Getting from CDG to Paris...
 

We are going to Paris in about a month and was wondering what is the best / easiest way to get to Paris from CDG. Specifically to the Le Senat Hotel, 10 Rue De Vaugirard. It is in / near the Latin Quarter and St. Germain de Pres
Thanks!

You'll find lots of CDG transfer information in the France Forum

Thanks!! I knew it was somewhere around here...

This will be moved to the France forum, but there is an RER subway line that runs from CDG to Paris. I can't remember the cost, something like $20. You can buy your ticket from a kiosk.

The last time I took a cab the cost was $55. That was some years ago and I would guess it would now be about $85 due to inflation and the change in currency value. There's something to be said for the cab if you have a lot of luggage, or if there are three or four of you.

Some people take the Air France bus. That option just seems not very practical to me, and not too pleasant.

Indeed, our Travel->France forum is the ideal place for this thread. Please stand by..... Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

Take the RER B blue line to Paris. You can buy the ticket on a vending machine or at the ticket counter. Price is the same, machine is usually faster. I am not quite sure which station you have to get off. Probably either change trains from RER to metro at Chatelet or Les Halles and then get off at St. Germain des Pres, or, if it is closer to Jardin du Luxembourg or St. Michel you can take RER B directly there.

As I said, take RER B directly to Luxembourg, then walk. Should be no more than five minutes in a very nice area, no hills.

You probably walk by a Cafe that's called Rostand on the corner with Boulvd. St. Michel. Have a lait chaud vanille there. Delicious.

http://www.parisby.com/senat/pages/reach.htm


Till

The practicality of the Air France Bus (or the Roissybus) can sometimes increase if the travelers have luggage that would be difficult to transport on the RER/Metro systems (with its many staircases, etc). ;)

It also depends on your destination. If your hotel is the Concorde Lafayette, Le Meridien Etoile or close to the Arc de Triomphe, the Air France coach is more convenient than the RER, especially, as mentioned, when you have heavy baggage. Roissy Bus is quite practical when you need to go close to the Opera. In the OP's case, the RER B is probably the best option.

which was given in the OP. ;) I'd take the RER B as well, its only a very short walk from Luxembourg RER station (no changes from CDG)

Thanks for all the GREAT info. I anticipate one larger bag and one smaller carryon for our trip. (all with wheels) And Luxembourg is the get off point.

My concern is the amount of stairs we might have to deal with and looking like tourists as we walk through town to our hotel. From the map it looks like a 5 or 10 minute walk.

BTW.. what is the Air France Bus?

Thanks!

I'm too lazy to look (and in an airport lounge), but if you search on my handle in this forum you'll find a longish post where I describe the CDG via RER experience in great detail.

The Air France Bus (les cars Air France) is a bus service providing nonstop transportation between the two Paris airports and specific points in the center city.

One advantage is that, as you can see in the photo on the website (click on "SERVICES"), larger luggage items are carried in the cargo hold underneath the seating area:


http://videocdn.airfrance.com/cars-a.../index_en.html

Milepig.. I'll check out your thread...

Anyone know once we get out of customs at CDG... how far do we need to go to get to the RER station? Is it in the airport?
Thanks

Someone can provide better information than me, but there is some walking involved, but the RER station is at the airport. We just followed the signs, as I recall.

What's unpleasant about taking AF's bus? :confused: I took this back in December and found it to be quite pleasant, without the concerns for safety that I sometimes I feel catching the RER 'B' at St-Michel/Notre-Dame or Gare-du-Nord.

Depends in which Terminal you're landing. From T1, you can take a shuttle train. From T2, you can walk.

The Air France bus is only a bit more expensive. It's easier if you're landing at T1 and the whole ticketing system is more straightforward. Less walking is involved as it stops right outside both terminals.

I used to work at CDG and our supervisors recommended that we take the Air France bus instead of the RER. More secure and less chance of getting pick pocketed. They had 3 F/A's "lose" their passports on the RER and sure enough, a few months later, a coworker couldn't work the trip when she looked in her bag...

http://videocdn.airfrance.com/cars-a.../index_en.html

Everyone on board is going to and from the airport. It doesn't stop in between to pick up or drop off anyone. They also do the route all day so if there is bad traffic, they radio each other and take alternate routes. The only time it was ever late was when we were actually blocked by a truck...

