Does anyone have any recommendations besides a cab? We were in Paris 2 1/2 years ago, and hired a service that transports passengers door to door. It worked fine on the way TO the hotel. However, the reverse trip was a nightmare--we almost missed our flight because the van hadn't allowed enough time to pick everyone up. He drove like a total maniac (we almost tipped over)and then refused to honor our pre-payment by Visa from the U.S., although we had documentation.

Has anyone had a GOOD experience with a similar type of operation?

mareh:

On my last trip to Paris, in February, we took a door-to-door shuttle from CDG to Hôtel Relais Bosquet and return and it worked very well. We used the service that the hotel recommended as they assured us it was more reliable than others. I am sorry to say I cannot recall which service we hired (if I do find the name I will post it within this thread), but perhaps your hotel can make a recommendation for you.

Bonjour, mareh.

I always take a cab, but not just any cab. It's a small group of Parisian taxi drivers who work together and drive clean cars (late model Mercedes, mostly). They meet you at the airport at the Customs exit with your name on a sign. They carry your luggage, both at the airport and wherever your end destination may be. This service is not "cheap", but I love it because they are always on time and for arrivals they will wait at the airport if your flight is delayed - always nice after an 11+ hour night flight.

Anyhow, if you don't want a cab, try the Air France bus service that can drop you off at Les Invalides and you can walk/taxi from there.

I do NOT use the Paris versions of "Supershuttle", etc. All good intentions aside, the drivers are pressured to work their vans like a pizza delivery moped. As bbinchi says, perhaps your hotel can arrange for transportation.

Thanks, both of you, for your suggestions! I never thought to ask the hotel--that is an excellent idea.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blairvanhorn:
...try the Air France bus service that can drop you off at Les Invalides and you can walk/taxi from there.
</font>

It's been about 100 years since the AF bus went to Invalides from CDG.

From CDG, there are 2 AF buses to Paris: the more frequent goes to Porte Maillot and Place Etoile, and the other one goes to Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon. Depending where in the 7th you're headed, a taxi from either Place Etoile or Montparnasse (across from the Meridien hotel) would be the choice.


[This message has been edited by wideman (edited 12-12-2002).]

Wideman is correct above - I goofed on the Invalides stop for the Air France coaches (they do stop here coming from Orly airport). Sorry about that.

There is also the "Roissybus" run by the transit authority (RATP) which goes from Roissy-CDG to rue Scribe, next to the Opera Garnier and American Express.

AF bus is extremely efficient and reasonably priced. Will drop you right near the Arc where cabs are plentiful.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DENROC:
AF bus is extremely efficient and reasonably priced. Will drop you right near the Arc where cabs are plentiful.</font>

Right. I use this bus CDG-Porte Maillot almost every week. In the last 5 years, I didn't miss any flight.
The bus driver becomes information about the traffic, and chooses the best way to reach the airport.

Rush hours : allow 45-60 min. to reach CDG 2A, 60-75 min. to CDG 1 (the last stop).




[This message has been edited by ahrz (edited 09-01-2001).]

I used the services of this gentleman in 1999 and was very pleased. We intend to use him again, next summer. The information comes directly from his business card.

V.I.P. Service
Michel Petit

26 rue des Rigoles
75020 PARIS
FAX: 01 43 66 64 24

06 03 33 33 31
RESERVATION

Michel was very polite and the tariff was reasonable. He was punctual and the automobile was clean, spacious, and safe.

I hope this helps.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by blairvanhorn:
Bonjour, mareh.

I always take a cab, but not just any cab. It's a small group of Parisian taxi drivers who work together and drive clean cars (late model Mercedes, mostly). They meet you at the airport at the Customs exit with your name on a sign. They carry your luggage, both at the airport and wherever your end destination may be. This service is not "cheap", but I love it because they are always on time and for arrivals they will wait at the airport if your flight is delayed - always nice after an 11+ hour night flight...</font>

I know I'm digging up an old post here, but I'll be in Paris in January and did a search for car services and what blairvanhorn is describing is the closest thing I could find.

I'll be coming in from LAX so I want to make getting to the hotel as easy as possible (as opposed to the RER, Airfrance shuttle, etc) and was wondering if there were any car services that would be kinda in the same price range of a cab. I'm staying at the Melia Colbert Boutique Hotel (close to the Saint Michel RER station) and they could get me a car for €100 which I found too steep.

So if anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it or perhaps if blairvanhorn is still "around" he could share the contact info for the service he mentions! Merci! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by sk3 (edited 12-18-2002).]

sK3: The man who ran my taxi service has retired and the group has disbanded - sorry.

I have been using regular taxis lately as I have opened an account with one of the big Parisian taxi groups (G-7) - I just call them when I pick up my bags and they meet me outside the terminal.

