My tour starts 5/22 in Chartres. We have to arrange our own way to get from Paris to Chartres. The regular train would have been perfect, but just found out that there will be repairs on that train line and we have to travel in a roundabout way, changing trains twice.
I am traveling alone, and considered taxi/Uber instead, but that would run about. $400. So I was wondering if anyone has the same problem on that day 5/22 in the afternoon and would like to share the taxi?
Posted by
San Francisco area
1888 posts
Best of luck getting there! You may want to remove your email account from the post and have responders private message you.
Posted by
Phoenix🌵
3070 posts
I know nothing about blablacar but it's suggested as an alternative to the train on Road2Rio. Maybe someone who's used the ride share can comment?
Please write a trip report to let us know how you enjoyed the tour. I'll be on the South of France tour Sept 11. Enjoy!!
Rocket has a good point about removing your email for security. This is a public forum so anyone can see it.
Posted by
Chicago, IL 🌭🍕
531 posts
I'm also curious about the trains from CDG to Chartres. Everything I've looked up shows several changes (mix of busses and trains) and it looks very complicated. I don't want to pay for a taxi for that long of a trip, and the reviews for blablacar on Google Play are not good. Plus, I enjoy taking the train in Europe. However, with a big backpack on my back and jet lag, changing multiple times sounds exhausting. I'm not traveling until September, so I'm hoping the repairs are completed by then.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Starting from Paris (République) on this Sunday morning at 11 AM, Uber is quoting me 134€ + tolls to Chartres, so that's not as bad as $400.
It is still not great, though.
To make it a bit better, you could take the RER B to Massy Palaiseau and get an Uber there, for 100€. 30 min train ride from Châtelet followed by a 45 min drive down the motorway.
Posted by
Chicago, IL 🌭🍕
531 posts
Thanks @balso! Good to know Uber is still an option (and price isn't 'too' awful), however one thing I've noticed with Uber in Europe is they often have designated pick up spots. Taxis are sometimes allowed to go places where Ubers aren't (e.g., right up to the hotel entrance). And finding your Uber at some European airports can be challenging (e.g., Heathrow).
Personally, I love the train and like to get a solo seat and just chill out I listen to music during the ride. I also sometimes gets car sick, so Uber can be an unpleasant experience. 😆
I just hope it's not as complex when I go.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Uber at an airport or in a large train station can be challenging to find, you are right, but since the OP is coming from Paris, they can order where they are staying. And Massy-Palaiseau is not a huge station, so no issue there.
And, to the poster above: do not worry, this track work on the line to Chartres really seems to be restricted to a few weekends this spring. Incidentally, Massy-Palaiseau has direct trains from CDG so Uber from Massy could work for you too, if the usual trains from Montparnasse don't work on your days. Carsickness would be very unlikely, it's really a straight shot on the motorway between there and Chartres.