Just came back from a trip to Paris (not my first), although, it was my first time taking the Air France shuttle- took it from Paris (Gare de Lyon) to CDG. Taking the shuttle was rather easy, and if ever friends or family were traveling to Paris for the first time, I'd recommend they take the Air France shuttle over the RER (at least to get to Paris). The shuttle is safe, convenient, and relatively cheap. The shuttle is only 16.50 euros for a one way, and about 25 euros for a round trip. Cash payable to the driver. There's someone to load and unload your heavy bags into the storage area of the bus for you.

Taking the shuttle from Paris to CDG, the bags were separated in the storage compartments depending on which terminal and gate people were being dropped off at. Best to look all that info up before you head to CDG. Once we got to CDG, there was someone to offload our luggage there as well.

At CDG, I disembarked the shuttle just as a Disney Paris charter bus was picking up people from CDG. Poor souls taking the Disney charter bus had to load their own luggage into the storage compartments of the Disney bus. Seeing that made me appreciate the value of the Air France shuttle bus.

The Air France shuttle doesn't stop at too many locations. I had to get from the Chatalet/ Hotel de Ville area to Gare de Lyon, which was the closest shuttle stop to me. Taking the metro to Gare de Lyon would've required me to haul a 50 lb bag up and down the stairs of the metro, which I was trying to avoid. So, I took a taxi from the Chatalet/ Hotel de Ville area to Gare de Lyon.

A side note about the taxi company G7 which was mentioned upthread: the website requires a French mobile number to make a reservation online because the website will send a text to the mobile number with a code as a verification step. Since I didn't have a mobile number that worked, I called G7 to make a reservation for 9AM. The guy at G7 told me there would be a 5 euro surcharge for pickup reservations of between 7-9AM. I asked for a revised pickup reservation at 9:30 AM. He then said the surcharge actually applied to all pickup requests between 7-10AM. Rather than deal with that nonsense, I just took a chance and chose to walk towards the closest metro station hoping to catch a taxi. Not a minute after I started walking, I was able to get a taxi. The taxi from the Hotel de Ville area to Gare de Lyon ended up costing around 13 euros. MUCH LESS than the 25-35 euros quoted online and over the phone by taxi company G7.

The Air France shuttle pickup location at Gare de Lyon was actually a little tricky to find though. It's not marked in any visible way from a distance, and it was surrounded by bus stops for other buses. I had to ask the info kiosk within the station for help. I only knew I had the right location b/c there was an info sign in the interior of the bus stop discussing the Air France shuttle.

Good to get some current info on the Paris-CDG trip-thanks for the detailed report.

We used the AF buses for several years from Arc de Triomphe stop. They used to go every 15 minutes but when the price of gas shot up a few years ago, they raised the price and cut service to every 30 minutes. We had a few very long trips due to the longer wait for the bus, heavy traffic (especially in-bound on weekday mornings, which of course is the same for all over-road travel), and long stops, both for pick-ups at CDG and drop-offs at the first stop Porte Maillot. Our last in-bound trip took almost 2 hours from when we stepped outside the terminal to when we got off the bus, and the buses were often crowded, more so due to the switch to fewer buses. The AF buses probably still offer the best balance of a quality ride and price, especially for the single traveler. Good call in avoiding the Metro with a big bag, more so at Chatalet, though many French lug those big babies up and down those stairs.

Trying to hail a cab on the street in Paris for a time critical connection is a bad bet, and I'm glad it worked out in this case for you. A big YMMV on this one. Were you staying at a hotel? Hotels will usually arange a cab which can help on language and cell phone issues. Your contact at G7 must have had the rules wrong, as their English website says the res costs 5€ from 7-10, M-F.

Finally, I would note that with 2 people instead of 1, the trip to CDG is approaching 50 €, which isn't enough savings from a expected 60-75 € cab ride to get me to transfer to the AF bus.

You also have the Roissybus from Opéra direct to CDG. It is less than 10€/pers and runs every 15 min. Ok, you don't have a member of staff loading your luggage as it is a regular long bus.

I see theres the AF or the metro. I'm traveling from CDG at 8am and don't have to be back until 6pm the next day. I'm probably going to stay at the Hilton ADT . I'm traveling with my wife and two children and of course a lot of luggage.

Don't know why nobody has mentioned it but I'm looking at hiring a car from the airport drive and go where I want to and park at the hotel overnight. The AF is going to costs me 2 adults 2 child maybe 70euro return ? I can get a car for that price.

You need to do some research.

First, the Metro does not go to CDG.

