Get on the bus, Gus.
Earlier this week, I had a message from a Trip Advisor member asking for advice on the best way to travel from the airport in Paris (Charles de Gaulle) to the center of the city. My first answer was a taxi (based on the amount of luggage the Ellibees usually drag along on trips), but I also suggested they check out Air France’s bus shuttles—Les Cars.
On our last trip to France, we had a transfer at CDG. Our flight to Bilbao, Spain was cancelled and the next available flight was in 8 hours. So, the helpful Air France customer service agent suggested we hop on one of the Les Cars and head into the city. Wow! This was a fantastic, easy way to get into Paris. I think the price was about $25 each way, so less expensive than a cab (OK, if you own a taxi service in Paris, please don’t send me hate mail).
Les Cars is a fantastic, relatively inexpensive, comfortable way to journey into Paris from either Charles de Gaulle or Orly airports. The buses have several stations at each airport and then, depending on the route, several stops in the city. You purchase your tickets at the airport station, then the staff load your luggage onto the coach. Buses run every day from about 5:45 a.m. until 11:15 p.m. Check routes, schedules, and prices at:
* Airfrance.com or www.lescarsairfrance.com/en.html
If heading to Rome, Alitalia just started offering a similar service called—Alitalia Bus. The coaches run from Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Fiumicino Airport (Terminal 1) to several stops in the city. Having been to Rome, I say, “Leave the driving to someone else.” Learn more at:
* www.alitalia.com/en_en/your_travel/organize_your_travel/alitaliabus.aspx
Then, to make the subject of airport/city transfers even more timely (and speedy), I received an email from Austrian Airlines promoting their new Red Cab service. Love this! When you book your online reservation, you can reserve an Austrian Airlines cab to take you from Vienna’s airport to your destination in the city (and back). Plus, you can choose the vehicle type—Mercedes E Class or minivan. Prices start at 29 Euros. Get more information at:
So, if your travel plans take you to Paris, Rome, or Vienna, check out these options along with regular taxi and rail services. They’re a great way to get going.