Taxis are usually lined up where the bus stops so that was never an issue, or you can continue by Métro. So pick the stop that's closest.

If you opt to take the RER, secure your money and passport (the Real Prize for pickpockets who sell them on the black market). Rip the tags off your bags before you board and don't fall asleep! Easy to do if you're landing after a transatlantic...

Have a good time!

There's an airport shuttle that stops at the various terminals at CDG, as well as TGV and RER station. See map here.

I typically arrive into Terminal 2A, board the shuttle which passes 2C before stopping at the Gare TGV (shared with RER IIRC). Tickets for RER are purchased at either the vending machines or you can queue up to buy from sales clerks. Coming back make sure you exit the correct terminal (1 or 2), as the RER stops at both.

HTH,
benzguy80

I found the thread - look at post #62

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/franc...er-safe-5.html

You will almost certainly take an airport shuttle-train to the RER - just follow the signs.

almost right ... except the inter-terminal shuttle at CDG is a small bus, not a train

you board trains at the train station, the shuttles stop in front of each terminal (at least the ones I've seen)

Car rental is not that expensive--although parking and travel in the city center are difficult. I tend to go for a week at a time and rent an apartment with a parking garage. Paris underground is not my cup of tea--although it is convenient and among the best in a large city.

Unless they ripped out the tracks in the past couple months, it is a train. We took it in January. It goes to Parking and to the RER stops. Used to be a shuttle until a couple years ago.

And what does THAT mean?

1. Bus seats tend to be extraordinarily narrow. The sitting in generally much more comfortable on a train.

2. The RER will deposit you at one of two or three city stations, where you can then transfer to the subway to your hotel. This just seems more convenient than taking the bus, then locating the subway, then entering the subway (hassle) and finally taking the subway to the final destination.

Let me say I've never taken the bus. It might be a much better deal than I imagine. Since the OP needs to get downtown somehow, perhaps you could describe the bus ride in some more detail. Who knows, I might take it one day!

it depends on your budget and your physical condition
 

I have taken the RER, taxi, and the bus. If money is not a consideration and you're elderly or have a young child, take the taxi. I normally took the RER when I was younger. So I did it again this past June with my toddler. There was some kind of train worker strike so we had to change train to get to the subway. Of course we changed to the wrong train (my French is pretty poor and the agents at the change stop "didn't" speak English) and had to retrace our steps. Needless to say, it was a bit stressful running around with a tired young child and luggage. There might have been steps in the train/subway stations but I don't recall it being too bad. On the way back, we just took one subway from the Marais district to Arc de Triomphe and took the bus. It was easy. Anyway, if you're physically fit, want to save some money, and can adjust to unexpected situations, take the RER or the AF bus. Don't worry about dragging luggage in the subway or on the street. You'll see plenty of people doing it.

I guess there is a inter-terminal train at CDG, but I have not seen it as I transited Terminal 2A and RER/TGV Gare.

One can walk from most of the Terminal 2 buildings to the RER station, but it is much easier over there to take the shuttle bus.

Regarding dragging luggage, I've found it's a nuisance to get through the turnstiles for RER and Metro but this was not a problem for AF bus. You just need to keep an eye on your stuff until the workers load it for you.

Regarding stairs, at T2 I did not have to go up or down stairs to get to the AF bus, but it seems we did pick up other people at the lower level at CDG so it may be necessary depending on which terminal you've arrived at or are departing from.

I did not find the seats on the AF bus to be any more narrow than the RER or metro. A taxi would offer a bit more space, of course.

The biggest drawback in my view to the AF bus is also a strength: each route includes very few stops. If you're going from CDG to areas close by Place de l'Etoile, Porte Maillot, Gare Montparnasse or Gare de Lyon then you're in luck. If not then you need to figure out how to connect via some other means such as Metro or just skip AF bus altogether.

I, too, did not know there was a shuttle/train, since I always arrive in Termnal 2, and from there it's a bus, or a walk - I've done both.

I take the Air France bus, if my guess is that traffic is not too bad (Sunday is always good), and the RER when its rainy, or because of the time of day, my expectation is that the roads are not "fluid". Of course how much luggage I have, or my hotel location also influence the decision.

Thanks again for the good info. Looks like that will be our plan.