100€ for the airport transfer is pretty steep (a normal taxi is about 45€).

thanks much blairvanhorn for answering my question. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
I'll be coming in from LAX so I want to make getting to the hotel as easy as possible (as opposed to the RER, Airfrance shuttle, etc) and was wondering if there were any car services that would be kinda in the same price range of a cab. </font>

We used City Air Service twice now, and were satisfied. About a 15 min wait for the van by Gate 28, but clean and fast direct service. They have a staffed desk right there by the gate, and the young girl spoke fluent English. Only came back to CDG once with them, (we train to London now) and they were on time, but you have to re-confirm within 24 hours. (Which is nice in a way, because you know they will remember the pick-up). You can book right on the web page. http://www.travel-in-paris.com/air-city/english.htm


------------------
Have a nice day!
ChgoBob

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ChgoBob:
We used City Air Service...</font>

Hmmm. From their Web site, it looks like this service is a small bus, which to me implies the probability that you'll share the bus with one or more other parties. Which in turn means that you'll stop at one or more other hotels/addresses before you get to where you're going.

And the Web site says that the average wait for the service (at CDG) is 20 minutes.

Plus, the price is €22/adult. So, for 2 people the price is the same as a cab.

Is there a plus-side to City Air Service that I'm missing?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by wideman:
Is there a plus-side to City Air Service that I'm missing?</font>

None that I can think of, which is why I only mentioned it as an alternative, and not a "rave review".



------------------
Have a nice day!
ChgoBob

Well the pluses for me are that as I'm travelling by myself the fare is half of what I'd pay for a cab and they take credit cards - so thanks for this info. Much appreciated.

[This message has been edited by sk3 (edited 12-20-2002).]

SK3 - the Air France bus is rather easy and cheap. You can buy a round trip fare for ~$26 I believe (at least that's what it was when I was there this last year). You can then either get a cab or take the metro to your hotel. They leave right outside the terminal.

I thought we just paid €17 RT a couple of weeks ago to Etoile.

The trip each way in the morning took a full hour.

There are baggage handlers at both ends.

Is there rail or bus service from CDG to the Paris Hilton near the Eiffel Tower?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Radiocycle:
Is there rail or bus service from CDG to the Paris Hilton near the Eiffel Tower?</font>

I think so. I think it is an RER in, and an RER transfer to the west. But it can be a tough trip with heavy luggage. A lot of the turnstiles are gone, but the stairs in many places are still there.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slawecki:
I think it is an RER in, and an RER transfer to the west. But it can be a tough trip with heavy luggage. </font>

RER B from CDG to St Michel, and switch to RER C to the Tower.

http://www.paris.org/Metro/

and all connections to CDG:

http://us.franceguide.com/outside.asp?url=http://www.adp.fr

------------------
Have a nice day!
ChgoBob

I've been told that this service is good and dependable, and they offer private or semi-private service:

http://www.parisplus.com/Airport_Transfers.htm

My experiences with other services (the blue vans/Airport Shuttle and the silver vans/Parishuttle) have been okay but not stellar, although my difficulties were on arrival and not departure.

Just a follow up - ended up using Air City Service on Chgobob's advice and I'd use it again.

I reserved transfers to and from the airport before I left - only complaint is that their website says that the charge is 22USD but it's actually €22 (but it's only a few dollars difference).

I easily found their desk at gate 28 and had to wait about 20 minutes. But it was only me and one other party in the van so I was the first drop off.

Coming back, I requested a 05:00 pick up at my hotel in the 5th and was picked up sharply at 05:00 and brought directly to the airport (no other people in the shuttle).

As I was travelling alone this offered substantial savings over a cab (especially with the early a.m. pick up) and I was brought door to door without any other stops.

Had a great time btw and already planning on a return!

We are staying in the fifth arrondisement and using CDG. There are four of us. Is it any cheaper to take the Air France bus to Montparnasse and then a cab, or are we better off just taking a cab or car service?

Thanks for your advice.

The last two times I've been in Paris, I've used Blu Van. it is a small van that they limit to only 3 people/stops. MUCH better than the AF shuttle in my opinion since its less crowded and takes you directly to the front door of your hotel! English speaking as well of course.

22EUR for a single, 18EUR if more than one person. The number to call for reservations
from the U.S. is 888-426-2705, and the number to call in Paris is 0800 BLU VAN (505-610)

for 4 people going CDG to the 5th arrondissement, realistically is it just as much to take a cab?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
for 4 people going CDG to the 5th arrondissement, realistically is it just as much to take a cab?</font>

A cab to the 7th (Paris Hilton) ran around 50 euros in heavy traffic. I'd take the cab if I had more than one person.

