Wondering whether to splurge on taxi or take RER/Metro to Gare Montparnasse.
How packed will the train be mid-week, around 9am? I am a single person with a medium sized suitcase, traveling in Oct.
Am I likely to be squished the entire journey? How full is the train typically when you board at CDG during that time of week?
Thank you.
We were just in Paris in April. In the past, we've always taken the RER; but this time we decided we were going to take a taxi. Nice splurge! Don't think we will ever do it any other way again. Just follow the signs at CDG for the official Paris taxi line; it moves quickly and is a fixed price. Of course, we took it to our hotel, and would have had to walk from the station to the hotel with luggage. Taking the RER/metro from CDG to Gare Montparnasse is probably a lot more streamlined and more easily navigated than getting to a hotel.
It's not full at all when you board at CDG, but fills up as you head into town. It's not a pleasant experience as there is nowhere to fit your luggage and as the commuters join the train to go into Paris it gets packed. I do it because it's free for me with my yearly metro pass. But I can't say it's delightful.
Taking the RER/metro from CDG to Gare Montparnasse is probably a lot more streamlined and more easily navigated than getting to a hotel.
Not necessarily, because getting to Montparnasse requires a change to the metro, and Montparnasse is on the far side of Paris from Gare du Nord, where one arrives from CDG.
It's possible that going to a hotel you might be right on the RER B line, or along the RER A line, which is a cross-platform transfer. So if you were staying along either of those lines, I would judge that as easier than getting to Gare de Montparnasse.
It's a shame that the Cars Air France don't exist any more. That was a nice "in-between" option for getting to Montparnasse.
We've always used RER B to get to and from the airport. Our hotels have always been close to RER B or a metro. If we'd have to walk a fair distance to our hotel, then I believe we'd spring for a taxi. I've done RER B both with my husband and on my own. We typically have a back pack each and a small carry on size suitcase. I've always been able to get a seat which I think is nice for comfort and easier to hang on to/contain my belongings.
Kim, makes me wonder how all the people who visit Paris who haven't been on this forum; who are without the benefit of your info, wisdom, and generous insight navigate the city. You really offer great concierge level knowledge, and I've meant to thank you sooner!
You won't be squished at the beginning, but it will get quite crowded if you're at peak times am/pm. Note that the cars are arranged so that luggage is difficult to manage if you are sitting--especially if your case is large enough to fill the space between the facing seats. People can and will want you to move it out of the way so they can sit. So see if you can balance it on your lap, or consider moving to stand once the car gets super crowded. Or get smaller luggage.....I did it, again, this spring w/a small 18" roller and backpack. My spouse and I sat facing each other w/roller cases stacked so we didn't occupy extra seats or block the aisle.
acechrist,
Maybe it's because of my age, but even if I were alone, I would splurge on a taxi. Changing stations, with a medium suitcase, after a long flight, possibly being squished...all would make me start putting aside money for the taxi ride. Save 5 bucks a week for 12 weeks and you're almost there!
We did the rer from cdg to the Latin Quarter area. I was fine but my husband who is a bit older, had trouble with all the stairs in the stations while handling a suitcase. Plus we felt a bit stressed once it was sardine can packed as we got closer to the city.
You can take the RER B to Denfert Rochereau and transfer to the 6 metro to Gare Montparnasse. This is definitely the most expeditious way to go if you can easily manage your luggage on stairs. You will have stairs at the transfer and again probably at the station in Montparnasse although as a train station there will be a lot of escalators which will get you up to the platform level.
I'd planned on taking the RER from CDG to the Latin Quarter but cannot do stairs; (bad back)... are there not any elevators or escalators?
Thanks,
Jean
RER from CDG to the Latin Quarter but cannot do stairs
St Michel has an elevator that is usually operative. For someone with luggage and limited mobility, the "Latin Quarter" can be a very big area. I suggest you take an official Taxi Parisien from CDG, fare is fixed at 65€. Alternatively, you could take the Roissybus to Opéra, then bus to your destination.
