Hi, My husband and I are flying into CDG next week, around 2pm. We'll be arriving at Aerogare 2, Terminal F. We're staying in a hotel south of the Seine near the Bibliotheque National. This is pretty far from the CDG airport. What is the best way --most cost efficient and easiest with luggage-- to get into Paris and to our hotel?
Posted by
Sacramento, CA, USA
158 posts
You might contact your hotel and see if they can assist you in an option that is workable. I would ask for two or three options from them....I am sure there is a "cut" for the hotel to recommend transportation but ...
They will not want to have guests complain about poor recommendations. Which could get posted on websites like tripadvisor.com etc
Good luck!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you're traveling light and can schlepp your own luggage, the cheapest way is to take the RER B to St-Michel Notre-Dame, then transfer to the RER C and take it to Bibliotheque Francois-Mitterand. Fare: 8.20€.
For less luggage handling (your bags go in the luggage bay), take Air France coach #4 to Gare de Lyon. Fare: 14€. Then take a short taxi ride to your hotel.
Posted by
Melbourne
7 posts
Hi Marie,
when we went to Paris, i tried following all the instructions to get the bus from the airport CDG T2 and could not find the bus and could get no help to do so. My husband and son were happy for me to make all the enquiries. So eventually i just approached a taxi and it cost us 40 Euro to our apartment in Androissment 7. I hope that helps, however there are busses from ouside T1 or the trains if this is too much. Getting back to the airport the driver charged us 60 euro because we booked. So check it out. Apart from all that the place was wonderful and the underground rail incredible.
Posted by
Olympia, Wa
9 posts
Rick's Paris book gives you step by step instructions on how to find the Air France bus. He also tells you where the ATM is so that you actually have the right currency to pay for the bus. they are pretty much just across the way from each other. Much easier and cheaper than the taxi ride. Kathy
Posted by
Lake Forest Park, WA, USA
365 posts
Marie, as you can probably guess, "cost efficient" and "easiest with luggage" are contradictory criteria. I have probably made this comment in this forum before, but it bears repeating: a taxi from CDG to your Paris hotel is worth the few extra $ that it costs compared to your public transport options. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big cheapskate and rarely take taxis. But when you arrive in a foreign airport and are jet-lagged and otherwise distracted and have not before tried to follow some instructions on hopping the train, just getting into a taxi and having them drop you at the front door in Paris is quite worth it. There are easy ways to save money while traveling and some people take great pride in saving a buck whenever and wherever possible, but let's face it...you're on vacation, and limiting stress is something you owe yourself.
By the way, I suggest the same thing for the return journey, especially since there's more luggage on the return. Your hotel can arrange it.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Marie: There is a way that is cost-efficient (read: cheap) and easy with luggage. It will cost you under 5 euro each. Go to Terminal 2A, and go out Door 9. There you will see a sign indicating a stop for Bus No. 351. This bus begins at Terminal 1 and terminates at Place de la Bastille in Paris. There will be few people on it when you board and there will be room for your luggage. Buy the tickets (3 per person) from the driver, take a seat and in less than an hour you'll be in Paris. Then take a taxi to your hotel. If you want most cost-efficient, this is it. Oh, and when you step off the bus at Place de la Bastille, there is a taxi rank right under your nose.