Travel from Paris to CDG

I stayed in the Rue Cler during the summer of 2007. To get to CDG, I took the subway to Opera Garnier, where there is an express shuttle bus to the airport.

The shuttle bus has plenty of space for luggage, and takes about an hour to get to CDG. I believe a bus leaves from the Garnier stop every 15 minutes, and it cost me around 8 Euros.

Actually, your hotel may be closest to the Ecole Militaire station...

To me the cheapest way is public transportation, ie, RER. Depending upon your circumstances, like what time you need to get to CDG or the ages of your family members, it may be the best way too.

Would it be difficult to get to the airport from Paris on the RER with suitcases? Would we have to transfer from one bus or metro to another or would it be a straight shot? I was told by my hotel that the shuttle would cost 76 euro so I would love to save some money on our trip back to the airport.

Once you get on the RER, its a straight shot in from the north to the Gare du Nord, then right through central Paris and out the other side to the south. Lots of travellers take the RER (me included), but I guess it would depend on 1) how many suitcases you're carrying, and 2) whether the kids (I assume) can handle their own. A small roller and a knapsack per person is usually enough to handle. Your RER ticket allows you to transfer directly onto the Metro, so you can go just about anywhere in Paris after that. Check http://www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php for RER and Metro maps to see how close you can get to your accommodations.

The RER into Paris is extremely easy and then take the Metro. The only thing I would comment on is to remember with your luggage will you will be going up and down stairs throughout the stations. So make sure you are able to carry your luggage.

Since I did some comparison shopping on the internet for private bus shuttles to CDG when I went to Paris, I believe your hotel quoted you a fair price. I've seen prices ranging from 16e to 21e /person. To me the only reason to take the shuttle is that you and your family can not cope w/the luggage. Nothing wrong w/that esp if someone has a physical handicap or 1 of your family members is a young child. Using a shuttle, you will most likely be dropped off as close as possible to the check-in area. If you are taking the Metro and I'm not to sure about the RER, you will be packed like cattle during rush hours. If you were taking a shuttle during those hours, there will be bumper to bumper traffic on the highway and roads leading to and from the airport. I was lucky; I didn't experience that. But that is what my driver told me. You must weigh the pros and cons and then decide.

Joyce -

Most likely your closet Metro to your hotel is station La Motte Piquet Grenelle -

From here you can purchase a one way ticket for each person to CDG - about 8.20 Euros each.

Take line 10 in direction Gare Austerlitz and get off at Cluny Sarbonne (The connecting RER station is called St. Michel) . Form here change to RER B - direction CDG. The change of trains here is not too difficult - a set of stairs from the Metro and a short walk to two levels of escalators to the RER.

The RER runs every 15 minutes - travel time should be in total from hotel to airport approximately 1 hour.

When I arrive in Paris I always take the Roissybus, but when I am leaving I always take an airport shuttle arranged by my hotel. At the end of a trip I just dont want to deal with all the stairs/luggage/potential buskers. Thieves really work the RER btw/ airport and Paris. If you know what you are doing and travel light its OK but if you're loaded down with kids and luggage and if you're looking around like "where do I go...what do I do?" the thieves are going to target you. If I've made it through the trip w/o getting ripped off, the last thing I want is for that to happen on my way out of town. An ounce of prevention.......

One small detail to remember: if you choose to travel by RER, don't misplace your tickets during the ride. Unless the regulations have changed, you will need the tickets again in order to exit the CDG station (automatic turnstiles). I saw several travelers frantically searching for their tickets, and one person who actually climbed over the turnstile.

"Best" and "cheapest" may not be the same. As others have said, cheapest is the Metro/RER; but if you have a lot of luggage or your children are too young to help with carrying it, that wouldn't be best. If you leave from Ecole Militaire or La Tour Maubourg, you'll need to change to the RER C at Invalides and to the RER B at St-Michel Notre-Dame. An adult ticket to CDG costs 8.20€. Children under ten pay half of that.

The Roissybus from Opera to CDG costs 8.60€. (I don't know if there is a children's fare.) You could take the Metro directly from Ecole Militaire or La Tour Maubourg to Opera. Or you could take a taxi to Opera.

Joyce, I'm surprised that none of the responses you've received so far included the no-brainer...a taxi. By the time you pay for four tickets on the Metro or RER, it's a small amount more for a taxi. There is value in not having to negotiate your luggage through the train station and the Metro and being delivered right to the correct ticketing section of CDG. Especially since this is at the end of your trip so you would presumably be loaded down with maximum luggage. There are reasons to save a few euros when on vacation, and this is definitely not one of them. I've flown in and out of Paris several times in the last few years, and though I'm a cheapskate I always use a taxi.

Just my opinion.