We ( 4 ppl) are staying in an apt in 2nd arr. and need to catch a flight out of Orly to Rome at 6 am!!! What time do we need to leave our apt by?
As far as I know, the metro is out of the question. What other economical choices do we have? Shuttles, taxi....would they charge extra for that early in the morning?

thx

I don't know how far it is to Orly specifically. But I'd try to be there by 5 a.m. at most. Yes, a taxi (Taxi Parisien) is the best thing, but try to reserve one the day before you leave. Since I don't know the distance I don't know the cost but there will be a small surcharge on the meter when the taxi arrives at your apartment. That is normal and all taxis charge something for the distance to get to pick you up.

good luck on that. I don't think even those shuttles operate that early, I think you will have to take a taxi. They do charge different amounts depending on the time of day, but it will be the same as the night rate (I think that's until 7 am). Anyway, it's not that bad because I've taken taxis on Sundays, and they have a higher rate, also, and there won't be any traffic much.

I don't think you have any choice, but it isn't that expensive anyway. You'll definitely have to order a taxi ahead for that (and see if you can order one for four people). Orly is closer than CDG, so that's the good thing. I think it is about 12 miles distance from there. I have no idea what time you need to be there, most airports don't open that early. Ask the airline.

Normally for a flight to Rome, I'd say be at an international airport at least 1.5 hours ahead, and I would aim for two. But with a flight at 6, I don't even know if they will be open at 4 am. I'd leave my hotel 30 minutes before I wanted to be at the airport, at least (in reality, I'd leave 45 minutes ahead).

I had a VERY early flight out of CDG and found that a Taxi was really my only option. That siad as other's have pointed out it's not that expesive. It's not like you will get held up in traffic! Give yourself extra time, leave earlier then you think you need to.

Thanks for everyone's response.
Now I need to book a taxi for our trip. I would prefer to do it here in the states as I will not have phone access at all while I am in Paris.
Are there public phones I can use?
Can anyone recommend a good taxi service for my early trip?
TIA

Try www.taxis-bleus.com. They have an online booking service.

Other possibility: spend the last night in an airport hotel that has an airport shuttle. You can probably sleep another hour.

This is not a recommendation, only an option.

If money is really a problem, take a Noctilien night bus (www.noctilien.com).

I usually use G7 taxis, but I think your plan is a little risky and I don't think I would do it -- not be able to have any contact with the taxi and not have any use of a phone. I wouldn't want to book a taxi by internet, never speak to the folks, have no way to check if they aren't on time or anything, and then hope they show up for a crucial appointment to get you to an international flight? I would feel safer if you call ahead and book by phone, even if you can't call if they don't show up on time. I also would be nervous about booking it so far in advance and have no way to call to verify or checkup, if that's what you will do.

They have public phones around, you'll need a telecarte and have to look around to see where one might be near your apartment.

Here are some taxi phone numbers I have in my address book:

Taxis Bleus
gen. 01-47-39-47-39
English-speaking 01-49-36-10-10
airport res. 08-25-16-66-06
24 hour line 08-91-70-10-10

G7 English-speaking line
01-41-27-66-99
gen. 01-47-39-47-39
They also have a website, but right now it seems to be down, but I think you can book on there
www.taxis-g7.com
www.taxisg7.fr

They have a 24-hr line.