Private Shuttle from Charles De Gaulle

This is not normative for this culture and shuttles have the reputation of being unreliable. If they don't show they will just give the gallic shrug and say 'we were there but you weren't' while they pocket your money. So if you do decide to book such a shuttle, get one that doesn't require pre-payment.

It is so easy to walk out to the taxi queue and get a private ride via taxi into town that shuttles are just unnecessary. The dispatcher will match you with a vehicle that works with your size party. Have the destination written down including the zone so the driver knows for sure the destination.

When booking to return to the airport use the G7 English taxi line and make clear you need a larger cab for a party of 5 plus luggage. The 4th and 5th person is 3 Euro each and luggage is one Euro per bag in trunk -- otherwise these are added to the metered fare at the end of the trip. I'd never chance a shuttle TO the airport.

jr,

I believe there are some Shuttles listed in the guidebook and I'm assuming those will be reliable. I usually take a shared Shuttle TO CDG, but use the RER "B" to get FROM the airport into the city. A Taxi will likely be somewhat on the "pricey" side, even more so if the traffic is thick.

You could also use the Roissy Bus to Opera and then a Taxi from there to your hotel. You may find it helpful to have a look at the excellent www.parisbytrain.com website.

Why would you assume a shuttle listed in a guidebook is reliable? You can search the net and find lots of examples of people whose shuttle didn't appear to take them to the airport and they were told that a driver had not shown up for work, or the company denied they were ready to be picked up or the company simply didn't answer its phone. Of course most of the time it is okay -- but if it isn't it can cost you thousands and the company won't care. It is not the US. It is not a shuttle culture. There is not the same degree of customer service orientation as in the US.

It is so very easy to just walk outside and hire a taxi - it'll cost you about $80 - 100 depending on traffic but it's worth it to avoid the hassle of pre-hiring a shuttle and then hoping to find them when you arrive at the airport. I have always had excellent luck with shuttles and private car service but I know of others who have had problems.

I have used this service before,http://www.paris-shuttle.com.
Enjoy your trip.

We have used the http://www.bluvan.fr/ going to the airport 3 times. They were on time or maybe 5 minutes late or early, so be standing outside the hotel, apartment, etc. so they can see you with your luggage. I have not used them coming from the airport to Paris. I have used the Roissybus from the airport to Paris. See: http://www.francetravelplanner.com/go/paris/trans/air/roissybus.html. This site also discusses taking the train into town, which can be a faster option.

Typical door to door taxi service from the airport is about 45 Euro if you are in Montmartre or similary near the airport and about 55 across the river. Heavy traffic can boost it but we have never paid as much as 60 Euro for two people. Passengers above 3 cost 3 Euro add on apiece and bags in the trunk after the first are 1 Euro. You don't have to call at the airport, or wait or wonder where your ride is; you just line up, hope in a cab and go.

We used Super Shuttle a few years back for 5 of us. No problems.
We stayed near St Michel this past fall and used the RER. It was very easy for 2 of us, with 3 kids it might be more difficult if they are young.

From Janet's post:
"It is not the US. It is not a shuttle culture. There is not the same degree of customer service orientation as in the US."
Voila.

Thank-you for all of the kind advice. I think that we will just get into the taxicab line and take a cab in. I was worried that the cabs would have difficulty accommodating 5 people but this does not seem like a problem. I arrive on Saturday around lunch so the traffic should not be that bad. If I was traveling by myself, I would do the RER but with five people the RER will probably run about 50 Euros from what I have read so the cab won't be that much more expensive but it will be much less hassle.

jrwest1,
I don't think anyone above has told you that CDG taxis from the airport will definitely take 5 people.
See Susan's post above, where she mentions Super Shuttle but not general taxis.
3 of the 5 of you are children and that might make a difference.
But sometimes there is a legal limit of 4 in a taxi from an airport with arrival baggage.
I may have missed something above, but probably you will want to read the above posts again, to see if anyone has confirmed that taxis from CDG will take 5 people, even if 3 are children.

I only mention the details of this because, with 5 of you and 3 being children, this is a critical issue for you upon arrival.
Hope it goes ok and happy travels.

The person directing the cabs will get a minivan taxi for you.

That's the clarification the original post needed. Thank you, Bets.

We have used the blue van many times...they were very reliable.