Saturday, April 21, 2012

Transportation from CDG for group of five

My family of five will be returning a hired car to the airport after a trip to Normandy. Then we will go to our hotel in the seventh.





Each of us will have two bags (not large ones) plus odds and ends.





I am guessing that if we were to take taxis, we would need two, so could get expensive.





Is there a convenient alternative?





Thanks so much for your advice.




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I would drive everyone to the hotel and then go return the car - maybe take someone with for the ride. After that catch the train or bus back. No hassles with bags etc.





Maybe you can return the car to a drop-off near the hotel - even if there is a premium it may pay for itself.




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You might look into something like this: shuttle-paris.com/paris-cdg-private-airport-…





It says it starts at 85 euro, which is cheaper than two taxis, but I don%26#39;t know if it is the best solution.




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Thank you, REField, and 75005.





My husband says it%26#39;s impossible to return the car to another drop off location, and additionally, it would be a nightmare to drive in Paris.





I myself am not convinced of either one.





If there are other suggestions, I would appreciate hearing them.





Thank you so much.




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For our return trip to the States, with our family (5 total in the group) we took a bigger taxi, our landlady called the cab for us and requested it specifically for that many people. The savings compared to two regular ones, not that significant, though.




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Thank you adoreeurope.





Are larger taxis routinely available at the taxi line at CDG?




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I%26#39;m not sure if I%26#39;ve seen a taxi that can handle five people and 10 bags so you might be waiting awhile for the right size. I%26#39;d go with one of the private shuttle services myself if you must **all** go to the airport.





I do strongly agree with the other writer that you should go to the hotel, drop off the bags and everyone else, then take the car to the airport. You can then very easily take the RER back into the city by yourself (or bring someone along!). Driving in Paris is not that bad as long as it isn%26#39;t rush hour. I lived there for four years and actually found the traffic rules more %26quot;logical%26quot; than New York or the bay area.





Two of the key rules:





1) A blinker means I%26#39;m turning very soon. Don%26#39;t put it on too far in advance



2) NO passing on the right



3) Watch out for cars coming from right intersections as they may have right-of-way





Enjoy!



Bill




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Why are you not returning your car at an rental office near the 7th? It seems extra work to drive into town just to then drive to CDG.





Call whatever rental company you are doing business with and arrange for a drop off in town near your hotel. If you really want to drop off at CDG, you%26#39;ll incur additional expenses of at least 45 to possibly 100 euros for transportation back into Paris. As long as you are returning on the week end or avoiding rush hour, the 7th, is relatively easy to reach and drive through. Plan your route in advance:





www.viamichelin.com




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Many thanks to everyone for your kindness in replying. All your suggestions are so much appreciated.





To clarify, Sarsstro, my husband%26#39;s long-time dream has been to visit the WW II beaches of Normandy and he has planned this trip on his own. I have hesitated to interfere as I am a tag-along!, but in this one transportation instance I am compelled to refine his plan.





He is adamant about driving back from Normandy to CDG where we will have rented the car because



1. he thinks the drop-off charges will be high (I don%26#39;t know if he is guessing or has that information.)



2. he thinks driving in Paris will be a nightmare he doesn%26#39;t want to tackle.





I researched private shuttles last night and yes, I would think that expense could balance out the drop-off charges, but would still have his apprehension about driving ourselves.





Perhaps posters here could reassure him.





Thanks so much for your help!




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You don%26#39;t have to take two cabs. Taxi Parisien has vans that will hold 5 of you and the bags. Did it couple years ago with four of us. You might have to wait in line until one shows up. We only waited a few minutes and it will take you directly to the hotel instead of dropping people off at the hotel first and hassling the horrible traffic you could run into.

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