If I recall correctly, the "official" limit on passengers in a regular-sized cab is three. Your driver may refuse to take four (or maybe not, if you're lucky or if he has a van-sized taxi). Also consider the amount of luggage you'll have and remember that most Parisien taxis have small trunks.

By the way, here's another shuttle service which is reportedly very reliable:
http://www.netcapricorn.com/clients/bpairport.htm (http://www.netcapricorn.com/clients/bpairport.htm.)

In the end, I would recommend just using whatever mode of transportation you feel most comfortable with. I know for my parents, who tend to get a bit stressed out over this sort of thing, it's well worth a few extra dollars to arrive in a relaxed manner, ready to enjoy their vacation.

Bon voyage!

------
edited to fix link - sorry! Thanks, wideman.

[This message has been edited by iff (edited 01-27-2003).]

re: link in previous post (by iff):

I suspect that this link (without the '.' at the end) (http://www.netcapricorn.com/clients/bpairport.htm) will work much better.

Wideman

This has been a very informative thread. I will be traveling to Paris on Feb. 20 with my wife and 2 children, and from what I've read it seems that a taxi is the way to go for 4 people. A such, how much should I expect to pay from CDG to the Champs Elysee?

Thank you.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geoellis:
This has been a very informative thread. I will be traveling to Paris on Feb. 20 with my wife and 2 children, and from what I've read it seems that a taxi is the way to go for 4 people. A such, how much should I expect to pay from CDG to the Champs Elysee?

Thank you.</font>

I've been following this thread with interest. I think that for your situation the AF bus is probably one of the easiest solutions.

If you do opt for the taxi, count on roughly 30-40 euros fare plus they add on more for luggage and extra passengers. Looks about 50-60 with tip. The bus will cost you $20 for 2 adults and I believe kids are free.

It's been suggested to me that a rental car might work best with 4 people and a short stay. Drive to hotel, park car and leave it until ready to leave (to CDG). We're going to be in Paris only one day and will already have a rental (coming from Normandy). Apparently this saves both time and money. Your thoughts.

I posted this in a Trip Report thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/003491.html), but I thought it might be helpful here:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by asnovici:
Yes, you are right, it will be difficult to get used to it at first... Its just so odd NOT to leave the tip... Does it matter if its a nice restaurant or not? Also, is there a flat taxi fare from CDG to Paris downtown? </font>

In a "nice" restaurant ("nice" being very subjective, of course!), people often leave something above the service compris: sometimes between €1.50 - €3.00 in a nice bistro or brasserie, €10 or more in a high-end establishment.

No tip is expected in cafés though many people do, as mentioned above, round up to the next euro or leave a few pieces of change.

There is no flat rate from CDG to city center - I paid €35 this week at 1:30 PM in the afternoon and the traffic was quite light. Meter rates (and, thus, fares) vary according to the time of day (lowest from 7AM to 7PM Mon-Sat, highest from 7PM-7AM Mon-Sat, Sundays and holidays) and whether or not you are within Paris city limits.

There is a small charge for a fourth passenger (I think €2.60 if they even accept a fourth passenger) as well as €0.90 for each piece of luggage (not handbags or briefcases). If you want to pay by credit card, make sure the taxi accepts them IN ADVANCE (not all do).

[This message has been edited by blairvanhorn (edited 02-14-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jabez:
It's been suggested to me that a rental car might work best with 4 people and a short stay. Drive to hotel, park car and leave it until ready to leave (to CDG). We're going to be in Paris only one day and will already have a rental (coming from Normandy). Apparently this saves both time and money. Your thoughts.</font>

I would generally advise against this. Driving in Paris can be quite a challenge at times. I don't know what time your flight is leaving from CDG, but traffic in the mornings and late afternoons/early evenings can be really awful; you might lose a lot of time you could be spending in Paris by driving to the airport, returning the car, shuttling to the terminal, etc.

A taxi probably wouldn't be much more than what you'll end up paying for parking.

Just a thought.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">It's been suggested to me that a rental car might work best with 4 people and a short stay. Apparently this saves both time and money. Your thoughts.</font>

Following blair's advice would be safest, as usual.

The rental car may save a few Euros (definitely not time), but could result in increased blood pressure due to:
- finding parking in Paris; few hotels have their own, and it is hard to leave a car in the street all day without getting a ticket; underground lots can be scarce, and 'exponentially' priced
- getting to the Périphérique at rush hour, for someone unfamiliar with driving in Paris (not applicable to those who have successfully driven around the Arc de Triomphe...)
- refueling car before CDG is not as obvious as it should be. I always seem to miss the last (and only?) gas station on the freeway to CDG
- CDG rental car agents can be unhelpful in case of problems. I was told 'we don't want customers like you' for having the audacity of asking for a printed bill http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

However, if you are comfortable driving in Paris, are staying in the outer arrondissements, and can add a rental day at minimal cost, it is definitely an option.