I have been getting wonderful advice from this message board concerning my trip to Paris. Thank you all. I have another question. I am traveling with my family (husband and 2 kids, 11 and 14), what is the best and most economical way to get from the airport to our hotel in the 11th arr. I was planning on the RER and metro, but is that foolish considering that there will be 4 of us with luggage? Any advice will be welcome. I want to be economical, but not "pennywise and pound foolish".

Susan, The shuttle services are about $15 per person. They are very convenient. But with 4 people you're getting into the neighborhood where a taxi is just as cost effective (as long as you can get one that seats 4). The thing about the shuttle is that you are also stopping to get other people which can add time to your trip. <BR><BR>I've done the RER and metro thing and it's not terribly difficult but can be a pain with a lot of luggage. Also, again with 4 people the cost of a taxi becomes increasingly worthwhile

Be smart. Start your vacation the right way, no hassels, no problems, no delays, no schlepping luggage, door to door service. Walk outside the terminal and get on the taxi line. Don't take the drivers standing out there - very expensive. Take the taxis with "Taxi Parisien" sign on the roof. Should run you about $40 depending on traffic and amount of luggage. For more Paris information e-mail me: [email protected]

Okay, so if I take a taxi, does anyone have an idea of the cost? And is it hard to find a taxi that will take 4 people (albiet one is a very small 11 year old) and luggage?

Susan, I would have said $50 but Fred says $40 and he's the Paris expert. Given that, the taxi is a no-brainer. They do have some mini-van type taxis.<BR><BR>And going back to the airport at the end of the trip you can have your hotel order a taxi for you.

We took the RER from cdg into Paris on a Saturday around noonish.<BR><BR>The closer we got to Paris the train became packed with people standing in the aisles. We had seats but there were several layers of people between our luggage and ourselves. I got a little nervous, but nothing happened to our stuff. However, we were treated to a lively discussion between a white Frenchman and a black student from Africa on racism in France. followed by a discussion on the funny way Americans talk.

On our way into Paris, there were three of us and, yes, we did have another person to drop off first. But we just counted it as a bit of a sightseeing tour. Returning, there were four in our party, and the van was all ours. Even if the taxi were to be a bit cheaper, knowing I already had a reservation and someone waiting specifically for me would be worth a few dollars. I would not get into rush hour on the RER or metro with luggage and two children.

Okay, this sounds good, but now how do I reserve this "shuttle" and just how much more is it than a taxi (which was sounding good to me before!)? And is it hard to get a taxi for 4? We are scheduled to arrive about 12:30; not exactly rush hour.

The taxi will be about $40 counting tip and supplement for luggage. It is not difficult to get one for 4 people. Just do as Fred suggested--a Taxi Parisien (do not get a taxi from one of the people who will meet you at the door even if they can take 4--they will overcharge). Walk out to the taxi line and hold up 4 fingers. We were 4 adults with luggage and found one in about 3 minutes.