TRANSPORTATION -PARIS AIRPORT to HOTEL

Posted by Belinda (Oakland, California, USA) on 04/23/08 09:37 AM

HELP!!! From Charles De GAulee airport, it was suggested to take the train nearby into town. The station we would get off would be 1 -2 blocks to the hotel. Concern of having room on the train for our luggages. Another alternative is a shared shuttle. There are 6 of us. That takes us directtly to the hotel. Cost more of course.

YOUR EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE,AND OPINIONS PLEASE. We are leaving next week for Europe.

Is the distance from the airport to the train station, terminal 1, far??? Difficulty of wheeling the luggages onto the train and streets????

PLEASE HELP! PLEASE HELP!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Posted by Tim

Minneapolis, MN, USA

04/23/08 09:57 AM

8700 posts

If you have wheeled bags, you won't have difficulty pulling them on the street. No problem if they're light enough for you to lift above your heads and small enough to fit on the overhead racks. (Think airline carry-on.) If they're too big to fit in the racks, then you'll have to keep them by your feet and the issue will be whether or not you can readily carry them on and off the trains.

You will ride the free CDGVAL driverless shuttle train from Terminal 1 to the CDG 1 RER station. The fare for the RER B is 8.20€ and includes transfers to other RER lines and/or Metro lines until you exit the system.

A minivan taxi will cost a lot less than a shared shuttle for a group your size. You'll find them in the line-up with the standard-sized taxis at the taxi ranks at the terminal.

Posted by Jona

Paris, France

04/23/08 10:02 AM

506 posts

Belinda -

Difficulty with luggage would most likely depend on how much and how big your are bringing. If there is more than one bag per person (less than 50 lbs) I would think no problem. The train is at Terminal 2 and Terminal 1 so you will only need to follow the signs to the station.

At the link below you can find details (scroll for maps) about the airport, RER train and private shuttle.

http://bonjourlafrance.net/air-france/paris_charles_de_gaulle_airport/cdg-airport.htm

Posted by Mike

Los Angeles, CA, USA

04/23/08 04:06 PM

1449 posts

Belinda, how about just picking one forum to post your question instead of posting it here and in the "transportation" forum?

If you're getting people to help you for free, the least you can do is avoid cluttering the website with multiple postings? You know, the Golden Rule kind of thing, Do Unto Others... ? I know your question is important to you, but so is everyone else's to them. Imagine how the site would look if everyone posted their questions in multiple forums "just to see what people say".

Posted by Joann

Massachusetts, USA

04/23/08 07:12 PM

422 posts

Belinda, I have always paid extra for pre-reserved private car or shuttle service when I go to a new city for the first time. The peace of mind & ease of finding my way the first time is worth the extra cost. With six people in your party, the cost may not be too bad. Two years ago we paid about $100 usd with tip for a private car for 2 from CDG. Of course the euro was only about $1.30 then. I'm not sure of the company I used, but would be happy to look it up for you. Just send a private e-mail & I'll see if I can find it.

Posted by Charlie

Lodi, California, USA

04/23/08 08:38 PM

149 posts

Once I had trouble getting our larger rolling bag through the exit turnstile on leaving the RER/Metro station. I got stuck when the bars closed on me after the bag went though. A couple of French men helped by forcing the bars open. Another time we got on a local RER train instead of an express RER at commute time and because the train was so full of commuters, it was difficult to get ourselves and our bags off at our station. Next time we will take the Roissy Bus or the Air France bus into Paris. The Air France bus is about 14 euros and I think the Roissy Bus is about 9 euros.