Second, I wouldn't stay at CDG unless I had an early flight the next day. It's an outpost that will take you 40 to 90 minutes to traverse to the city, and the same to get back, no matter which method you use. As someone pointed out above, staying in town will give you a place for you and your family to rest. It will also allow you to stay in Paris later in the evening, which is spectacular in itself.

Third, you may be able to get a car for $70 if you're talking about parking at the Hilton ADT, I'd find out what that costs, as it's likely pretty high. Also, consider pricing the lost time to get a rental car, figure out driving into Paris etc. The last cabs I took from CDG to Paris were 40 and 55 Euros-I'd suggest that you find a larger cab (they're called a "brique"-like an SUV or crossover vehicle, but they cost the same as the smaller ones)-and use a cab to get back too (you're hotel can get you one if you book in advance).

From what I can see, parking at the hotel will run you 35 euros.

Why not just take a taxi from the airport? A "Break" or "Monospace" is like a mini-van and will have plenty of room for you. Less hassle overall and will probably cost you the same or less than getting a car, not to mention saving you aggravation from the traffic.

Thanks guys mayBe that is a better option. I was looking at a car from hertz getting a good deal for 40euro per day I figured two days plus parking 100euros. Same as a cab and I can go where I like.
Never been to Paris

If you spend anytime researching your first trip, you will discover that you don't want to rent a car to visit Paris. It would be crazy. Any alternative is better than that. Unless you're a high-roller, you'll probably find public transport, mostly the Metro, to be more than satisfactory.

EUR 20 with 2 passengers OW but EUR 31 OW if you are travelling solo.

In addition to the stated reason above for not renting a car in Paris, this option would reduce your already limited time for the city: determining routes, getting lost, traffic, finding parking, etc.

Then you do NOT want to drive a car into the city. :(

Expensive, time-consuming, nerve-wracking.

I think you mean 'break' (French pronunciation makes it sound more like 'breck'), the equivalent term in British English being an 'estate' car and in American English a 'station wagon'.

Green Shuttle.Paris . First Class service
 

^^Mr n I only had 22 hrs in Paris. So after research we choose Green Shuttle. Was amazing we arrived 20mins early our driver arrived shortly (15mins early) helped with bags ( only carry on)To new Mini van, spoke great English pleasant drive into Paris past ' le Arc' down towards 'le Eiffle ' to our Hotel in the 7th. As per e mail booking quote. 121 euro return,half paid to driver for 1 st trip. 22hours later a different driver just as helpful and English speaking arrived 10 mins early ,helped with bags and drove us in a salon car safely to CDG. paid balance .very happy with this service. Could have gone by taxi 50 euro ish. But. This service was First Class worth the extra + tipped 10% both ways^^Great introduction to Paris. 2 days earlier our Airport taxi driver in Manchester tried to add. 50% to fare ,was a rouge blk cab picked up at airport!

Bolding mine: To say the least. I did it once to say that I did and that was it. Asked my cousin if I could drive and ever since then he keeps asking and I keep telling him, "I may be old but I'm not crazy" ;)

I actually don't mind driving (or cycling) in Paris - I find it quite smooth-flowing. As long as you remember that a certain fluidity as regards rules and lanes is expected, that when it doubt it's priorite a droite and to respect the space immediately in front of other vehicles, then you'll get on just fine.

However, to navigate, you really need to view the city as a series of landmarks and squares, with a fast route along the river. If you don't know the layout of the landmarks, you'll get stuck.

That said, I never drive a car in a city if I can avoid it.

You possess plus de sangfroid than moi. :)

To the 4th arrondissement with family (4 total)
 

Last time the wife and I were in Paris was nearly 10 years ago for an anniversary and without the kids. We took a minibus shuttle from the airport and had a mediocre experience as I recall.

This August we will be taking the kids and hoping to get some advice on getting to the 4th arrondissement in the mid-morning following a transatlantic flight.

I am interested to know if the taxis accomodate 4 passengers (kids are 10 & 12) and if they take credit cards. If I went with a shuttle, has anyone had positive recent experiences with any and do they take credit cards.

Thanks!

You'll have no trouble getting a taxi at the airport to take four people (technically, no taxi is suppose to refuse four, but some do).

As for the credit cards, you may have to wait through an available taxi or two, since not all taxis take credit cards, but you will be able to find one that does.

If there is a taxi-line manager pointing people to cabs, just tell them you need one for four people that takes credit cards, and they'll sort it out.

Thanks very much for this information.

You might not have a problem with 4 pax, but if you have 4 suitcases (plus probably cabin baggage), than you are in big troubles with a taxi.

