Looking for transportation ideas from Paris to Le Havre and back again.

[Stockjock]

We're doing a winter cruise out of Le Havre with 3 nights in Paris in the Luxembourg Gardens area pre-cruise.  At the end of the cruise, we'd need transportation back to Paris, only this time we'd be staying 2 nights post-cruise near the ORLY Airport.  We tend to travel somewhat heavy, although we could try to lighten things up a touch.

Any suggestions as to the best transportation options?  I was thinking maybe a train, but am open to suggestions.  Thank you in advance.

[Hlitner]

17 hours ago, Stockjock said:

We're doing a winter cruise out of Le Havre with 3 nights in Paris in the Luxembourg Gardens area pre-cruise.  At the end of the cruise, we'd need transportation back to Paris, only this time we'd be staying 2 nights post-cruise near the ORLY Airport.  We tend to travel somewhat heavy, although we could try to lighten things up a touch.

Any suggestions as to the best transportation options?  I was thinking maybe a train, but am open to suggestions.  Thank you in advance.

The train option is the best value but you would need to get a taxi from the port to the Le Havre train station.  The Paris trains all go to the St-Lazare station which means you would need to either transfer to another train (RER) or Metro.  Of course you could also take a taxi or Uber from St-Lazare.  Keep in mind that you will generally not find help for handling your luggage, so you have to deal with getting everything through the stations and on/off trains.  Getting to Gare St-Lazare would likely involve a Metro change as would getting from St Lazare to Orly.    All this is fine if one has mobility and can handle their luggage.  

 

Other options are also difficult and expensive.  One could do a one-way rental car (Hertz will do this) from Le Havre to Orly but that would cost you about $250 (plus fuel).  And you would also need a taxi to get to Hertz, in Le Havre, unless that station would be willing to do a pick up (unlikely).

 

DW and I have plenty of experience getting around France on our own including using the train between Paris and Le Havre.  It is a challenge if you are packing heavy and can become a major hassle on the Paris Metro.   Such is the life of the independent traveler.

 

Hank

[Stockjock]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

The train option is the best value but you would need to get a taxi from the port to the Le Havre train station.  The Paris trains all go to the St-Lazare station which means you would need to either transfer to another train (RER) or Metro.  Of course you could also take a taxi or Uber from St-Lazare.  Keep in mind that you will generally not find help for handling your luggage, so you have to deal with getting everything through the stations and on/off trains.  Getting to Gare St-Lazare would likely involve a Metro change as would getting from St Lazare to Orly.    All this is fine if one has mobility and can handle their luggage.  

 

Other options are also difficult and expensive.  One could do a one-way rental car (Hertz will do this) from Le Havre to Orly but that would cost you about $250 (plus fuel).  And you would also need a taxi to get to Hertz, in Le Havre, unless that station would be willing to do a pick up (unlikely).

 

DW and I have plenty of experience getting around France on our own including using the train between Paris and Le Havre.  It is a challenge if you are packing heavy and can become a major hassle on the Paris Metro.   Such is the life of the independent traveler.

 

Hank

Thank you for your suggestions.  Is taking a bus a decent option?

[Hlitner]

1 minute ago, Stockjock said:

Thank you for your suggestions.  Is taking a bus a decent option?

I have no clue as it is not an option we have reviewed.   Somebody once mentioned that we should consider the "Flixbus" but we never did any research on that company.  DW has never been a fan of buses because of the bathroom (or lack therof) situation. 

 

Hank