My family of 4 and I will be traveling into Paris on the Eurostar, arriving Sunday, June 21st at 7:20 PM. We will each have a 21" carry-on luggage and a personal tote. We need to get to our hotel near the Champs Elysees (Hotel Tilsitt Etoile). I welcome your feedback - should we simply find a taxi at the train station or schedule something in advance? Will we have any challenges of all of us and our luggage traveling together? What approximate cost and timing will this take?
Thank you!
I'd say taxi for the four of you with luggage, especially if two of you are either kids or seniors. You don't have to arrange in advance. Just turn right after the track area, you'll find taxis just outside the doors on that side of the station. There will probably be a line and hopefully a dispatcher. If your French isn't good, have the hotel name and address on a piece of paper to show the driver. I'm not sure what the fare will be, I'd think between 10 and 20 euros. You'll pay a small surcharge for each piece of luggage.
The alternative is Metro, which is less expensive but longer and more complicated, including a change of trains. It's a good way to get around Paris unencumbered, but I wouldn't use it with bags from Nord to a relatively nearby hotel, especially with a group.
This page from the "Paris by Train" website describes getting from Eurostar to Metro at Gare du Nord. To find the taxis, turn right instead of left and look for the "Taxis" signs. Should be no problem.
The best Metro option would be to walk via the underground passage to La Chapelle Metro station and take the No 2 line to Ternes, which is about 200 yds from the hotel. The walk to La Chapelle is about 500 yds and it is an elevated station, so there are stairs to climb. It is an option.
Another is to take the RER B or D to Les Halles and change to the RER A to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile which is about 300 yds from the Tilsitt. The advantage of this route is there are elevators and escalators to get you to the platforms and to make the platform change at Les Halles, although you will probably need to use stairs to exit at Etoile. These will cost 1.44 euro each if you buy a carnet (10-pack of single ride tickets for 14.40, available to buy on the Eurostar train).
Or take a taxi.
"The alternative is Metro, which is less expensive but longer and more complicated, including a change of trains. It's a good way to get around Paris unencumbered, but I wouldn't use it with bags from Nord to a relatively nearby hotel, especially with a group. "
Truer words were never written. Unless you're very familiar and very comfortable with traveling on subway systems with luggage, take the taxi to your hotel. Once you've stowed your bags, taking the Metro works great (and of course, from your hotel you can also walk to many places).
Yes, you should take a taxi. Sometimes the extra money is worth it, and I think it will be in this situation.
The La Chapelle stop at Nord is elevated but doesn't involve stairs (or at least not many) since there is an escalator that takes you up to the platform. It is a longist walk there but mostly just flat tunnels. If attempting the metro especially with luggage, you must be pickpocket proof. So don't attempt this if you carry a wallet in your pocket (front or back doesn't matter) and are juggling so much stuff that a purse or messenger bag is not well under control.
With 4 people I'd get in the taxi queue and the dispatcher will match you with the right size cab. 3 Euro for 4th person and one Euro for bag in trunk.
Thanks everyone for the great and prompt advice! We've decided to go with finding a taxi when we arrive and avoid some of the hassle. I really appreciate the posts!
I suggest you check a recent post in this forum about rogue taxi scams at Paris Nord. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/cabs-at-paris-train-stations
Also to help with your orientation at the big station, you can look at www.parisbytrain.com
