My husband and I will be arriving at CDG on American Airlines on April 30 at 10:40 a.m. We want to travel to Rouen that same day by train. We had originally planned on using RER/Metro to reach Gare St. Lazare, but are having second thoughts about managing luggage and figuring out the train and Metro transfers after a long flight from the US. In reading this forum and others, it sounds like our other options are private transport (50-60€); taxi (at 50€ for the two of us); or a shared shuttle (up to eight people at a slightly lower cost than a taxi). Is this correct? Are there any other options? Do you have recommendations for reliable shuttle services? If using a shuttle, must we book in advance or can arrangements be made after our arrival? Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
A shared shuttle with maybe 7 or 8 people may be cheaper than a taxi but the driver decides which passengers get delivered first to their destination. If you get delivered last, will that allow you to catch your train to Rouen? Take a taxi, pay the 50 euro, unless saving 5 or 6 euro is really that important to you.
Posted by
Paris
9580 posts
What Norma said. The taxi is fixed rate of 50€ and it will take you there instead of dropping off two or three other couples or families first.
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks ... that's what I surmised ... and it's not worth 5-6 euros. Just checking all my bases. Next question - the posters on this forum and others recommend allowing at least a four-hour window to get through CDG and reclaim baggage. Is that really the norm, or could I expect something less.It's been many years since we went through Paris, but that seems excessive.
Posted by
Green Bay
20103 posts
I guess my question is, you have already decided on spending an extra 29 EUR to take a taxi, now why not spend an extra 34 EUR and buy tickets when you get to St Lazare? That is the price difference between 2 Intercities Prems tickets and 2 Flex tickets. That way you don't have to sweat anything. You get to St Lazare when you get there and buy tickets for the next train. They go about every hour and more frequently at rush hour.
Posted by
Middletown, RI
1138 posts
Another option is the Roissybus. It departs right outside of arrivals at CDG, and drops you off right net to the Opera Garnier (7-minute walk to Gare Saint Lazare) for 12€ per person. No changes, no stairs, no escalators. But with luggage and two people, it isn't too much more to get a door-to-door taxi (50€ for both). Just get one from the official taxi line—not from people that approach you in the airport. Neither of these options require pre-booking.
My too sense...
Posted by
OP
8 posts
Thanks for your suggestions and info -- we are going with the cab option. I always planned on buying train ticket at station, rather than in advance. Just hope it doesn't take hours to clear the airport. I'd like to be in Rouen by 16:00 if possible.