Gare de l'Est to Hotel de L'Empereur - Taxi or Metro?

Posted by Virkus (Minnesota) on 03/09/22 05:08 PM

Would it be easier to take a taxi or the Metro from the train station to our hotel upon arriving in Paris?

My wife, two teenage kids and myself will be traveling from Munich to Paris by train in July. We plan on arriving around 1800 (Thursday) at Gare de l'Est and will need to get to our hotel, Hotel de L'Empereur in the 7th. The hotel is within walking distance of the La Tour Maubourg Metro station. For luggage, we will have one larger bag, and each of us will have a carry on sized bag. The plan was to get a Navigo Easy card when we arrive, but thought it might be easier to get a cab for the initial trip to the hotel. I have navigated the Metro in Paris previously, but have never used a cab while there.

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

03/09/22 05:49 PM

9223 posts

Taxi. That way you won’t need to navigate anything but getting to the taxi rank.

Have the name and address of the hotel to gove to the driver. Have your Euros and/or credit card ready.

Say Bon Jour when you get in the taxi and Merci when you’ve paid for the ride and are exiting the vehicle. Politeness goes along way in Paris.

Should take 30-45 minutes depending upon traffic.
The Metro would require a change of trains.

Posted by steven

white plains, ny, usa

03/09/22 05:57 PM

4162 posts

You could do the metro with one change , but under the circumstances ( four of you , and rush hour ) a taxi would indeed be the wisest choice . Enjoy your stay at L'Empereur , I've stayed there a number of times and love the place . By the way , my wife just reminded me - there is a lift in the hotel , but it will only handle one at a time , perhaps two , sardine style , so be patient !

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

03/09/22 06:17 PM

14738 posts

I agree with the taxi suggestion. Like Steven, I have stayed here as well and a taxi is just easier than the Metro which requires a change.

I will also add that you are also near the Ecole Militaire Metro entrance. That station has always has had a staffed window if you want to buy your Navigo Easy cards from a person (including in October when I was there). There is also a Tabac on Avenue de la Motte-Picquet on the way to the Ecole Militaire Metro stop that sells Navigo Easy cards as well as Museum Passes. The last time I bought there, there was not a lot of English spoken but they got the job done with my dismal French and gestures.

https://goo.gl/maps/c8tKYTob5qTeqV396

A critically important thing to know is there is an Amorino gelato shop just down Rue Cler from Avenue de la Motte-Picquet, lol!!

Posted by Virkus OP

Minnesota

03/09/22 07:06 PM

20 posts

Thank you everyone for the advise and tips!

The overall trip will be 20 days and take us through Germany (Frankfurt, Rhine Valley, Heidelberg, Garmisch, Munich), Switzerland (Lauterbrunen) and France (Paris), and maybe a day trip to Salzburg. This is the 4th time I've planned this trip since 2020, and I'm still not sure I believe it will happen. But I have my fingers crossed and can't wait to show my family a little bit of Europe!