another vote for the taxi.

I took a shuttle once when traveling alone. I was incredibly frustrated when I boarded the shuttle and was ready to go... we sat there for 45 minutes waiting for the others to collect luggage and who had arrived 'around the same time'. Never again.

I realize that you can't check into your hotel until later, but the best way to feel like cr*p is to sit down after arrival. I would rather get to my hotel quickly, ask for a bathroom - wash face, put on clean clothes, powder, etc. and go for a nice long walk. The fresh air will do wonders! I realize that you are traveling with your mom, but go to the Tuileries and find a bench and sit and watch the kids sail boats in the pond... or find a playground and watch the kids play... or find a nice park and enjoy the flowers.

To me, the extra cost of a taxi is worth the mental health aspect of being done with traveling! I don't feel like "I'm there" until I've dropped my luggage :)

bookmarking

http://www.shuttle-inter.com/homepage.htm
Yes, this is 55 euros (one way) for first timers..after that a discount...you pay the driver..they are working on credit cards..
Very reliable..I have passed info on to many..they have used them and been very satisfied.

They will be picking me up on the 11th....

I always take a taxi because it's easy. Go to the official stand of course. It will cost about 50 - 60 euros for the both of you. Your arrival time is around rush hour and so the ride may be a bit more expensive due to traffic. To me this is an expense I factor in to every trip. Perhaps it is because I come from the west coast but I find that I am so tired (and cranky) after a day's travel that I simply want to get in a car and get to my hotel ASAP.If I were arriving from another place in Europe I would go the RER route.

Exactly why I have my private shuttle company..55 euros for 2/3 people the first time..discount after that. They will meet you upon exit with your name on a sign, take your luggage to a nearby private vehicle and voila, you are off. No phone calls, no meeting place to locate. They will also keep track of your arriving flight for any delays and make whatever adjustments. Certainly the best all around way to do it, IMO...

We always took a shuttle, inexpensive and efficient.

Last year we splurged and hired a driver. We were very happy we did this, and it was worth every penny and more.

After a long flight, it was very nice to see someone holding up your name as we exited. On top of that, our check through luggage was lost. Our driver got us back into the departure area(when the guards were saying no) and really helped the procedure and paperwork. As we were very tired after delayed flights, and don't speak French, this was invaluable to us.

Again, the shuttle worked fine for us for years, and did save a few bucks, but this year again we are hiring a driver.

Either way, have a wonderful trip. Paris is enchanting!

FYI---we have used Paris Shuttle and paid with a credit card before we left.

It is confusing when the same term - "shuttle" - is used to refer to both the shared ride and the private transfer type of transport. Shared shuttles are cheaper if alone, but with two or more the cost approaches and with 3 often exceeds what a taxi would cost. That's in addition to the potential hassle of having to wait at the airport for the van to fill, then having to sit while others get dropped at their hotels.
Taxis at CDG are typically readily available - even during busy times the wait is no more than a few minutes. Minivans and station wagons are increasingly common and waiting for one adds little if any time. If traffic is bad the fare can go up.
Scheduled pick up, private (not shared) shuttles like the one mentioned above add the extra nicety of a driver waiting for you on arrival. Some others instruct you to call on arrival, which can mean as much or more waiting time than taking a taxi.
LowCountryIslander, if it were me, traveling with mom, I would schedule with the shuttle service recommended above or take a cab. The nicety of having a driver waiting with your name on a placard may be a treat for your mom. I stayed at Castex years ago and staff was delightfully helpful. It is on a small, quiet street close to lots of shops and eating options. You can leave your bags at the hotel if you room is not ready (and it may be ready) and stroll to one of the many nearby cafes for a leisurely bite, walk around the neighborhood and window shop, stroll along the nearby canal, etc.

Yes, the word "shuttle" makes it confusing. The service I mentioned and I use is a private vehicle, only for your group, whatever size. There are so many flight delays, that it is nice to know that your pick up will be there..delays, or early!

I will point out to Gracejoan that the same can be said for a taxi for the same price. Walk out the door and get in.

Gretchen,

I have never taken a taxi..I do see people post that you exit immigration and go to where ever it is that the taxis are and may have to stand in a line.
With the service that I use, your driver is there at the immigration door to take your bags to the car that is very nearby. The price is fixed, not guided by the amount of time that a taxi might have to take due to traffic....
Many ways to do things. We do all have our preferences.....

When I mentioned Paris Shuttle, it was a shared van ride.

We have booked the private cars right through the hotels or apartments we have rented

This year, our private car is 76 Euro for 2 0f us, reasonable I think for the service offered..

You can do it for 55 euros instead of 76 euros...service couldn't be better!!

Your choice, of course!!

Well - we always just do a taxi - no need for any sort of limo. I have no problem with public transit - but after a long flight I want to have a shower and stretch out as soon as possible. You say you can;t check in early - but unless it's an apartment you actually don;t know. Many hotels have one room free over night and will let you ckeck in when you arrive - or at a minimum offer a free breakfast and a soft arm chair in the lobby - versus driving around on a shuttle.

(I would say on average when we arrive on an early morning flight we get into the room when we arrive at the hotel - or within an hour or so - about 80% of the time - since hotels - unless very small - are rarely completely full.)

<i> I have no problem with public transit - but after a long flight I want to have a shower and stretch out as soon as possible.</i>

And I'm sure you know that sometimes the RER will get you to your shower and bed faster than a taxi.

It's important to pinpoint exactly where one's accommodations are located before finalizing one's choice of transportation.

Shuttles and private cars are not always the best when there are traffic jams.

kerouac, you make an excellent point about time and that taxis may not be the fastest given the traffic situation.

I'd rather be in a taxi when tired after overnight flights ... when I'm on public transportation, I prefer to be aware of my surroundings. Many of the 'don't be a victim' threads talk about the constant need to be aware of people around you and situations. When I'm getting off a flight, my senses aren't quite all there (I'm rarely all there any of the time, but it is even less then!).

For me, personally, I'd rather take a taxi and spend less on dinner some evening to compensate, but everyone's value structure is different.

Thanks all for the replies.

Since orginally posting we've decided to take a taxi. Although I understand the merits of a private car (we've done that in Rome and it worked great).

I did plan to spend the early part of that first day taking a walk, finding a little place for lunch and possibly taking a Seine cruise until being able to check-in.

I have had times where I've been able to check in early and times when I haven't. So I don't want to count on being able to check in and I'd rather be prepared to just freshen up in a public WC in the hotel lobby and be on our way.

Thanks for all the recommendations and I'll be sure to write a trip report upon our return! :)

Gracejoan3,

I have a question about the private shuttle that you noted above:

www.shuttle-inter.com

How long do they normally take to respond when you make a reservation via the internet?

Their webpage mentions something about 2 hours, but I sent them a request about 12 hours ago and still haven't received a response (maybe it's because I don't need their services until November).

Maybe you can shed some light based on your past experiences.

Thanks in advance.

Just took the shuttle on Sunday, 31 Aug 08. Perfectly fine...nice to look out the window at sites that you may not get too....no credit cards that I know of...had to pay cash.. 24 E or 17 each for 2 or more.

Look at the 6 hour time difference for your e-mail to them!! You will probably hear from them today.