What is the best/reliable way to go from CDG to Gare St. Lazare for two tired seniors? Will be training to Giverny and hopefully getting in to our hotel somewhat early. Thanks.
Go to only the official taxi stand line at the airport; don't take rides from anyone that offers.
The fixed rate for a taxi from CDG to Gare St Lazare for two people is 56€. As noted above, be sure not to be distracted by people in the terminal trying to offer you what they will call an "official" taxi. Ignore them - follow the signs up high for the official taxi queue and only let the official directing the queue put you in a taxi .
And the meter should read 56 when it pulls out -- if it doesn't point it out. Learn the French for 56. And of course be lovely and great the cabbie with Bon Jour when you get in.
It's also a good idea to take a 3x5 or 4x6 card in which you have written "Gare St Lazare" and "56€" to hand to the cabby. Or at least it can't hurt !
Oh yes…vote #2 for Kim’s suggestion! I have abominable language skills and for me the 3x5 card is best. I also hold up my credit card and ask “OK?” before I let them load my bag.
Thank you all for your very kind suggestions. We look forward to our trip at the beginning of August.
Sincerely,
Mike and Janet
Honestly, if you are tired... Consider taking a taxi directly to Giverny from CDG. It should cost around 130€, give or take 15€ depending on traffic.
The train tickets from Paris to Vernon for Giverny cost about 15€/each (surprisingly expensive), so you'd spend 90€ for the taxi plus the train to Vernon, and you'd still have to get to Giverny from Vernon station.
Phrasing left me perplexed whether you hopefully were getting to your hotel early and then training to Giverny or wanting to get to Giverny directly from CDG, then Gare SL then Giverny?
What are you doing with your luggage? I believe, I think, there no place to leave your luggage at Vernon as there used to be. And why schelp them there anyway when you can leave at Gare. Besides the bus to Giverny matches up with the arrival of the train so don't know what would happen if you needed to find a place to leave your luggage at Vernon if the bus would have already left for the Gardens.