We have a 4 hour layover at Charles De Gaulle and are wondering if a taxi to the Eiffel Tower and back to the airport is doable and what the costs for a taxi might be. Does anyone have any advice?
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
4 hours is probably not doable. Transit through CDG is slow, a taxi would take far too long, then you may have to wait in line at the tower, both to ascend and descend. Taking the train/Metro combination from CDG would be both cheaper and faster, but you still wouldn't have enough time.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
James,
It will take you about 20 minutes to get from La Defense to the Eiffel Tower by Metro.
I don't know how long the lines will be when you're there, but the official tower Web site says that a system is in the works to allow people to book tickets in advance online for specific elevator times. Again, I don't know if it will be operational by March.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
James: I am not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if 4 hours is enough time to go from La Defense by metro to the Eiffel Tower, go up the tower and then go back to La Defense to where your car is parked?
Posted by
Tampa, FL, USA
417 posts
Unfortunately, I think 4 hours is just shy of what you would need. With security and potential traffic, it seems too risky. Another trip I guess!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32257 posts
Todd,
As the others have said, this is probably not realistic especially with the "variables" that might be involved (traffic density, queues at the Eiffel Tower, etc.). I've found that travels rarely match even the most precise and carefully planned timing in my Itinerary.
When I was in Paris in May, I was speaking with another traveller on the RER ride to Gare du Nord, who also wanted to see the Tower. However, he had a longer layover (about 8 hours) prior to a flight for the Greek Islands where he was going to be working for the summer. I helped him with directions on the Metro stops to the Tower, which worked well since I was also going to Ecole Militaire. Hopefully he was able to get back to CDG in time for his connecting flight.
It may be possible under ideal circumstances to make that trip with a four hour layover, but there's no way I would try it.
Cheers!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Well, James, if you are able to reserve in advance to go up the Tower, that might work, but I have no idea if that new reservation scheme is in place yet. Otherwise, depending on time of day, month of year, inclement weather or fine weather, you may be able to do what you want to do. I think I remember you saying in a previous post some time ago that this was important to your wife, so if you make the effort and it doesn't work out it will at the very least be a star in your crown.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9109 posts
They're currently testing the new reservation system. Last time I checked you could only reserve two weeks ahead of time:
http://ticket.toureiffel.fr/index-sete-sete-pg1-lgen.html