Paris Travel Answers

Well, sometimes it just depends on the time of day you get in. I've got in at 6h35 and been out in 15 mins.Also depends on how many 'planesarrive at the same time for your luggage pick-up. Personally I would go for the Air France bus, but how much more is the shuttle ? Problem with a shared shuttle is it could take you anywhere in Paris beforehand as you are on the other side. A couple of euros OK but more than that I'd say no and go with the bus.

Hi Personally I'd go with the shuttle and the convenience of a door-to-door service: a 10 minute walk doesn't sound too bad until you factor in that you'll just have fallen off an intercontinental flight and will be heavily laden. You'll do plenty of walking in Paris, so no need to add this on too! I would expect that it will take you an hour at least: I was horrified by the queues last time I passed through CDG (last autumn) and I hold an EU passport (it takes longer for non-EU passport holders). I would allow yourself 90 minutes just to be on the safe side. Regards Cathy

We arrive at 10:35 on a Thursday morning. I agree about the shared shuttle....could stop anywhere in Paris before heading to Montparnasse.

I answered before I saw the last reply.....Has anyone had experience with the blue Paris shuttle?

Indeed, but by that point you're in Paris and on holiday, so does it really matter? Paul's quite right: it is very dependent on the time of day and how many planes land close to the same time. However, the Transatlantic planes are big, so even if there are very few other flights, you'll still be in the non-EU queue with a couple of hundred of your compatriots. Of course, it's a slightly different matter if you're travelling First or Business class and get to disembark first, but I don't know whether your budget runs to that?

VT member beausoleil (who's an excellent writer on Paris) has used it and seems to rate it highly. Follow this link for her tip: "Paris Blue Shuttle" - From the Airports to Paris Tip by Beausoleil

I will be there again soon cdg,,,,it is large but plenty of signs all over and folks who can speak English. one hour is ok normally, but a lot depends on how flights lands along yours, and getting thru passport and security checkpoints on 2F there is a bit of jam on certain days,the rest is ok. Here is something to help you out, if need specifics let me know. http://www.easycdg.com/ The Air France bus is quite good and comfortable even for your luggage. If you wont more comfort and paying a bit more, the one I always use when needed is yellow van at http://www.yellowvanshuttle.com/ hope it helps

Thanks Gwened........looks like the Air France bus is very convenient and 16,50e per person. The yellow shared shuttle is 25e per person.........just wondering.....would a metered taxi be much more than 50e from CDG to Montparnasse? The shared yellow shuttle would cost 50e but I'm guessing if it makes several stops before our destination it might take longer than the bus. I know many tourists who have stayed at this hotel have taken the RER to Port Royal.....just not sure how it will be taking the train with luggage in tow. Thanks

Arriving 10.35, so roughly 12.00 on the RER, no probs at all. CDG is the first station so you'll have room to settle into the carriage. If you can get a rapid train, you'll get to Port-Royal in a little over 20 mins.

yes shuttles sometimes do make stops, you need to make a deal with them emailing. the taxi is around 65 euros with your luggage consideration, either the taxi or shuttle for me RER is nice but I dont like them ,personal choice. I know many visitors use it. My wife used to use it to CDG for work, and stop took the regular bus, a lot better. hope it helps your decision

Hi. Given your choices, I'd take the Air France bus so you could enjoy your first views of Paris. Let's face it, the RER is cheaper but it is mostly underground. The aboveground part is not exactly scenic. ;^) We've used all of the options and it depends on where we stay, when we land, and who is with us. If it's just the two of you, taking the bus to Montparnasse and having a pleasant stroll to rue Ste. Beuve should be a good option. If you think jet lag will be a problem, we've often used Blue Shuttle and they are excellent. Honestly, we usually want to do a bit of walking after getting off the flight because we come from California and it's a loooooooooong trip. Enjoy Paris.

Thank you.....Think we will try the Air France bus to get to our hotel. We will have plenty of opportunity to ride the Metro and the RER on day excursions to Versailles and Chartres. Another question if I may.......the Air France is 16,50 or 27,00 r/t. Is it a good option to return to the airport as well. We depart on a Friday and the flight is scheduled for 17:30. We tend to get to the airport on the early side so would head out at around 13:00..........or is a taxi or the shuttle a safer option for the return. The Air France website says it departs in 30 minute intervals but I don't know how accurate that is.

I try and follow rule #1 when arriving from a long flight - go to whatever extent is necessary to make sure she is happy....If it means hiring a limo for an extra 30 euro more than the 60 it will cost for a taxi...do it. That said, if you do want to save a few bucks it is very easy to get into Paris central by the RER B line, (but it can get crowded). Once at the closest major station to your hotel it is usually pretty easy and inexpensive to get a cab to your hotel. From CDG to Paris central I have done shuttles, the Airfrance bus, taxis and I am very comfortable with the RER B and I use that when I travel by myself. But different rules apply when with my wife. After spending3K plus for RT air (from LA), it doesn't make sense to not spend the50 more to get to your hotel with no stress, and not waiting for the bus, or where the hotel is from the bus drop off, or waiting for the shuttle to stop a 5 places before they drop you off. JMHO, Karl

the Air France is correct and reliable, the bus will take you back too. Then again as said, there are many possibilities more or less to your individual habits.

Another vote for the Air France bus, particularly for Montparnasse. Safe, clean and simple to use. If you get to the stop and it is raining you could always get a cab for the short distance. I walk.

Hi. The Air France bus keeps pretty well to schedule. Obviously, there can be accidents and delays but they are quite reliable. When you go to Chartres, you can't take the Metro or RER. You need to take a regular train, the SNCF-TER. You will leave from Montparnasse station and it is direct to Chartres, about an hour and a nice train ride. The station in Chartres is an easy walk to the Cathedral, Old Town and touristic area. Here's the train web site: ter-sncf.com/Regions/centre/... If you have trouble, just use the first part of the address as http://www.ter-sncf.com/Regions/centre There may be an English flag lurking somewhere on the site that will translate it into English but I haven't found it. It's pretty understandable. Just type in your itinerary, i.e. Paris to Chartres or Montparnasse to Chartres. Enjoy Paris.

Thanks again.....everything is expensive these days so it is always good to save a few$ and the Air France bus sounds great. If for some reason that does not work out we'll just get a taxi. We live about 25 minutes from JFK in New York and the cost of a taxi is about the same or even a little more than CDG to Paris. And thanks for reviewing Paris to Versailles and Chartres. I had already researched those and they seem fairly easy. It is so great to have wonderful VT members to answer any question.

We all hope you have a great trip.

2 trips to Paris and made mistakes both times. 1. Used the Air France bus to get to Arc de Triomphe and then cab from there to hotel, which was on the Boulevard St Germain and we could see the Monpsarnasse tower at the end of the boulevard - would have been far quicker to have stayed on the bus to the Monpsarnasse station and then even walked from there. 2. Used the RER to somewhere and transferred to the metro to Monpsarnasse metro station and got hopelessly lost on the wrong side of some huge roundabout. Eventually some nice person took pity on us and gave us CORRECT directions to get to our hotel. In hindsight (always a great teacher), I'd now opt for the Air France bus and then taxi to hotel from there, or a walk to get bearings. Enjoy Paris

have a great time ,thats a nice 3 combination in Paris, Versailles, and Chartres.