Betsy

I'm helping friends with their first Paris trip. They'll be turning in a rental car at Blois and taking the train into Paris to Gare du Austerlitz. They do not want to drive in Paris. What would be the best way to get from the station to their hotel (Marriott Courtyard $40 thru Priceline) at CDG? Metro and RER? Or would it be possible to make a reservation on one of the shuttles to pick them up at the station and transport to CDG? Thanks for your ideas.

DougP

Does your question assume that the hotel is part of or within walking distance of CDG. If that is true then you can reserve and take an airport shuttle to CDG. If not true then the shuttles would not be of any use. A taxi might be best. The airport is in the suburbs and the RER and Metro might not take you close enough to the hotel. Of course you could take a taxi from the RER stop.

Betsy

Thanks, Doug. The Marriott Courtyard is not a part of, or within walking distance of, CDG. One option would be for them to get to CDG and then take the CDG shuttle to their hotel. We've researched and there is a shuttle from the airport to their (and other) hotel. I am trying to determine if there is any way they can avoid having to transfer from Austerlitz to the metro to the RER and then to the CDG shuttle to their hotel, all with luggage (they are traveling light). Any ideas?

Christina

Obviously, they should take a taxi.

mpprh

Hi

If they are feeling rich a taxi is easiest.

Depending on number of people, time and day, you are looking at about Euro 80. These days , say USD 100 ho ho !

The public transport route is a little tortuous.

Peter
http://tlp.netfirms.com

Andre

Betsy, your friends should definitely drive! They do NOT need to drive IN Paris, as there is a ring road which will take them to CDG without hitting the city. By far the easiest option!

They will be driving northbound towards Paris on the A10. They should then follow signs to the N104/A104 ring road (2nd exit after the toll plaza), also known as "La Francilienne". It will take them right to CDG. Michelin map 106 provides an excellent overview of the greater Paris area and it's widely available throughout France - your friends can buy one to check out the route, which is always a good idea.

Hope this helps,
Andre

Gino

I definitely agree with Andre that they should drive to CDG for the reasons that he stated.
Futhermore, the Courtyard mentioned is only 2km from the airport and they have complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
A simple call to them from the airport, or enroute to the airport, would make this a piece of cake.

Betsy

Ahh, thanks Andre and Gino. Driving to CDG instead of turning their car in at Blois might be just the way to do it. They're reluctant to drive IN Paris, but armed with your good directions and a detailed map, they could probably find their way to CDG. They'll have been driving around Normandy and the Loire Valley prior to their return to the Paris area, so should be experienced with driving in France by then.