I assume then that most of the taxis are sedans style cars. Any suggestions to get into the city without spending a fortune ?

cheaper? walk. ;)

seriously, you won't have a problem finding a big minivan-style taxi - or just use the bus. Air France busses and Roissybus are quite convenient to get into town, depending where you need/want to go ... do you have some more precise info than 4th arrondissement?

My friends flat is on the Rue des Lombards, between Blvd de Sebastopol and Rue de Renard. As long as I can get a minibus taxi that we will do that - not expecting any of us to get much sleep on the flight and will not want to deal with the bus + the kids.

Not really. As others have said, he might have to wait for a minivan. Besides, the trunks on some of the larger sedans are quite roomy, so it might not be an issue.

Could someone please chime in and validate or dispute this statement from another thread? I'm curious because my American visitors have never reported this. As a French speaker I just get into the taxi and give the address and end up where I want to go via a reasonable route, but I don't know if this is just stereotyping, or something I should actually consider when I have American visitors? I'm not the one to judge, knowing the city, the common routes, and the language, and also not being American but am just curious how often this really occurs?

I don't doubt that it happens sometimes to some people in many places that have taxi service, but this has never been my personal experience between CDG and Paris. Granted, I do speak French and have never been identified as American from my accent, but none of my non-French-speaking American acquaintances have had any taxi problems when visiting Paris as tourists.

I suspect the number of people who take Parisian taxis without incident is much higher than the number who are "taken for a ride".

That's what I assume as well. Considering the source, I'll take it as stereotyping or outdated impressions.

(On an unrelated note, I have some really great conversations with Parisian taxi drivers about politics, travel, religion, life in general. I can't recall a negative experience in a taxi in Paris or in France in general except for long waits at times, so that statement warning people off seemed out of place to me)

We had the ride of our life in a Paris taxi once-- driving like crazy through rush hour traffic arguing with other cabs, the whole ball of wax-- but I wouldn't call it a negative experience, and it was certainly a memorable one.

It might be a perception due in part to the one-way system in much of Paris. When I stay there I usually have the same driver who picks me up from the airport but we seem to go a different route each time once we are inside the Périphérique.

We pay a flat rate for the trip so it's to the driver's advantage to get us there promptly; even though it might seem that he's taking us via the scenic route in fact he's taking us the best way depending on the street and the traffic conditions.

I've only taken a cab from CDG once, and we were accompanied by a Parisian friend who wouldn't tolerate bad behaviour from a driver (or from me either, she's very fierce!)

CDG 1 to the RER staton
 

I am arriving CDG on United. I checked out the terminal map and information for CDG and the ORD CDG service arrives in and out of CDG 1. The inbound is a connection via IAD, so I assume that will also go into CDG 1.

After clearing customs, etc, it looks like I will take a bus or tram from CDG 1 to CDG 2 where the RER station is. Is this the correct assumption?

We will be departing CDG at 11:40 a.m.. I am planning to arrive CDG RER station at 8:40 a.m. Departing Denfert Rochereau at about 8 a.m.

Is this allowing enough time?

Thanks

You've got it nearly correct. From CDG 1 to CDG 2, take the CDG/VAL, a shuttle train that operates within the airport. Trains leave about every 8 minutes and it is tough to make a mistake.

3 Hours ahead is a lot, even for an international flight, even at "unique" CDG. But at that hour of the day, you give up little and you'll know you're covered. The CDG-Paris by RER topic is covered well, including pictures, here:

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-airpor...in-photo-tour/

BTW, last month I confirmed that US credit cards are accepted in at least one of the machines that sell RER tickets at CDG, thus avoiding the long line at the ticket booth. The machines seem to have trouble with the thicker Chase Sapphire cards, but take any regular card (that doesn't charge a forex fee) and you should be ok. Same for machines at Metro stations in Paris.

Have a great trip.

I noticed on my last UA flight from CDG that they have a warning message on the boarding card printed at home that one should arrive early thanks to US 'security'. I fly from CDG several times a month and it only appears on US bound flights. On UA from CDG there was no extra security (which is my usual experience flying to the US from CDG) No shoe removal, no extra screening, liquids permitted in carry on, no extra checks at the gate. Nor was there a queue at elite or regular check in, and I was wishing that I hadn't arrived so early. There were zero people ahead of me at the elite security queue and zero people in the regular security queue. (An American did come up and insisted on removing his shoes even when told not to do so, which is pretty common for me to see at CDG; the security clerk told him several times to please not remove his shoes) Next time I'll arrive at my usual CDG departure time.

The issue with credit cards is chip and pin. If there is no chip and pin, they are usually not accepted at metro station machines or SNCF machines. And of course American Express is accepted less frequently in France than in past (we just had this conversation with our server over dinner last night) Restaurants payment machines usually accept swipe cards, but not all. The chain Planet Sushi usually cannot process a swipe and signature card, so it's chip and pin or cash at many of their locations, for instance.

