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20 hours in Paris - airport hotel?

We have a 20 hour layover on our way home from Italy in November. I realize it's off season, it's going to take forever to get in and out of the airport and we'll have very little time, but we are excited to see Paris for the first time none-the-less.

So we arrive at 2F @2:40PM and leave from 2E @10:40AM. The current plan is to stay at one of the airport hotels and train into town for the evening. Given the time of year, we are hopeful to visit a Christmas market and have a meal.

My question is this: is there any advantage to staying at the Sheraton that is IN the airport vs. the hotels near the RER station, like the Novotel and Ibis?

Thanks for your help!

Posted by
6431 posts

The CDGVAL shuttle will get you from the Ibis to Terminal 2 and the RER station lickety-split, so no worries there. We liked the Ibis fine, clean and comfortable enough with OK food. Sheraton will probably be better at higher cost, don't know about Novotel.

Your plan makes sense, gives you late afternoon and evening in the city but also time to make your AM flight. Plan to be at check-in by 7:40 or so, you can get breakfast later in the terminal if you want.

Posted by
10123 posts

Be sure to stay AT the airport, not near the airport. There are several Ibis and Novotel hotels in the area, but you want the ones at Terminal 3. The Sheraton is in Terminal 2.

Posted by
54 posts

Thanks for the advice. This forum is always so very helpful! We are definitely targeting the cheaper hotels at Roissypole, given everyone's agreement that the CDGVAL shuttle is totally no big deal - so far I like the looks of The Pullman.

Posted by
10123 posts

RoissyPole is not INSIDE CDG. You have to take a shuttle bus to get there. It's very confusing because CDGVal (an internal tram shuttle) is inside CDG, and takes you to the bus shuttle stop. Indeed, the CDGval is not a big deal to catch, but the shuttle buses, which you have to take afterwards to get to RoissyPole, are a pain.

With only 20 hours, I don't think you want to waste time waiting for a shuttle or having the shuttle arrive and find that it's already full.

That's why we said to pay attention that the hotel is in the terminal, not one of the external areas, such as RoissyPole.

Posted by
54 posts

Thanks. let me be clear. The hotels I'm considering are the ones at the CDGVal stop. The Ibis, Novotel, Hilton and Pullman. The airport stop named "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" on the RER-B, that also has a CDGVal stop.

Posted by
7981 posts

I usually chose the Novotel convenient to the RER and cheaper than the Sheraton; they are both AT not near the airport and the intra CDG transit takes you right to the terminal. The breakfast was included and was fine. I would go cheap, they are all convenient. I haven't stayed at Citizen M.

I think given your situation, staying at the airport is wise and you can stay in town till late, have a nice meal, stroll around Notre Dame at night (sooo beautiful) and have an extra hour in bed in the morning. Since you need to be at the check in at 7:40 this will be perfect.

You may have a restaurant picked out but we recently ate at L'Initial and had a simply wonderful 7 course menu for 48 Euro. It was our 'big dinner out' on our May trip and a great choice. It is near the river and Notre Dame on the left bank and so even though it was raining we walked around the Cathedral late after dinner before heading to Pont Marie metro and the train back to the 13th where we were staying. Reserve if you are interested. Very good restaurant at an amazing price for the quality.

Posted by
7731 posts

is there any advantage to staying at the Sheraton that is IN the airport vs. the hotels near the RER station, like the Novotel and Ibis?

no advantage. The Ibis is right at the terminal train shuttle stop. I was just there real simple.

Posted by
54 posts

Thanks! Novotel booked. For the date I needed, it was cheaper than all the Hilton, Pullman and CitizenM.

I appreciate the restaurant recommend as well. I'll look it up!