in Paris?

ggreen

Lenore, I can't help you on that one. But maybe by topping someone else will!

Sarastro

Taxis from CDG typically charge 50€ to 55€ to most areas in Paris. Above the metered fare, expect to pay 3€ for the 3rd and subsequent passengers and 1€ per bag placed into the trunk after the first which is not charged.

I usually tip 3% to 5% of the fare which many might consider excessive.

Sarastro

Correction to my above post - 3€ is charged for the 4th and subsequent passengers. There is no charge above the metered fare for the first 3 passengers.