We arrive in the airport at 8:55 PM and leave just after 9 o’clock the next morning. My wife and I have never been to Paris and would love to at least get in to the city and see some sites and maybe have dinner - is this at all possible? Is there anyone who provides a service like this? Any suggestions about how to do this or what to do during this layover, even though it’s throughout the night, would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
3439 posts
The RS Paris guidebook includes instructions for a "Floodlit Paris Driving Tour by Taxi or Uber" that might work for you. I have the 2019 RS Paris book, and in that edition, it starts on Page 506. I would stay at a hotel by CDG, and hire a driver in advance.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2545 posts
Keep in mind that it could be an hour or more from when you arrive to when you get through immigration, pick up any bags, and get through customs. Would you then go check in to a hotel near CDG to drop off bags? Or stay in a hotel in the airport? Then it’s at least 30 minutes by taxi to central Paris. So maybe 11/11:30 by the time you get into the city. At least traffic should be light! The lights on the Eiffel Tower are on until 11:45 pm. Not sure what other sights might be lit up later.
You’ll want to be at the airport 3 hrs before your flight if it’s your return flight to the US. I think I’d stay at an airport hotel to make it easier. If you plan to stay in central Paris, traffic can be bad in the morning.
Posted by
Chicago
8551 posts
kitchens close at 10 at most restaurants, so you will need to identify a spot that serves late at night -- not easy but perhaps possible with research. I know La Coupole in Montparnasse serves till about midnight and I am sure there are other spots. It is one of the great brasseries of Paris. The Bouillon Chartier in Montparnasse is open till 11:30 or so. Alas the Seine cruises end at 9:30.
I'd get an airport hotel -- I like the Novotel which is comfortable, quiet, has a decent breakfast and is relatively cheap and is at the RER B station to go into Paris. Drop bags, get on the train into town and spend a few hours and take a cab back to the airport -- or perhaps even the RER B. The train is 11.25.
You could take the metro to Trocadero to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at the top of the hour. If you ate at the brasserie recommended above, La Coupole, you could get the 6 metro at Edgar Quinet which is quite nearby and take it to Trocadero which has the best view of the tower. I would think you could get a cab to the airport from that area and because it is the right bank, it would be 55 Euro.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11877 posts
What is the origin of the inbound flight and destination of the outbound flight?
Checked bags?
These factors affect how much time you really have to play tourist, around when you will sleep.
Posted by
OP
Paso Robles, CA
39 posts
Arriving from Athens at 8:55 PM; on to San Francisco 9:15 AM next morning . . . about 12 hours over all.