I prefer the direct RERs that make their first stop at Gare du Nord for comfort. The RERs that stop in all the burbs fill up quickly and at rush hour you can count on being a human sandwich for 40 minutes.

I am typically in favor of the RER but since there is not direct one at your time I am going to have to cast my vote for taxi.

Morganb,

Thanks for the info - I was wondering if it would get extra crowded around rush hour, especially since we wouldn't have the luxury of a non-stop to Paris

I agree that it sounds like the OP will be more comfortable all around with a cab and shuttle.

Once the questions go from logistical concerns (stairs, escalators) to social/demographic concerns, it just seems like public transportation might not be the best option for some.

And christina, i agree with you, as it's easy for men who have probably never been stalked, to be quite dismissive about such things.

Anna, Once you are situated in Paris, over any jetlag and without luggage do be sure to take the metro most anywhere. It is economical and convenient and as safe as any other mode of transportation.
Let us know how things work out if you use the paris airport shuttle service.

lemidi,

I'll let you know if we go with that company, since it looks like we might be using them.

By the way, did you use that company both leaving CDG and going back to the airport also? Do you have any delays in picking up bags, or in security that the company had to wait for you? Were you charged extra for the wait? Were they waiting for you without you having to call them?

Anna, We did not have to call the company. It was prearranged that the driver would be waiting for us outside baggage claim and there he was. That is part of the VIP service. No calling, they are there waiting.

I do not recall that we had any unusual delays upon arrival so there were no extra charges. That is a good question that you can ask them when you make a reservation via e-amil: Are there any extra charges for a late arrival or delay? I don't think there would be though because they always reconfirm flight arrival times before going to the airport and besides a late flight they should be prepared for any type of customs delay and not charge you for it. You are not being charged by the hour, it is a flat fee. For any unusual delay you could give the driver a larger tip.

We did not return to the airport from Paris. We actually took a taxi to the train station for a trip South.

>> I know this is probably false, but I was nervous about going through those areas also. <<

You will go through them nonetheless, even if it's on a motorway !

Direct trains have been a demand from ADP (the authority that runs Paris airports) since the beginning. [ADP takes its share on the price of the ticket, more than 3€]. The CDG rail service was launched in the late seventies as a CDG-Gare du Nord shuttle (the RER B tunnel between Lxembourg and Gare du Nord wasn't built yet).

Since in the late seventies there were less trains on the tracks between GdN and Aulnay, the directs were able to speed. Now, they have to be shoved into a busy pattern. There are 4 tracks between GdN and Aulnay, however, if you look carefully, there is a huge freight sorting facility at le Bourget/Drancy (*) that hinders the use of 2 tracks out of 4 for the RER.

At peak hours, the increase in the number of trains makes it simply unbearable technically to keep the directs. Plus, as kerouac says, the need to transfer workers to/from the airport.

I've been a teacher in the much defamed Seine St Denis, I've ridden many, many times this stretch of the RER, and never had a problem (save for the smell in the trains in summer...)

(*) On a side track of the sorting facility, there is a monument-wagon with a lot of grim and suffering in it. I could never part with the remembrance of the darkest times when going through Drancy.

There are plans, at least 10 years from now, for a new direct non-stop rail link from CDG to Gare de l'Est. Gare de l'Est would have flight check-in facilities and baggage would also be checked there.

Lemidi, so we can compare this kind of service to all the others available and suggested, what was the cost?

Here's a link to my website with pros/cons and travel tips for getting from CDG into the city.

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_cdg_to_paris.html

I've always recommend like Kerouac taking the RER and don't find that taking an express vs. local makes that much of a time difference. But, I have on occasion taken cabs, Air France bus and Roissybus. I've never taken a private shuttle due to the cost and hassle factor. I would always take the RER, even if I had to struggle with my luggage, at rush hour because the traffic is a nightmare into the city.

Gretchen, This was my post ffrom 12/20 to Anna:

check out www.parisairportservice.com . I used them in 2004 and found them to be reliable and inexpensive with a very friendly driver who even stopped at a debit machine for me to withdraw funds away from the airport. For our group of 6 it cost only 80euros from CDG to city center and the driver was waiting for us outside customs.

I just checked their site and the prices are still the same. For your group of 3 it would cost only 65euros for a private car awaiting you upon arrival.
I think I may have gotten the name of this company from this site back then.

From today:
I agree that the RER is very convenient whether nonstop or not however for me after a long transatlantic flight and with alot of luggage I don't mind sitting back and resting while a driver navigates into the city and drops me off in front of my destintion (if the price is right).
In some circumstances and I've tried all methods, after alighting from Air France shuttle or the RER there is still a question of additional transport (and expense) to the hotel or apartment unless we can be lucky enough to be within a few blocks of the accommodation. All modes of transport work well for different situations.

That is a very good price for 6. it might not be particularly good for 3-4, but everyone has their own comfort level for this expenditure. A taxi is our "gift" to ourselves for an easy ride to our hotel. We have done the RER when travelling with our daughter so I know that method. I didn't like finding the right train to CDG from Gare du Nord--almost got on the wrong one. And luggage at rush hour IS a problem.

HI Gretchen
The shuttle prices vary by amount of passengers. I checked and for 3 it is 65euros which is not much more than a taxi amd this includes the driver waiting outside baggage claim.

I know, that is what you said. But a taxi--walking out to the queue--is usually about 45E for us. That's a meal.

May I remind everyone about the original question and the "during rush hour" aspect? How many people think that 2 hours in traffic is more delightful than 30 minutes by rail?

The worst traffic I have ever been in in my life from trying to get toward Paris from CDG in the middle of the day (nowhere near rush hour). The RER is so fast and easy compared to driving I will always only take that from now on.

Sorry Gretchen. I thought you were originally referring to the 80euros and didn't see the 65euros.