College students getting from CDG or Orly to city center

If you are flying from the US probably you will be landing at CDG, but if you can get a flight to Orly that is cheaper and closer to town.

A taxi is your absolutely best bet on arrival with luggage. 3 people ride for about 30-35 Euros from Orly to the center and about 50-55 from CDG. Public transport from Orly for 3 is about 36 Euro. It is 10 a head from CDG on the train. And with the train you have to lug bags up and down stairs and are very vulnerable to pickpockets with all your stuff.

On arrival at CDG all 6 of you should go to the taxi queue (don't accept offers from anyone who approaches you, these are major scammsters) Have one person let the dispatcher know that there are 6 of you, pointing to your group in line. Then wait your turn and the dispatcher will match you with a van type can that can take all 6 and your luggage. The cost will be the meter (about 50-55) plus 3 Euro for each of the 4-6th passengers and one Euro for each bag in the trunk past 1 -- so my guess would be about 65 Euro for your group, maybe 70. It would be 60 to take the train.

The train is great once you are settled in, but a taxi is best on arrival especially with several people.

What an exiting trip -- have a marvelous time in Paris.

The Paris airports authority has a big website http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en/homepage On the opening page you can click the Access button to find your commuting options. The regional mass transit authority also maintains a comprehensive web presence with interactive tools to plan step-by-step transport for wherever, and whenever, you want to travel by Metro, bus etc. It's an essential companion for a visit to Paris http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/ These days, of course, both are concerned about posting disruptions to service. Practice using such tools ahead of time will make all of you more comfortable once your feet are on the ground. Also helpful, if you want to travel outside the city: www.Parisbytrain.com and http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ for the country's rail system (this site was recently much improved.)

Or you can prebook a shuttle. For 5-6 people, you could book a private one, fit everyone inside, and maybe save a bit of money... maybe not, but it's convenient,

In choosing an airport, you'll probably find that best flight availability and lowest flight costs from the U.S. are via CDG.

Regarding transportation from the airport for a group that size with luggage, my suggestion would be to use a pre-booked Shuttle that uses a van. As I recall there are some listed in the guidebook and you'll find lots with a Google search. The Shuttle will drop you right at your hotel.

With a Taxi, you'd need to split the group into two or three unless you find a Taxi that has a Van. You could also take the RER "B" from either airport, but you'd still have to get from Gare du Nord (or other station) to the location of your hotel, via Metro or whatever.

After a long international flight, the easiest and quickest option will probably be the Shuttle.

You don't need to split the group for a taxi as there are many van cabs at the airports. Pre-booked shuttles have a reputation for unreliability and rarely save money over a taxi. If you do decide to go that route be sure to get one that doesn't require pre-payment because if they don't show, it will be 'your fault' and they won't give you your money back. Or if their driver doesn't show up for work, they won't show and you may or may not get your money back. Paris has excellent taxi service and excellent public transport; it is not a shuttle culture and not a customer service culture -- if they don't show, they don't care.

Thank you all so much for your advice!

With taking a taxi -- what about the possibility of rush hour? Wouldn't that make the taxi ride price skyrocket?

I've never once had a problem with Paris-Shuttle and I've used them numerous times to get to the airport at a good time.

If cost is a huge concern, take one of the buses: Les Cars Air France or Roissybus.

There are tons of ways to get into the city.

I've never had a cab ride cost more into the city than 60 Euro; cabs can use special lanes and they are pretty adept at avoiding blocks. Of course stuff can happen.

I know of two people whose shuttles simply didn't show for the trip to the airport leaving them to scramble to get to the RER or find a cab and cabs cannot always be obtained last minute for an airport run. Of course they usually show up -- it is a matter of relative probabilities. Paris does not have a customer service orientation. Twice in the US shuttles have failed to show. It was easy to call since I speak English and the customer service lines of shuttle companies in the US are manned. In one case, they sent another shuttle; in the other, they told me to grab a cab and they would reimburse and they did. The stories I have heard in France are 'they didn't show up and no one answered the phone and then they said 'we were there and you weren't' and didn't give us our money back.' Or 'they said the driver didn't show so they weren't coming.' If the AF bus or Roissy bus route is convenient to the destination that is also a way for a single traveler to save money if they don't want to take the train.

OK I expect that this is going to be the "pack heavy" trip. If you are spending a semester abroad there's going to be luggage. I think in that case a cab is really the best way to go...

I also think the 'six person van' mentioned above may not be an option as it generally doesn't have a ton of luggage space.

I would just budget to pay the cab fares!