PARIS - France 2014 - page 290

Several companies offer shuttle service; I usually just go with the one my hotel
normally uses. Otherwise, try Paris Shuttles Network (tel. [phone],
www.shuttlesnetwork.com ) or Airport Connection (tel. [phone],
www.supershuttle.fr ).
Paris Webservices' private car service actually works well from the airport to Paris,
because they meet you inside the terminal and wait if you're late. For a one-way trip
they charge €80 for up to two people. Booking round-trip costs about €160-180 for up
to four people. Rick Steves readers get a 10 percent discount by mentioning promo code
“PWS52K13” when you reserve, and showing your driver this topic (tel. [phone]
59, www.pariswebservices.com , [e-mail] ). They also offer guided
tours—see here .
By Commuter Train: The RER, Paris' suburban commuter train, is your cheapest
(though not most convenient) option for getting between the airport and the city center
(€9.60, runs 5:00-24:00, 4/hour, 30 minutes to Gare du Nord). It runs directly to well-loc-
ated RER/Métro stations (including Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, St. Michel, and
Luxembourg); from there, you can hop the Métro to get exactly where you need to go.
The RER is handy and cheap, but it can require walking with your luggage through big,
crowded stations—especially at Châtelet-Les Halles, where a transfer to the Métro can
take 10-15 minutes and may include stairs.
To reach the RER from the airport terminal, follow Paris by Train signs, then RER
signs. (If you're landing at T-1 or T-3, you'll need to take the CDGVAL shuttle to reach
the RER station.) The RER station at T-2 is also crowded, with long ticket-window lines.
It's faster to buy tickets from the machines (use the green-colored machines labeled Paris/
Ile de France, coins required, break your bills at an airport shop). Beware of pickpockets;
wear your money belt, and keep your bags close. For step-by-step instructions on taking
the RER into Paris, see http://parisbytrain.com (see the options under “CDG Airport to
Paris”).
ToreturntotheairportbyRERfromcentralParis,allowplentyoftimetogettoyour
departure gate (plan for a 10-minute Métro or bus ride to the closest RER station serving
line B, a 15-minute wait for your train, a 30-minute train ride, plus walking time through
the stations and airport). Your Métro or bus ticket is not valid on the RER train to the air-
port; buy the ticket from a clerk or the machines at the RER-B station. When you catch
yourtrain,makesurethesignovertheplatformshows AéroportRoissy-Charles deGaulle
as a stop served. (The line splits, so not every line B train serves the airport.) If you're not
clear, ask another rider, “Air-o-por sharl duh gaul?” Once at the airport, hop out either at
T-2 or T-1/3 (where you can connect to T-1 or T-3 on the CDGVAL shuttle).
By Taxi: The 50-minute trip costs about €65 (more if traffic is bad). Taxis can carry
three people with bags comfortably, and are legally required to accept a fourth passenger