Hi, I've been searching for months to try to get to the CDG airport by 5 a.m. to catch my flight back to the U.S. I know the metro doesn't run until around 5 in the morning. I will be staying in a hotel by the Eiffel Tower and I don't think the night bus stops around there. Did anyone ride the night bus before? I know taxi will be expensive. Does anyone know how much it'll cost? I am on a tight budget, but will take the taxi if I have no choice.
Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Malaga, WA
8 posts
Take a taxi; well worth the convenience and certainty. Ask your hotel to arrange it and get a price (usually set) from them.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Taxi will cost between 50 and 60 euros, could be a bit more or a bit less, the system is a bit odd ( to us) as the taxi may arrive with a charge on the meter as they start the meter when they get the call , so from where ever they come from to your hotel, could be a little or a little bit more. LOL The solution is to go out to a taxi stand, but who wants to do that alone at 4 in the morning ! LOL Taxis charge more for night trips.
Have you consdered asking yur hotel if they can recommend a shuttle service that runs that early? Just email and ask, can't hurt. Also ask them what they think the charge for a taxi may come to.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Your cheapest route might be to take a taxi to Chatelet and then a Noctilien bus from there to CDG. #120 leaves Chatelet at 03:22 and makes its last stop at CDG at 04:20. The next #120 bus is an hour later. #121 leaves Chatelet at 04:17 and makes its last CDG stop at 05:15.
An alternative would be to spend your final night at a Formule 1, Etap, or Ibis hotel at CDG. Inexpensive with free shuttle service to the airport. Go to www.accorhotels.com and enter Roissy as the location. You want the Formule 1 Roissy Aeroport CDG PN2, Etap Hotel Roissy CDG Paris Nord 2, or any of the Ibis hotels listed as being within five minutes of the airport.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
251 posts
Whenever we fly out of CDG we always stay the night in the hotel at the Airport. It is convienient, there are wake up calls and breakfast VERY EARLY, and we never have to worry about catching the shuttle or Paris trafic etc....
Posted by
Carslbad, CA, USA
103 posts
Hi Maria.. We did the same thing in Venice.. stayed at an airport hotel ( Marriott) that offered complimentary shuttle service to our early morning flight..( They even accepted AAA) The 180 Eu seemed a little steep, but not when you consider the price of a taxi at that hour and the concern that you might miss your plane.. It helped to make our last night in Venice worry free and amazingly special. Bon Chance!!!! Kate
Posted by
NYC, USA
219 posts
I agree with Kate. You also do not want to worry about different modes of transportation that early in the morning. Look into various shuttle services online. Good luck.
Posted by
OP
Fremont, CA
4 posts
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I've looked into the option of staying in a hotel close to the airport awhile ago. However, I do recall reading (somewhere?) that many hotel shuttles don't run until around 6 a.m. However, I don't know how accurate that information is. Does anyone know of a hotel at CDG which offers shuttle service from 4 or 5 in the morning? If there's no shuttle, I know it's quite a walk, especially in the winter. By the way, it will be in January, so I know it will be extremely cold. Thanks!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
According to the Accor Hotels Web site, both the Formule 1 and Etap hotels I listed in my previous post say that free shuttle service begins at 05:15. The Ibis Paris Charles de Gaulle Aéroport/Terminal hotel is located next to Terminal 3. You can take the new CDGVAL automated shuttle train to any terminal from there. It runs 24/7.
Posted by
Niagara Wine Country, Canada
808 posts
Camp out at CDG the night prior! JUST KIDDING!! (anyone who knows CDG will definately NOT recommend this!!)
Posted by
EXTON, PA, USA
27 posts
WE HAD THIS VERY PROBLEM IN MAY....WE HAD THE HOTEL ADVISE ON A TAXI SERVICE. THEY ARRANGED IT WITH A COMPANY THEY HAD USED BEFORE. THE GUY WAS EXACTLY ON TIME AND ALL WENT WELL. WE DID NOT WANT TO FOOL AROUND--HAD TO BE THERE ON TIME. WHATEVER IT COSTS, IT IS WORTH IT.
Posted by
St. Louis, MO (formerly, Windermere, FL)
340 posts
Maria, We just returned from Paris with the same situation as you are in. We decided to stay at the Ibis at CDG and it worked out perfectly. It is built into terminal 3 and the shuttle train that runs to terminals 1 and 2 is right there, no need to even go outside. You don't have to worry about getting a cab or the weather or train strikes this way. The Ibis is a good, clean, budget priced hotel with a good breakfast buffet that starts very early since airline travelers are their main customer. We took the express RER train from Champ de Mars/Tour Eiffel station the evening before and we got off the train inside the airline terminal, went up the escaltor and in the hotel entrance. Just confirm the night before which terminal and gate you will be flying out of in the morning.