transport CDG to Paris

My husband and I used a service a few years ago from CDG airport to our hotel near the Eiffel Tower for the same reason you are.....too new to Paris and too old to fool with the trains. We used pariswebservices.com.......a very kind Korean driver held up a sign for us to spot him as we got our luggage at CDG......he drove us to the front door of our hotel in a large station wagon-type vehicle. We felt like the 60-70 euros we paid for transporting the two of us were well worth getting to our first stop safely.....and he was as kind as he could be. We were exhausted......fighting the trains and pulling luggage was too much for us to deal with......hope this helps. This was suggested to us in a guidebook of Rick Steves.

pariswebservices.com
12, rue de L'Exposition
75007 Paris

Whoever you spoke to at your hotel is mistaken. I have arrived at CDG with 5 people with luggage including checked bags and we fit into a taxi -- same for a group of 6 though we all had carryons. Just follow the signs and take a regular taxi unless you want to be met by a person with a sign at the baggage carousel. My husband insists on that so he takes a car service but he uses whatever one his hotel arranges -- and yes, he knows it costs more than the fixed rates and that the hotel is probably getting a cut of the fare. By the way, in case you do not know taxis for up to 4 persons and their luggage charge a fixed rate between CDG and Paris of 50€ for trips to and from the Right Bank and 55€ for trips to and from the Left Bank.

Be sure to go directly to the official taxi rank. There will be someone there who will help you get a taxi a suitable for your group. Do not accept a ride from anyone who approaches you in the terminal - these are illegal operators. Write the name and address, including the arrondissiment, of your hotel on a slip of paper to give the driver. If your hotel is on the Right Bank, also write 50€; if on the Left Bank, write 55€ - this is so the driver knows you are aware of the flat rate.

Let me just re-emphasize what JHK said. Your hotel is telling you wrong. Four people in a taxi with luggage from CDG is completely normal. Do NOT rent a van in advance.

Depending on where your hotel is, the fee will be 50 euros (right bank) or 55 euros (left bank). Don't let them try to stick you with any other charges.

And it sounds like when you LEAVE your hotel, you need to book directly with the taxi company rather than booking through the hotel. I don't know why they're trying to sell you something you don't need (I know THEY'RE not trying to sell you the van, as if they were, you wouldn't be having trouble booking it, but I honestly don't get why they're telling you something so nonsensical -- that you can, and have, find out by checking with other sources like this Forum!).

Note that what Jane mentions above might have been necessary prior to a couple of years ago, when the taxi fares were standardized. Now, there is absolutely NO REASON to do that (reserve a vehicle in advance). And in fact, it's more of a pain to hook up with them than just going to the regular taxi line!

grrrrrr . . . ( at the hotel, not at Jane!!)

Although some drivers seem not to like it, a regularly-sized taxi is legally required to accept 4 passengers. For more people, larger taxis are also available and someone at the taxi rank can call one if there's not one in the line.

yes a couple years ago my family of 4 took a taxi from the airport. We just went to the taxi rank.

Kim

with 4 they will probably put you in a van taxi which holds up to 7; but a regular taxi will also work. If you have tons of luggage the dispatcher will probably match you with a van. There are places where you are wise to arrange a shuttle or car ahead of time; Paris is not one of those places. Write the address and the fixed price on a card to give the driver so there is no confusion about address or price. It is 50 for 4 and luggage to the right bank and 55 to the left. No adds on and a tip not necessary unless extra service is performed. I give a couple of Euro if they hustle with the luggage etc.

Just want to thank all for taking the time to reply with such helpful advice. Merci beaucoup!

If you just go directly to the taxi stand, you will be fine. If you need a larger vehicle, they will put you in one.

In addition to the flat fee, the 4th passenger will have to pay 4 EU.
There are no fees for luggage. You will be put in a suitable vehicle that will hold all of you and your luggage.
Remember that a legitimate driver always stays in his vehicle. Don't go with anyone promising you a "good deal" - it won't be.
It's a good idea to print out the address of your hotel, including the Postal Code, so there won't be any confusion.