As far as returning goes, when we by our ticket at CDG, can we buy a round trip ticket? Is it open ended or do you have to designate a particular return date?

And concerning the return, do we take the RER B back? How do you tell which train is the one going to CDG? I assume trains going to different destinations go through the Luxembourg stop. As you can tell, my train travel experience is VERY limited.

Thanks again for the help.

All covered in the thread link I posted in greater detail. There is no such concept as "round trip" they are simply 2 tickets per person that don't expire. Just go ahead and buy four for the 2 of you and tuck the other 2 away for the return.

es, the RER B is your return. The trains marked for CDG and there are boards on the platform which indicate which trains are coming next. Be sure to get an express, the indicator board will show fewer stops lit.

Ahhh.... I get it. That should cover it.
Thanks so much.

Concerning the actual buying of the tickets... Since we'll be going from CDG to the Luxembourg stop (Zone 5 to Zone 1) do I need to specify the specifics of my ticket purchase? Or just tell them I need a 4 tickets (2 for the return).
Thanks

Standing in Line for RoissyBus
 

What is unpleasant about taking the Air France bus is the fact that the French do not know how to stand in a line - anywhere. :( Everyone just tries to clamor aboard without any regard for the comfort or well being of his/her fellow passengers. I find this to be a French cultural difference. They refuse to form a queue anywhere we would normally think it appropriate - post office, grocery store, train station, theater, or, in particular the AIR FRANCE ROISSY BUS. This drives most Americans nuts but is something one must contend with when visiting France.:eek:

Thanks to everyone for suggestions and instructions on getting from CDG to Paris. It was as "adverstised" Jumped on the RER and got off at Luxembourg station and our hotel was a short 5 minute walk. Saw Cafe Rostand.

CDG taxi fare?
 

What is a taxi from CDG to the 6th arr running these days?

Will need a cab from CDG1 to St. Paul, Marais in November, daytime. Any ideas how much that will run. I guess around 60 Euros. What do you think?

Till

Just found a calculator at www.taxisg7.fr

It is not super easy to use but works. They say it will be between 45 and 59 Euros and between 25 and 29 minutes. The price differential is pretty huge. I suppose that accounts for extra passengers or pieces of luggage.

Anyway, consider my question answered. I hope the link helps some here.

Till

No, I think it just accounts for the variability in traffic flow. Paris taxi fares are calculated using a combination of time and distance. Extra passengers and pieces of luggage have fixed fees that would then be added if needed.

I need to get my family (2 adults, 3 kids, oldest being 12) back and forth between CDG and Paris. It's been awhile, and I've been spoiled in other European cities by incredibly cheap public transport to the airport (one of the few bargains in Western Europe for Americans).

It doesn't appear that any of my options for CDG are particularly good value. The RER seems to be about 8 euros per adult (and the rules indicate my 12 year old is an adult -- is that actually enforced?) and about 5 1/2 euros for kids. That's about 35 euros (or more than US$50) for my family each way -- not the deal of a lifetime.

The Air France bus goes near our Etoile hotel and, if I purchase a roundtrip ticket and get a "group discount" (4 or more) it seems comparable in cost and perhaps slightly more convenient.

I also see I can't get 5 people into a Paris taxi, so that seems out of the question. I priced a couple "shuttle" services, but they seem at least twice the price of the RER or AF shuttle.

Does anybody have any other suggestions for family transport between CDG and Paris? Are there any family discounts I'm overlooking? I also looked at various Paris transport passes, but they don't seem to actually save you any money over buying your airport train tickets and then buying the carnets to ride the Metro during your Paris stay. Are there any private guys with, say, a minivan, that I could hire for 40 or 50 euros to get to the airport?

Thanks for any suggestions.

iahphx, at the airport you will be able to get a mini-van style taxi that will take all five of you. There will be an extra fee for passengers 4 and 5 (€2.80 each, I think).

If the AF bus goes near your hotel, that would be much more hassle-free and comfortable than the RER.

Thanks -- that "minivan taxi" is what I had in mind. When I crunch the numbers using current prices, it looks like both the RER and the AF Bus would cost about 40 Euros (US$60), and I'd still have to hoof it to my hotel. Seems like a lousy deal for a family -- although, as you say, I think the AF Bus would be better for me than the RER.

Does anyone have any current pricing info for the minivan? I hope it's not too much more than 50 euros.