Transport 20 suitcases from Gare du Nord to Chatelet

I am taking a group of students (20 in all) to Paris in early May, arriving at Gare du Nord. We will have a total of 20 suitcases (and an additional 20 carry-ons).

We don%26#39;t want to hire a van because we%26#39;ve had bad luck in the past with vans not showing up. We don%26#39;t want to wait for taxi cabs because the last time we tried this from Gare du Nord the wait was over 2 hours.

We are happy to take the Metro, but taking the suitcases is a MAJOR hassle. (We are happy to take our carry-ons on the Metro. It%26#39;s just the larger suitcases we are concerned about.)

Can anyone tell me about a truck or delivery van service that would be reliable and would take our bags (plus one passenger) to our hotel near Chatelet.

Thanks in advance.

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I would contact Grey Line and ask them to give you a quote to transfer both the students and your luggage.

http://www.pariscityrama.com/en/contact

If your group is staying in a hotel that regularly handles groups, I would contact them directly to see if they can recommend a transfer company.

Both Hertz and Avis rent Cargo Vans, so you could drive the luggage there yourself, although that would probably be my last choice.

Alternately, the transfer from GdN to Chatelet by RER is one stop. You could instruct your students to pack accordingly and everyone could simply be responsible to transfer their own bags. Although the trek from RER to hotel could be sketchy.

Companies like Grey Line move groups your size every day, efficiently and effectively, at prices that might surprise you (in a good way). I would start by contacting them.

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Hi;

You can rent a mini van out of Gare du Nord for a day or less for about 100 euros fully insured, all taxes and fees.

The distance is under 4 kms. 2 people could go with the luggage, one with a good map to navigate...

You can bring the van back right away.

Just need 1 international license before leaving home, available from any AAA. You may be able to make the car reservation right there also.

Also at times there are moving services offered in FUSAC, and english publication with ads on housing and other services.

Many of the ads can be viewed online at

www.fusac.fr

On craiqslist paris under %26quot;services%26quot; labor/move

there are two ads now for help in moving. I%26#39;d think they may be open to hauling luggage and if one of your group is staying with the luggage and the one with the fee is going to meet you at the hotel, you%26#39;d most likely be assured of a successful end...

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You have got to be kidding, soft school. Tell the kids they can bring only one small rolling suitcase, no more then 21 inches. They can then easily all take the Metro and RER. They are not weak are they. My daughter who is only just going to be turning 12 will be hauling her own suitcase and carryon for our three and half week trip this July. We have had both our boys also be responsible for their own bags during their trips.

No one needs to take large bags..

The extra expense and hassle of coddling the kids isn%26#39;t worth it ,and you are not really teaching them how to travel.

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I am bringing 20 people to Paris next week and have had many conversations with all regarding luggage. The bottom line, if you bring it you must carry it. I have a couple of people who are concerned that they will carry too much and need to pay extra on the airline. That means they would each be carrying 100 pounds of luggage! (Can%26#39;t imagine what they are thinking of bringing!) As I said, I view it as their problem not mine.

I have made it very clear from the beginning that all in my group may pack what they want but must carry what they pack. I suggest that you do the same. Take the RER from Gare du Nord to Chatelet and require them to carry their bags. With the rolling bags available today, this is quite easy. Yes, the stairs may be a hassle but they are doable.

Its too much hassle for you to work this out. You are kind enough to organize the trip. It%26#39;s not too much to ask them to take on this level of responsibility for themselves. Just my opinion....Moms

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Have to say I agree with the small is beautiful thing re luggage. I lugged 30kg (72 pounds I think) of suitcases across France and Germany in my youf and it cured me of luggage. Don%26#39;t know how long you are staying but tell the kids 25 pounds/12 kg maximum and promise them you will be weighing every bag before you set off, and tell them they will have to carry it themselves. On holiday I manage for a fortnight on less than this, and it%26#39;s great just to be able to pick it up and go. It%26#39;s a very good discipline and also they are bound to buy more stuff in France, so they should at least start off light.

