Taxi from Gare Montparnasse to near Bois de Vincennes? Or Metro

I don.t know exactly what a taxi would cost for that journey, but Daumesnil only has one escalator at one exit, and depending on what line and direction you’re arriving on, it may be impossible to avoid stairs. (The difficulty is getting to the exit with the escalator.) Plus there is a lot of construction in the area, and walking around Place Félix Éboué hasnot been easy.

Thanks, Clawssmith! I appreciate the heads up regarding construction. I saw on line there was going to be work around bus line 87 which we often used when we stayed in the area before. We won't be there until October good to know about the stairs. So it looks like taxi.

years ago we needed to get from Gare Montparnasse to an apartment in the 11th -- so close to Vincennes. It took an incredible amount of time as we were bogged down in cross town traffic. I would never take a cab cross Paris unless I had a lot of luggage that would make using the train difficult. I don't remember what we paid but it was about twice what I expected as we sat in traffic.

We had a similar experience taking a cab from the Fondation Louis Vuitton to a place in the 13th -- were late to a concert because the cab trip was so long and bogged down.

Thank you, Janet. I feel rather stuck. We will be hauling 2 large and 2 small suitcases minimum. Which would make it difficult going up and down stairs and escalators (even if they happen to be working) on the Metro. On the other hand, I don't want to spend hours in a taxi in midafternoon traffic and then pay a high fee. I remember taking a taxi from near Bastille a short distance to the 5th arrondissement which wound up costing us more than half the fare to take a taxi all away from CDG to our accommodations in Paris! Looks like this requires further perusal on my part.

Kay,
I fear that with your larger amount of luggage a taxi would be easiest, even though you may pay more. Or Bolt (the French Uber, which I hear is better than Uber for Paris) maybe could be a bit cheaper, but they can't use the bus lanes as taxis can, so are possibly slower. Paris left bank to CDG is 65 euros for up to 4 persons and luggage. 56 euros from the right bank, likewise. Be kind to yourself and take a taxi since you have large bags, and the more you tote onto the metro, the harder it is to guard against pickpockets. We are 81 and 82 and feel we owe it to ourselves after many years to splurge for the occasional taxi. In the larger picture of the trip cost, it is a worthwhile expenditure for us.
Bonne chance!

I also recommend using the taxi, but use official Paris taxis. Consider using the G7 app on your smartphone. It works similar to the Uber or Bolt apps but Paris taxis can use the bus lanes where the others cannot. With that amount of luggage and the likelihood of stairs in the metro, I think it will be a much better experience.

It seems you've got two choices; schlep your multiple suitcases up and down stairs; around possible out of order escalators or sit in a taxi knowing it might take some extra time and a few extra euros; but you are busy looking out the window thinking "I'm in Paris!" Neither is ideal, but if I were 80 I'd choose the taxi (use the G7 Paris taxi app). My 60 year old self had luggage fall down the train steps back on to my shin. I still have a divet in my shin a year later as a reminder.

We used the G7 app a lot when in Paris.

Thanks again, everyone! It looks like we will take a taxi (I imagine there is a taxi stand at Gare Montparnasse, eliminating the need to call a taxi). It probably will take a while, but c’est la vie. Your input is much appreciated.

definitely use the taxi stand -- my memory is that it is underground at Gare Montparnasse. If you order a cab on the app it will cost a 4 Euro fee. If there is still time to think about it, reconsider how much stuff you are hauling. We are your age and we now each have a medium backpack as our carry on and for short 2 or 3 days side trips for train travel and then one carry on size suitcase. So we CAN climb metro stairs if we absolutely must -- although we don't. You would be surprised at how little stuff you can by with on a trip and less stuff makes it all easier. (and if you forget something, any Monoprix super store will have it). Cabs can take bus lanes but traffic is still an issue but if you have to go that far from the station then there is no good other choice.

FWIW. the Port Doree entrance to Bois de Vincennes is very near one of the lakes, which is lovely to stroll around and also has row boats for rent. It is a nice area of the park for a picnic or stroll or lazy afternoon.

