transportation from Charles de Gaulle to a paris hotel

Cathy, That Hotel is quite "distant" from the main part of Paris and about 30 kM from the airport, so that's not a good time of night to be arriving at CDG. Is there any possibility he could get an earlier flight? The transportation choices are: > Taxi - would probably be expensive, but at that time of night traffic should be light. > Shuttle - I don't have any information on the costs, but that would also likely be expensive with only one passenger. > RER - this is the method I'd probably use. He will probably have to buy tickets at the staffed ticket window as the automated Kiosks only take "Chip & PIN" credit cards and Euro coins. The route to follow is: 1.) RER "B" from CDG to Châtelet Les Halles (direction Saint-Rémy-lés-Chevreuse) 2.) Transfer to RER "A" for the trip to Nanterre Prefect (direction St. Germain-en-Laye). That station may also be called Nanterre Ville? There would be some walking required from the station to the Hotel. That's not a route I'd want to be doing at night in unfamiliar territory. One option might be to take RER or Metro to La Defence / Grande Arche and then take a Taxi from there to the Hotel (assuming one is readily available at that time of night). It would help to have some further information on things like where he'll be heading after that? Is there any possibility of using a Hotel in the main part of Paris? Good luck!

I booked a seat on a shuttle van through my hotel. It was $25 from CDG to the Latin Quarter. You could check with the hotel to see if they have a shuttle service they work with. For me, traveling alone, this was a great service.

If Cathy's son doesn't catch the last RER B train from CDG (departing from CDG 2 TGV at 22:55 and from CDG 1 at 22:58) and has to take a bus to Aulnay-sous-Bois in order to take a RER B train from there to Chatelet-les Halles, he still can catch a RER A train at Chatelet-les Halles to Nanterre Prefecture and walk to his hotel. The bigger question is, should he do that so late at night when he isn't familiar with the area?

Tim, "The bigger question is, should he do that so late at night when he isn't familiar with the area?" That was one of my concerns also. The fact that he doesn't speak French may complicate things further, as there likely won't be a lot of people around (I've found that with a larger group, there's usually someone that can speak some English). Cathy, Is there any possibility you could change the booking and use a Hotel more in the centre of Paris??? If you do, be sure to mention that this will be a "late check-in". Good luck!

The station you want is Nanterre Prefecture. According to viamichelin.com, your son's hotel is about three blocks from the station. Nanterre Ville is two stations farther west on branch line A1. According to the RATP (Paris transportation) site, currently on weekdays the RER B doesn't leave CDG after 23:05. (Track maintenance, I suppose). In its place there is a bus that goes from CDG 1 to Aulnay-sous-Bois where people can get on a RER B train to continue on to Paris. For a zoomable map of the metro and RER system, go here: http://tinyurl.com/6xmvms4.

Cathy, as Kens says, that hotel is not central,, in fact its not even technically IN Paris! I would do a few things. First, consider taxi, yes, it will be expensive possibly 60+ euros, and I would not suggest it for a young strong man normally( its not like he can't walk and carry his bags) but, he will be travelling late, by the time he is out of airport it could be closer to 11 or even later. Which means hes walking around, not knowing where he is once he gets through RER and in his area,, around midnight or later! Its not a particularily dangerous area, but parts are rather deserted at that hour, a bit creepy. Secondly, if flight time arrival can be changed , then do that(if change fee is 100 dollars or less its cost effective as he can avoid taking a taxi to hotel saving money!) . This journey would be fine during day,, its as pointed out not close, but alot easier to do when its light out, and everything is open so theres lots of folks around to help redirect him if lost etc. Taking the RER and metro to hotel would be about 11-12 euros and about an hour.

Didn' see Tims answer till after I posted, but I think for me that would say it all, his train wouldn't even leave the airport till after 11.. and its at 35 minutes into Paris,, then bus to hotel,, unless your son is an experienced traveller ( and on his own,, not just with you and dad leading the way) and he speaks at least a bit of french, I would pop for the taxi money,, or change flight to daytime arrival.Do you feel comfortable with jet lagged son wandering strange neighborhood after midnight,, I wouldn't, but then my sense of adventure rarely extends to my children( no matter how old or big they are, lol )

Isn't there a Sheraton in Terminal 2 at CDG? Maybe he could stay there the first night, and tackle the RER in the morning. That might be cheaper than making a flight change.

Holly, Yes, there is indeed a Sheraton in Terminal 2. I imagine it's a bit on the "pricey" side though. There are other Hotels in that area, but that's certainly the most available one in the airport.

I would like to thank everyone for all their tips, and suggestions to solve my dilema. Since Hunter is meeting up with a larger group on Sunday morning, the travel agent arranged for him to stay at the hotel for no additional cost...therefore, I am going with the option of taking a taxi from airport to hotel. More peace of mind that way!!! Again, thanks so much for all the ideas. Good to know people care about a problematic situation.

40% of us are moms, 40% of us are dads, and other 20% are just nice folks!

Our Paris hotel (Le Littre) arranged for a taxi to meet us after we picked up our luggage. It was a safe way to get to and from the airport for our hotel to make the arrangements.

Elaine, how much was taxi ,, I mean its perfectly safe and easy to just go to the taxi stand at the airport and take a taxi,, wonder how much more you paid for the hotel making you think that was easier for them to order one?

Cathy, It's good to hear that you've got the transportation sorted. Since the Hotel is free, the cost for the Taxi shouldn't be a problem.