I have been discussing this thread with taxi drivers the last several months, and in particular the comments from the American who claims that Parisian taxi drivers 'rip off' American tourists coming from the airport. As several pointed out, the taxi industry is very strictly regulated. Most take pride in their job and were really saddened when I read that posters comments about the French to them. I don't think that people need to worry about that negative, stereotypical comment from that particular poster. :)

This helps. Thx. Can you buy a carnet of metro tickets at the same machine?
 

It would be great if I could by the rer tickets and metro tickets in one stop. Thus only have to deal with the credit card issue once.

To be clear, my comment on using CCs to buy RER tickets at CDG was addressing whether the machines there worked with non chip-and-pin cards, which is what most Americans have in their wallet. About a year ago, reports began that at least some of the machines did work with these US issued cards, and my experience was the same-it worked. I used a Chase issued card. Two caveats: First, the Chase Sapphire does not work because it is thicker than traditional cards and the machines can't handle it. Second, not all RER and Metro station machines accepted my US issued card that worked at CDG.

On cabs, I'll leave it with the suggestion that travelers use the Paris taxis marked G7 as I have never had a problem with them.

While the Metro does not go to CDG, I am pretty sure that the machines there near the RER entrance do sell metro tickets. I suggest figuring out exactly what you want to buy, which zones, etc., beforehand as it is a little dazzling on jet lag.

We have Chase credit cards so this really helps
 

Thank you again for this help I understand that there is fast fire car does not work and we do not have those yet. We have United Chase cards and Amtrak Chase cards which will work fine thank you again

One other point-try to have at least one credit card that does not impose foreign exchange fees. For example, the Chase United Explorer card does impose fees but the Chase United Club card does not. However, I tell friends to not get hung up on saving every penny in exchange fees, or other matters on a special trip.

Example: If you have the Chase UA Explorer card and use it for 2 RER tickets from CDG to Paris, you'll incur fees of 3% of around $24, or about $.75. And you will have likely have attained a pleasant, quick trip into the city, free of traffic delays and free of chasing down change etc. Celebrate!

For hotels, meals and other big ticket items, have a card that has no fees (and when offered, always make the charge in Euros). But enjoy convenience at a small cost too when it is available.

The machines at the station sell both types of tickets.

I don't know what this means? Is this supposed to be something we have here, or perhaps a translation of something?

Anyone travelling to/from CDG via the RER this winter should be aware that due to ongoing works on the weekends service is interrupted and there is often a bus connection as a result. This continues into March.

I actually suggest using cash when possible; there are BNP Paribas machines everywhere and they are on the same no-fee withdrawal network as many international banks such as DeutscheBank, Scotiabank, Bank of America, etc. This avoids the issue of American Express or non-chip and pin cards and provides a viable, low cost alternative. Otherwise one does risk having payment issues. Also many taxis do not take cards, or are unwilling to do so, even if card payment should be accepted as the norm. Many times I have a sign in the taxi that payment is by cash only (I don't pay with a card anyways but I have noticed this many times, and have had others mention it as they could not pay by card)

Travel time by taxi from the airport varies greatly; to my current location in the 8e it can be anywhere from 25 minutes to over an hour depending on day of week, time of day, and weather. When I was located elsewhere in central Paris it could be even longer, as most of my journey is via périphérique and very little via surface roads. Also landing at T1 cuts down on some of the travel time; landing at T2 adds about 10 minutes to my journey if taking taxi (and of course the reverse can be true if taking the RER)

I would also suggest les Cars AirFrance as an alternative if one is near one of their stops in the city.

Cost, amount of luggage, and ability to navigate are of course always considerations.

I thought at least some of the RER ticket machines only take coins (if so, how handy)?

I'm not certain that I understand your question? I just walked past them a few minutes ago but I'm not going to go back and check.

Are you saying that they don't take bills? Yes, larger bills are not accepted at various machines, but I don't understand the comment about coins. Since Euro come in 1 and 2 Euro coin one pretty much always has change. And BNP Paribas machines ask if one wants small bills, 50 Euro bills, or a mix of bills when it dispenses cash.

Having a non-chipped (Chase) German card for work and being in France is a pain. I cannot use it for most ordinary purchases, including many restaurants, transport, and the self-service checkout in shops. It rarely works on the SNCF site, and even when it does, I cannot use the machine to change a ticket. A few weeks ago I missed a train as I could not use the machine to make the change and had to wait in a long queue. Chase now does issue chip and pin cards in Germany but I have not been able to replace mine and generally use an alternative method of payment.