Paris hotels with easy access to CDG and BVA airports

April 13, 2009 5:50 PM

Where should we stay in Paris if we are landing at CDG and departing two days later from BVA (RyanAir). In those two days, we would like to see as much of Paris as possible but not end up spending an exorbitant amount traveling from the city back to our hotel, or from the hotel to the airports.

Should we pick something in the main city, something close to CDG, or something closer to BVA? Are there any hotels that offer shuttle service to both airports at reasonable prices? I am hoping that public transportation in the city itself will be enough to see Paris, and thus, my main concern is just getting back to the hotel each night, yet having a hotel reasonably close enough to either airports to make it possible to have a hassle free trip when arriving/leaving.

Thank you for all the help.

posted by omair to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

I had to look up BVA; it's not your usual Paris airport. If Wikipedia is right then there's a shuttle that leaves from near the Arc de Triomphe that's one option for getting to and from. As for getting in and out of CDG, it's very easy by local train. There's not any airports "near" CDG you'd want anything to do with. My advice is just to get a hotel in the middle of the city and use trains, metro, and shuttles to travel to the airports.
posted by Nelson at 6:02 PM on April 13

What Nelson said. You'll have to travel from your hotel to/from the airports, but definitely stay in Paris proper. Stay in whichever neighbourhood you prefer, as the Metro and foot will get you anywhere and everywhere in Paris that you could possibly want to visit in a two-day stay.
posted by different at 6:10 PM on April 13

I am hoping that public transportation in the city itself will be enough to see Paris

Paris is a surprisingly compact city, MUCH smaller than London. There is enough to see that it is almost a waste to take the Metro if you are up for walking. That said, the Metro and RER are fast and efficient. Everything you've heard about Paris failing to keep a schedule is a BIG LIE. Also, you stand no chance of seeing much of Paris in two days. Two days isn't enough time to see one floor of one wing of the Louvre.

You can take the RER from CDG into Paris, and then the metro from there. Apparently BVA is served by an EUR 13 shuttle that leaves from Porte Maillot.

My biggest concern going to Paris would be to ensure that I have a very comfortable pair of shoes the next time I visit.

Also, be sure to buy the Metro carnet - much cheaper than individual tickets, and sold from the same machines that sell individual tickets.

Finally - pick up a French phrase book. Just attempting to speak French will score you mad points with the locals.
posted by b1tr0t at 6:11 PM on April 13

Beauvais is to Paris (in terms of distance) what Baltimore is to Washington. You don't want to be staying out there.

Nelson's right: stay in the middle of Paris. If you find somewhere in the vicinity of Gare du Nord, then you're well-located for the RER coming in from CDG, and the regional trains going out to BVA. There are scheduled shuttle buses for both CDG and BVA that leave from Porte Maillot, which isn't the fanciest bit of Paris, and is right out on the périphérique, but is on both the Métro and RER. But pretty much anywhere will be well-connected for cheap public transport.

I'd add one caveat: Montmartre is pretty, but the prettiness goes away if you're in a hurry and lugging suitcases.
posted by holgate at 6:30 PM on April 13

Stay in Paris near the metro. The RER can get you to/from CDG and there's a bus service to get to BVA. It's been a couple of years, but I think it leaves from Porte Maillot. It's inexpensive and much easier than taking the train(s).

There's going to be location pros and cons for wherever you stay, so you're best to just pick a place near what you're interested in and work around it.
posted by JuiceBoxHero at 6:40 PM on April 13

You don't want to be staying near either of the airports, both are around an hour by bus outside Paris. Anywhere in Paris should be fine, as mentioned above it is small for a major city and there are metro stops everywhere. The Marais is convenient and has many hotels, but really anywhere is good and it depends on what your priorities are.
posted by fire&wings at 2:16 AM on April 14