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We%26#39;ve an acquaintance who%26#39;s organized and taken high school students to France for years (she no longer does it since she was committed to an institution, drooling into a cup and repeatedly moaning, %26quot;..What was I thinking??..%26quot;..). As others have noted, she sets STRICT limits on the size, weight and number of pieces of baggage that each participant (student, chaperone, parent) may take--in no uncertain terms--with notices and reminders from the moment anyone expressed interest in the tour, through to point of departure, with a scale and a tape measure. She says that more than once she%26#39;s taken her group departures from schools leaving behind what appeared to be a Rummage Sale in the lobbies.

If all you want to do is transport passengers and baggage from Gare du Nord to your hotel near Chatelet, you may be best served by one of the private shuttle services (like GREY SHUTTLE which has a good reputation for reliability %26amp; service). Contact them DIRECTLY with your specific request and requirements for a quote.

Quite apart from baggage, leading a traveling circus troupe of twenty(20) people through the Paris Metro or RER system (at two busy stations) will be a %26quot;..MAJOR hassle..%26quot; at best...with or without baggage. Shuttle services have the merit of keeping both groups and baggage together and under direct control during the transfer.

Otherwise, with LIMITED baggage (and infinite nerve) you can take your chances on the Metro or RER systems...making certain that every participant has the exact name and address of the hotel written on the back of their hand with an indelible Sharpie marker before leaving their arrival platform at Gare du Nord.

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SNCF has a luggage delivery service :

Le service Bagages à domicile Imprimer cette question / réponse

Avec Bagages à domicile, vos bagages sont pris en charge 24h avant le départ, et vous sont livrés le jour de votre arrivée.

En fonction du volume et dela nature de vos bagages, deux formules vous sont proposées :

- Les bagages dits %26quot;ordinaires%26quot; sont pris en charge sur le lieu de votre choix (hors samedi, dimanches et fêtes) et livrés en 24h à l%26#39;adresse désirée (tarif du service : 25€ *pour le 1er bagage, 11€ pour chacun des deux suivants)

- Les bagages dits %26quot;volumineux%26quot; doivent être déposé à l%26#39;agence Sernam de votre ville de départ; ils seront disponibles sous 48h à l%26#39;agence Sernam de votre ville d%26#39;arrivée (tarif du service : 39€*)

Ce service est accessible exclusivement dans les gares et boutiques SNCF ou par téléphone au 36 35 (0,34€/mn) en tapant 45.

*Tarif en vigueur au 07/10/2007

Vous devez d%26#39;abord acheter votre prestation bagage en même temps que votre billet de train.

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I agree with Joan. Gare De Nord to Chatelet is doable with luggage. I%26#39;ve done it.

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While taking a limited amount of luggage on the metro is entirely doable for a handful of people, I%26#39;d think that it might be more difficult to keep a group of 20 plus luggage together, having to fit onto a potentially crowded train and having to maneuver through a pair of crowded metro stations (while trying not to slow traffic, to boot). I mean, I%26#39;ve dragged suitcases through the NYC subway, ending up at Grand Central, but I wouldn%26#39;t do that with a group of 20, and I think that%26#39;s a reasonable comparison.

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I assume with a group of twenty students there may in fact be at least one other chaperone coming. So I don%26#39;t see how one adult can have that much trouble with only 10 people.. how young are these kids??

I took a Fat Tire Bike tour to Versailles last summer, there was about 15 of us in the group, and we all had to get on the train with our BIKES!! There was only ONE tour guide, and he was all of 25 yr old. He had a system. He explained what was going to happen at the train station, he divided us into groups of four( only 4 bikes can fit in each doorway area) and he then set us up on the platform and had us load on to seperate cars, and he was only attending to one group himself. Most of us also had knapsacks , as well as the bikes.

Rick Steves tours also do groups of 20 - 28 and they also teach you how to use the Metro , and use the metor in towns instead of the buses that many groups use, people ARE capable..

So , unless this is a group of very young kids( under 13 ) then I think this could be managed, BUT , only if the pack light rule is observed.

Regardless the OP has had some good alternative ideas presented, re shuttle companies.

PS Is is possible to talk to the hotel and perhaps they have someone who might come and get the luggage for a nice fee.