My hotel is 400 meters from the Luxembourg station. I will have a crossbody purse and an 18 pound (maybe less) backpack. My understanding is that this station isn't as deep as some. I have taken a taxi on my last 2 trips to Paris, but I think I will try the RER this time for comparison. Of course, if I am feeling too fuzzy after the flight, always have the option to change my mind!
Generally the RER has elevators and escalators but I often stop at Luxembourg Gardens stop of the B and have not seen those there. Not saying they aren't -- I have been out and about and not carrying luggage, so I didn't search, but I have not seen them. The exit at the gardens is definitely via stairs.
If I had a bad back and luggage, I'd take a cab -- why put yourself through that at the start of the trip?
The RER B station at the Jardin du Luxembourg has elevators from either side of the tracks. The elevator on the east side goes up to street level. At an intermediate level, those taking the west side elevator can cross over and access the east side elevator to reach ground level.
The elevator into the Luxembourg RER station is the glass cabine on boulevard Saint Michel across the street from Luxembourg Gardens.
If you take the RER at non-peak hours (roughly between 09:00 and 16:00) there are RER B trains that basically run "express" from the airport to Paris, i.e. they only make one stop at Aulnay-sous-Bois between the airport and Gare du Nord, skipping 8 intermediate stops.
These do not get you to Paris any earlier than the RER B trains that make all stops (i.e. although the travel time to Paris is shorter, they don't overtake the local train running in front of them) but I often prefer taking these trains and will specifically wait to take one of them because I find it helps with the crowding issue, since you don't have the train filling up at all those intermediate stops. Of course, once it arrives in Paris it will get crowded anyway, but that's unavoidable no matter what!
The first time I visited Paris I rode the RER B from CDG. The only complaint that I recall from doing so is how time-consuming it was. The last two times to Paris I have taken Uber, once from CDG and once from Orly. I wouldn't call the ride into Paris exactly scenic but I found the trips very interesting, allowing for a peek at things a tourist doesn't spend his time looking at otherwise; and just so easy, once your cases are in the boot and you're sitting comfortably. The Uber rendezvous point at CDG, though far from the arrival gates, is organized well and makes finding your driver easy. I cannot say the same at Orly, but at least Orly is a smaller airport and nominally less crowded. Uber fares are comparable to taxi fares, a bit cheaper in fact.
I often use the RER B between CDG, Paris and St. Remy (so all 5 zones). During my current visit (Sept. 2024) I noticed that there is now a luggage rack at one end of (most?) RER B cars, see here: Picture on RER B
The two times I've used the baggage space, it was far from full, but I did not start at CDG.
Agreed, the ride into the city isn't especially scenic but there's that one point where you pop out of a tunnel and ... there's the city and the Seine. Pretty cool.
so here are my options and I’ll be honest I go to Paris probably an average of twice a year
I’m staying near the RER B line and I’m not exhausted I take that. My next trip I’m staying at the Marriott, which is about three blocks from the stopand that’s what I’ll probably do.
if my hotel is not near that line or I’m exhausted I take a flat rate taxi. Do not accept a ride from anybody in the airport unless you just want to be ripped off.
For apartment rentals I have had the apartment company set up a private driver . The problem with this is you’re going to be in traffic longer and you’re going to pay more but a lot of times the place I rent from is not open on weekends and the driver can get me in the apartment and make sure I know how to use keys etc. I only do this if the apartment company I’m using does not have a meet on arrival service on the day I arrive.
in absolutely last place is Uber. Let’s see it’s a longer trek to your ride., you can sit in traffic longer, you can be subject to surge pricing and drivers often Don’t know where they’re going in Paris. Why would I use Uber?
acechrist,
Taxis can use the bus lanes, Uber cars cannot, so taxis can skirt some of the traffic. Prices, IMO aren't that vastly different. I would get a taxi from the taxi line. It moves quickly.