Thanks, Janet. I agree that we take too much with us when traveling. We’ve been trying to figure out how to get by with less. Less clothing, not an issue. Except we need clothing for hot weather & rain. We go for 5 or 6 weeks and stay in gites (or Vrbo when in cities) so we can cook. It feels like we’re moving to France for the duration. We’re also taking Rick‘s guides to London & Paris & not a small amount of paperwork as I am a belt &suspenders kind of person. It adds up. Aw, for the good old days when we were immortal! On the other hand, we’re happy that we can still travel! So thanks again for your help with this issue and all the issues in the past when you have given excellent advice.

Kay, do you have an iPad Mini or iPad or Kindle? Although I still sometimes get Rick's guidebooks for planning purposes if I think I am going to need information from them when traveling I go ahead and spring for the e-version on the Kindle app. Not having the paper guidebook can save a lot of weight! I also find that more often now, once I have an itinerary in mind I'm more likely to go to an official website to check opening times/prices rather than depend on a guidebook.

I am a light packer so take this for what it's worth....but I start out with a packing list, pare it down, then weigh each item on my digital kitchen scale. It's amazing the difference in weights of a plain white tee shirt. 4 short sleeve tees, 1 or 2 long sleeve tops and 2 long sleeve quarter zip toppers works for me for 4-5 weeks. 3 bottoms (will be taking a pr of capris for the next trip as I am going to SW France and expect to need clothing for warmer weather. I'll wash them out and dry the waistband with a hair dryer if they don't dry overnight. Anyway, I am 75 and could not handle a large suitcase - I can do fine with my 21" roll aboard.

Thanks Pam. I agree that paper guidebooks weigh a lot. Previously I had torn out the parts of the guidebooks that I would use and just taken those on the plane with me, then taken the specific pages needed for that day when I go out. With these 2 guidebooks, however I feel like I would wind up taking 9/10 of each one! I've tried Rick's guidebooks on my Kindle but have had too much difficulty flipping back and forth for information like I do on the paper guidebooks. For walking around a city I find my Kindle too bulky/heavy. I normally wear a SMALL "Fanny pack" in which the Kindle will not fit. I think maybe my husband can read whatever is on my Kindle on his iPhone. I'll check with him about that. Anyway, I certainly appreciate your input. So thanks again.

One possible compromise is that you might take a bus. The bus lines in Paris are quite good, and if you do not go during rush hour you could get your luggage on a bus. It would be cheap, and you only have a couple of steps up to get on the bus. But you might have to change buses - do not know about that. It is probably about as quick as taking a taxi as it gets the advantage of special lanes, altho it will make a bunch of stops.

Thanks, adodd. I've been trying to figure out if we can do this via bus and tram. Bonjour RAPT shows me a route using bus and tram or possibly 2 buses but I only see dates for these options through June or July. We are looking at early October. When I put in early October everything I get for public transportation involves the Metro (i.e. stairs). So my current idea is to check the site again in late August or September to see if there is a bus for bus + tram option available. I figure we could try for that knowing we could take a taxi if the bus/tram idea doesn't work.

And thanks, Janet for the heads up about the taxis being underground at Gare Montparnasse. What, oh what would I do without this community?!!!

Getting from the trains at Montparnasse to eastbound line 6 is actually step-free. However, there will be steps at Daumesnil on line 6, I am pretty sure about that. If there is an escalator, it will only be part of the way.

I cannot imagine a scenario where a cab costs 55€, though. 30€ would be the max. I typically pay 25 from Montparnasse to République, a similar distance.

And there are two cab ranks at Montparnasse. One is right above the tracks (accessed by escalators from the middle of the platforms), and one is off to the left as you leave the front end of the tracks. It does not matter which one you use: just follow the signs.

There’s no bus between Gare Montparnasse and that neighborhood. The bus schedules aren’t displaying that far ahead, but the routes change very little.

Thanks, balso. Very reassuring to hear that a taxi most likely it will not cost us €55! Also good to know about the 2 ranks. Sounds like maybe the one off to the left as we leave the front end of the tracks might not involve stairs or escalators which would be helpful.
And thanks, clawssmith. Yes, I see no direct buses. For the near future schedules I see either a bus to a tram or a bus with a transfer to another bus. I will check again closer to our arrival time but is looking more and more like a taxi might be best for us.