Planning to take taxi from CDG to my hotel. Is it best to have exact change?

Others here have said some taxis do take credit cards--- suppose its a matter of asking before you get in

Suspect ATMs there are like those here where a 20 is usually the smallest denomination

perhaps see if a shop in the airport will change a 50 for you, or make a small purchase and end up with change ( bottle of water?)

The atms don't give 5's.Go to your local bank before you go and get change. (hopefully they have foreign currency) or Get change for the fifty before you depart from an international USA airport
or Buy a bottle of water and make change when you get there or go to the Bureau of Exchange at CDG and get change.

No banks give 5 EU notes. The smallest note is a 10 EU.
Just buy something small - I wouldn't advise purchasing a pack of gum with a 50 EU note, however - you can get change with a smaller bill, though.
Ask if the driver takes credit cards before you get into the taxi.
Good idea to print out the complete address - including the Postal Code - of wherever you're staying, so there won't be any confusion.
The metered fare is good for 4 passengers. There are no fees for luggage in the trunk.

Thanks everyone. I think I might try credit card.. I'm just concerned I'll get a string of "Non", and be forced to wait for that elusive cab that does take one.

That's great to hear! I'll feel better about using one now.
Has anyone here been told by a taxi driver that they can't take a credit card, since 2015?

Yes, Sunday night. I jumped in a cab near Tour Eiffel. When I presented my credit card at the hotel drop off, I was told that he didn't take credit cards. I didn't have enough cash for the fare with me, so had to have the cab take me to an ATM for withdrawal. All ended up fine, but the advice to ask before getting in a taxi is a good recommendation. Initial fare was also much higher than I had expected. Since then, I've been taking Uber around town (5 trips, so far) and I've been pleased. The 95+ degree heat and constant sun is challenging us, so we've been taking quick and easy transportation more than originally planned. Regarding your question about ATM denominations, I withdrew 400 euro and it came in a nice mix of 50s, 20s, 10s, and 5s. Have a great trip!

If you don't want to be ripped off, don't take a taxi. I highly recommend Uber over taxis which is also what I'm hearing consistently from locals here. A taxi driver quoted me 30 euro for a short ride from Gare du Nord to Marais. When I told him that sounded steep, he said it was because it cost extra on Sunday, which is not true. So I decided to take an Uber which was 9 euro! Uber drivers have been consistently kind and friendly too.

Parisien Taxi drivers are professionals, must pass courses, have insurance, and must adhere to the metered fare or face an advisory board.
There are extra charges on Sundays and at night, though they are minimal.

Uber provides water and candy, the drivers are not professionals, and only Uber (the company) has insurance. There are often surge prices with Uber, and there are cases where the driver sets the prices anyway he feels like it.

Hi Inna, I'd get some additional euros from a bank before leaving the US and wouldn't count on trying to find an ATM at the airport. You will probably be tired and don't need to waste time messing around. Another tip is to write the name and address of your hotel on a slip of paper that you can give to the driver. Saves time and avoids any confusion. Hope you have a wonderful trip! Love Paris!

Inna is leaving in a couple of days so probably won't have time for a trip to the bank for euros.
Just follow the signs to the ATM in CDG, have someone watch out for you and you'll be OK.
Or, take a taxi with a credit card machine, and go look for a quieter ATM on a non-busy street - use the inside lobby machines if available.
The law says that taxis must provide credit card machines, but sometimes the batteries run out so not available. Always ask first.
Taxis are equipped with change, though you might get it in coins.

"There are often surge prices with Uber, and there are cases where the driver sets the prices anyway he feels like it."
Yes, there is surge pricing with Uber and it can be a beast but Uber drivers cannot set prices for rides.

we caught a taxi from CDG to Paris, this afternoon, make sure you mention that is should cost 55 euro. when I asked the driver how much it costs he just pointed to the meter as if to say it 'may' cost as much as the meter says. ( warning bells !!!)
then when I mentioned that it should be 55 euro, he quickly pushed the button on the meter, setting it to 55euro.
so, if we had not have question him, it could have been 'any amount' eg: lets rip off the tourist.
the trip into paris was travelling sometimes 120-130km/h in a 70 zone. we have been with some crazy taxi drivers but this guy set a new all time record.
lets get 'killed' using 'public' transport.

hope you have a more enjoyable experience.

I'll second the idea to have a printout showing your address AND the fixed rate. The official taxis are pretty trustworthy, but it never hurts with things like the language barrier, etc.

If you download the G7 app, you can create an account and register a credit card. The app has a "book now" feature that I'd think would come in handy at the airport. You can also book in advance (for extra cost), which can be very helpful for your departing flight, especially if it's early. One of those "one less thing to worry about" conveniences.

Hi everyone,

Now that we are back from Paris, I wanted to share my experiences. On the way in, I was so tired that I forgot to ask about the credit card! I remembered to have the hotel name and address written down, and to check that he set the meter for 55. But after all this, and even after I posted here, I forgot! So when we got there, I just presented him my card, and he got out "La machine" (that's what they call the portable credit card readers there), and everything went great.

The interesting thing is, I completely forgot to research what the cab prices should be from my hotel back to the airport. So, our driver charged us 4 euros (for booking, I think), 2.10 (for rush hour driving I think), and 55. I thought we got ripped off a bit, but then I took a look at this site, and maybe he was right. https://www.g7.fr/en/paris-taxi-fares

Thanks for all your help and advice!

Inna.nill, glad it worked out OK! I hope you kept some 5's for your next trip, lol!

Ha ha, never even got the 5's!

Prices from CDG are fixed depending on left bank or right bank. Our taxi did not take a credit card so we had to stop at an ATM and get euros to pay.

The taxi rates from CDG to hotels downtown are fixed by zone. For example I stayed about a block from the arc de triomphe and the tariff rate to that zone was 50 euro. There is supposed to be a sticker with the zones on the cab window.

Have not verified it but someone told me that the zones are determined by which side of the river. 50 for the side closest to CDG and 55 for the other side.