I am extremely grateful for the advice I have received on this site so far. I have another question for you, and I'm sure I'll have more in the coming week, as we depart next weekend.

We are staying at the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais off of Rue de Rivoli. What is the best way to get to the hotel from CDG? We are arriving 7-8ish a.m. and will each have only one 22" carry-on (so not a lot of luggage to worry about). I understand the time frame is 45 min to 1 hr., but what is the cost of your suggestions?

Thanks! beth

You could take the Air France bus into Paris, or the RER (but beware of pickpockets, who prey on sleepy riders), take a shuttle (about 20 Euros per person), or take a taxi (about 45-60 Euros, depending on the traffic).

We took the Roissybus from CDG to Opera Garnier and then walked to our hotel on Rue de Rivoli. The cost is 8.4 € per person, and the trip takes 45-60 minutes. You could also get a cab at the Opera Garnier if you need to, but it's not a long walk. The Roissybus is direct - no stops other than Opera Garnier.

KC

It can be walked from Opera, or if jet lag is affecting you, hop on Metro at that location, and go to Pont Marie, and 5-10 min walk from there.... alternatively walk down street leading away from front of Opera, down to Rivoli, and catch the Metro (Palais Royale) from there, take it to Hotel de Ville or St Paul, somewhat shorter walk to hotel.

Stairs in the Metro, Michel?????

I just was in Paris and used http://www.yellowvanshuttle.com

They were pretty good.

Also if you want to use a Van Shuttle send an email to your hotel and see if the reccommend any particular company.

The Air France bus is also a good idea and then you can get the Metro from their to Pont Marie. You will have to buy a Metro ticket at the station and carry your bag up and down the stairs. Its a bit of work but cheaper.

Since you're traveling light, you could easily take the RER. Take the RER B to Chatelet Les Halles. Walk through the tunnels to the Chatelet metro station and take line 1 to St-Paul (2nd stop).

If you don't have a metro/RER map, visit www.ratp.fr to download and print one. The site is viewable in English.

thank you everyone. this is a great help, especially the website.

It's about a forty-minute walk from Opéra.

I would probably ride the RER to Châtelet and either walk the rest of the way or hop a N° 96 bus to Rue du Pont Louis Phillippe and walk a block, as shown here:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...=96&fm=pdf

I have taken the exact route suggested by Tim - it's very easy, especially since you seem to know how to pack! If you can get an "express" RER from CDG you'll be in Paris in about 30 minutes as it will not stop as often as the other trains as you make your way to Paris.

taxi - around 45 euro

Agree with starrsville on taking a taxi. But it's all up to you which method you prefer.

i agree too,.at least starrsville wasnt being so snappy about it this time, ya know

The trains from CDG arrive in Paris in the same order as they left, so waiting for an express gets you to town later.

Changing at Châtelet sounds more efficient than it really is. By the time you get from the RER to the Métro, you could be halfway to the hotel.

In Paris, the shortest distance between two points can't be found on an RATP schematic map.

I wouldn't wish a change of trains in Chatelet with luggage to my worst enemy!