4 replies to this topic

[wheelz99]

going to paris next year. i'm looking for transport options from the airport to the hotel in paris. does anyone have any experiences to share? any good ideas?

[ruth]

wheelz99, on Jun 17 2008, 11:11 PM, said:

going to paris next year. i'm looking for transport options from the airport to the hotel in paris. does anyone have any experiences to share? any good ideas?

Taxis - will cost a bit though. I went to Paris a couple of years ago and the public transport is not accessible, so I used a taxi the whole time.

[Teddy]

Just thought I'd keep this thread alive since it asks what I need to know.

I'll be flying into Paris (Charles du Gaulle) from Vancouver, BC, next week with my motorized wheelchair, a great able-bodied friend and very little Franch language skills and the only easy option I've found so far is a $400CA specialized taxi from CDG to the Louvre (the hotel's just across the street).

That's one way.

Has anyone got a cheaper way of getting into the heart of Paris?

I see at Paris By Train - reduced mobility there's mention that the RER to Gard du Nord is fully accessible but then this article mentions having to have station staff getting involved.

Has anyone ever done this before and can give me some hints/advice?

Then, of course, I have to get from Gard du Nord to the hotel.

Since my chair can't be folded, can anyone recommend any taxis that can handle my needs?

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions.

[Izziwhizzi]

I can offer a bit of my limited advice.

I flew into C de G, stayed in my chair and took the short bus trip to the RER/TGV Station there (the over ground).

I was using a manual chair so my hubby was able to pop me up the large (1 foot) step onto the bus, it had special disabled area. They were shocked he got me on, but we seem to remember that they were trying to explain an alternative till my hubby got me on the bus. Our disabled requirements/techniques in French is also equally poor :-)

The terminals are quite close together at C de G, in a sort of horseshoe shape, and from reading blurb tonight it looks like there is a new tram and not the bus - is that what you've found out from your research? The two RER stations are at terminals 1&3 and also 2.

http://europeforvisi...tion-trains.htm
http://europeforvisi...cles/cdgval.htm

We took the TGV at the station, I had pre-booked disabled seating (I booked at an office based in London, but I can't find the link currently). We found both the info boothes (where we went to ask where we should go) and the French helpers who took us to the train, helped us with our luggage extremely helpful. Our limited French and their limited English got us through very comfortably.

some of these links may help:

http://accessible-tr...nsport_in_paris

http://parisbytrain....o-rer-bus-tram/

My only other tip (which I guess you know already) is to take limited quantity pieces of luggage, maybe 2 big pieces both on wheels for your friend, so you can be trolley less where they are not allowed. Also check the max kg of each piece. Currently UK airports will not take any piece heavier than 23kg and demand you repack it at the desk buying new bags if necessary. If this is the case maybe take an extra bag when flying only to stuff it back into a larger bag when you land and are on the move in Paris.

I am going to Paris this August, but will be taking my adapted van. How long I spend in the city (or if at all) depends on how much time I can pull the kids away from Disney. I doubt I'll get into the city, my kids are still so little they just love the Disney magic, and I can't be so mean to take them away from it. In my life before kids we loved Paris, but used my van to drive around. Walking across the roundabout to the Arc de Triomphe was the craziest thing we did, I got a petrified Gendarme to take me back. You'll understand when you watch the French drive in Paris.

Good luck

I xx

Edited by Izziwhizzi, 26 May 2009 - 08:56 PM.

[Lea]

There is a way for power-chairs to take the RER B from CDG airport . It goes to Gare du nord , Chatelet , Denfert-Rochereau . They will put a special ramp for you and there's an elevator .
There are many accessible kneeling buses in Paris .
Optional way : an accessible mini-van taxi . Reservation: www.taxibarbier.fr
Costs about 70 euros from airport to the center of Paris .
Have fun !!

Teddy, on May 26 2009, 06:52 PM, said:

Just thought I'd keep this thread alive since it asks what I need to know.

I'll be flying into Paris (Charles du Gaulle) from Vancouver, BC, next week with my motorized wheelchair, a great able-bodied friend and very little Franch language skills and the only easy option I've found so far is a $400CA specialized taxi from CDG to the Louvre (the hotel's just across the street).

That's one way.

Has anyone got a cheaper way of getting into the heart of Paris?

I see at Paris By Train - reduced mobility there's mention that the RER to Gard du Nord is fully accessible but then this article mentions having to have station staff getting involved.

Has anyone ever done this before and can give me some hints/advice?

Then, of course, I have to get from Gard du Nord to the hotel.

Since my chair can't be folded, can anyone recommend any taxis that can handle my needs?

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions.