Still a scrum to get on bus at CDG

[scottish mum]

I have not been to DLP since 4 years and the last time getting on the bus at CDG was an absolute nightmare. I was 6 months pregnant with a 2yr old and 5yr old and trying to get on the bus was near impossible. DH was holding luggage so i had the 2 kids. Nobody queued and you had to fight your way on the bus. I think we eventually got on the 3rd bus. So anyway is it still like that or have they introduced a queuing system. If its still like it has anyone got any tips to make it easier or another way to get to DLP. It is ony myself and hubby so a taxi seems a bit dear.

 

[DLPdaft]

If its only you and your husband, you'll manage on the VEA even if it a bit of a scrum, won't you?

I have to say I've never experienced the scrum - either at CDG or at our hotel. But I know others have been through this experience, and it sounds like a nightmare .

There is the TGV high-speed train from CDG terminal 2 to DLRP. This only takes 10 minutes, and can be as cheap as the VEA. However, the TGV doesn't go as frequently as the VEA, so you may find yourselves hanging around in the airport (having said that, if you had to wait for 3 VEA buses before you got on one last time, it may be no more hanging about than you did back then).

In the Very Useful information sticky on this forum, look at travelling to DLRP by plane - the TGV website link is there. That will give you an idea of times, fares etc, for your trip.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1004423

I use the TGV to get back from DLRP to CDG - as it gives me a good extra hour in the parks over the VEA, and its easy to navigate CDG with the free CDGVal internal tram service between terminals.

 

[joolz1910]

I was wondering about this too. When we went in 2005, we didn't even bother with the first bus - there was too much of a scrum. We were second in the queue (I use the term loosely) for the second bus and still only just managed to get on! There was no queue once the bus arrived, it was a 'huddle' which surged forwards. I sometimes think I'm too polite in these situations, but I'd rather hang back than push forward.

 

[scottish mum]

If its only you and your husband, you'll manage on the VEA even if it a bit of a scrum, won't you.

Yes we'll manage but I really don't like having to do this, I'm usually very polite and wait my turn but I guess if we want on it I'll need to get my elbows out and fight.

 

[eileds]

We're going next week and I'm definitely looking at using TGV, which I have never done before.

I have just looked on the TGV website and for return trip for 2 adults & 3 kids it £91. VEA, depending on exchange rate is going to be at least £100, more likely £110.

 

[GuardMusic]

Oh my! I have never experienced this in the US. I'm scared now!

We will be arriving after nearly 13 hours of flying & I will be in no mood to fight to get on the bus at 8:30am on a Wednesday. What are your recommendations?

We speak VERY littke French & don't want to wait on a train. Please help!
Gayle

 

[jillrobinson]

It wasn't March 2004 was it ?
That was the time of our first trip and we flew and queued for hours for the VEA, in the freezing sleety rain, it was a horrible start to the holiday and it was all due to a transport strike. Having left Bristol at 6.30am, we arrived at the Cheyenne at 3.30pm - It kind of put us of flying so did 2 Eurostar trips followed by 2 coach trips, next time I'm planning on flying but seriously considering booking a taxi just in case.
I know they say lightning never hits the same place twice but France/Transport/Strikes not uncommon is it

 

[Cyrano]

We have never experienced a scrum but think it is worth going bearing in mind that queuing is not the norm for the buses

 

[hildasmuriel]

I wouldn't normally give advice on how to queue jump, but when in Rome......

It seems the thing to do is get your luggage on first - then you are guaranteed to get on the bus, because your luggage is there. Even better if one of you can put your luggage on, while the other just gets on with the children. Even more sly was one woman whose children squeezed on before everybody then she just pushed us out the way saying "Excuse me, my children are on that bus"

Or just say buggrit and get the TGV.
You can book these tickets online in advance so not speaking French is not a problem.

 

[DLPdaft]

I know they say lightning never hits the same place twice but France/Transport/Strikes not uncommon is it

True - there was another one in November 07, so we didn't even bother with the VEA or the TGV - we booked bstransports.

 

[kevankiki]

It is ony myself and hubby so a taxi seems a bit dear.

Have you considered a shared shuttle as a compromise? I am travelling with just my DD next week, the shared shuttle worked out just under €20 more in total than the VEA, but seemed cheaper than the train.

I don't fancy the idea of the bus myself, and find heavy cases hard to handle, so I am hoping the driver will lift the luggage in and out of the car!

 

[rhysd2]

the scrums never been terrible when we've been there but we've always gone during off peak times. however when its been busier I work like this. My wife gets as close to the front of the queue as possible whilst i put on the luggage. I then stand in front of her and adopt the "shoulders up get out my way" pose(im a big ish ex rugby player). then once I get even close to the door i put my arms against the frames either side of it to stop people.

to be honest it does seem to have got better. when we got on the coach it was full by the time we left. but there wasnt much pushing. the only problems were a couple of largeish groups who felt they could push in. after some choice words from me and appropriate hand gestures they skulked to the back of the queue.

the TGV is a wonderful way to do it. far quieter etc however the timings are often bad for when you land. IE my flight landed at about 10:10am. the next TGV was 10:25am, which obviously we couldnt make. We got out the luggage area at 10:40am ish. the next TGV was 11:41am so it was wait an hour or do the bus.

 

[scottish mum]

It wasn't March 2004 was it ?

Yes it was we were there at the end of March