RER into Paris from CDG

I've taken it a few times. Perfectly safe to me, though I am used to public transportation, and I greatly prefer a commuter train to a bus (there are also direct buses from CDG that work well for some). I would not think twice about my safety regarding the RER. But as anywhere else in Europe, keep a close eye on your possessions. Pickpockets are everywhere and very skilled.

My bigger worry with the RER would be delays. I have had delays a couple of times going to/from CDG. But inbound from CDG, you won't be worried about getting to the airport, just anxious to get to your hotel etc. A 20-30 minute delay is just an annoyance, not a stressful "I'm going to be late for my plane!" event, and there's a good chance there will be no delay at all.

I've taken it many times, and never thought twice about it, even when taking it with my kids.
You just pay attention to your things, and keep your money & passport in a very safe place.
I use Rick's money pouch that attaches to your belt and goes inside one's pants. Extremely safe from pickpockets.

Other than pickpockets (who are in large US cities as well), what "unsafe" things have you heard?

I'm taking the RER B next week & I'm a woman traveling alone with a back disability. Are you worried about safety on public transport in general or just the RER B?

Thousands of people (maybe tens of thousands) do it every day without a problem. I've done it several times without any issues.

It's safe. But, just like the Metro, keep your wallet and passport in an inaccessible place. (I second the vote on a money belt.) Otherwise, you'll be just fine.

We've taken it a bunch of times...never had a problem. It's fast and cheap. If you're going to be in Paris for the better part of a week, consider 5E for a Navigo Card zones 1-2 loaded with a Mon-Sun pass. It's good on RER, Metro and Bus and included CDG.

Here are two suggestions:

1. There are two types of trains, express (that go all the way to Gare du Nord without a stop) and locals. I always take the express. They have a designation KARI or KALI or KALE...look for the "KA" on the video screen. There's one every 15 minutes. Less hassle with potential pickpockets, I've been told. They leave 7 minutes after each local, but arrive at Nord only 3 minutes after, so it's pretty much the same arrival, but a better experience. Here's a link to the schedule for RER B:

https://parisbytrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/paris_rer_b_train_schedule_north_to_cdg_airport_2018.pdf

1. Nevertheless, always be alert to "distractions" that pickpockets use. You're coming from CDG, so I assume your valuables are in a belt or neck pouch inside your clothes. If you had them out for entry at the airport, be sure to put them back.

Hope this helps.
ss

The RER B train schedules are very helpful. I just downloaded both directions & put them in iBooks so I have access to them offline. Thank you!

I took it 6 times back and forth this summer and had no problems...someone attempted to pickpocket me on the CDG airport tram but not the RER. That's the first time I've had anyone try in 30 years of traveling in Europe. Just be aware and keep things out of sight...don't make yourself a target.

The last time I took the RER from CDG to Paris was in 2015 after arriving on a non-stop flight from SFO, certainly not my first time on the RER doing this route. I didn't even think of the safety issue if there were such a thing. Forget what you've heard. The cost then was 10 Euro. Most likely, the fare is higher now.

Martin,

I've taken the RER B from CDG to central Paris and then the Metro to my final destination and never had any problems. I always watched my luggage carefully though, despite being jet lagged.

Current price is 10.30 euros for a single ticket

https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport-tickets

For the Navigo, it's 5 euros for the card itself (a one-time charge per card), but to load it for a week in order to be able to travel, it costs 22.80 euros.

...but remember, the week pass loaded onto the Navigo card is not a real week pass (like in London)...it's a Monday-Sunday pass, so the days you are there must be factored in when you decide if it is worth it.

When we have been to Paris, we use the buses, Metro and RER so much that even if we only got four days out of the card, it would be worth it...plus the convenience is a real plus. Just hold the card next to the reader.

NOTE: The week pass now covers all zones, including CDG...a real bargain. [I forgot about that in my earlier post.] After you subtract the ~10€ it would cost from the airport, you're paying about 18€ (22.80 + 5 one-time fee - airport fare) for unlimited travel in the city.

One more thing. Since you don't need to worry about how many tickets you have at any time, it makes it almost impossible to get lost in central Paris. Just hop on any bus going in any direction and keep your eye out the window. As soon as you see a Metro sign, hop off. Once in the Metro system (with its well-displayed map), can easily find your way back to your hotel.

ss

NOTE: The week pass now covers all zones, including CDG...a real bargain

The weekly Navigo fare can cover all zones but only if that is what you specify when purchasing the fare. From CDG, there is also a weekly zone 5 to 4 fare available at 19.85€. Other weekly options are also available. Some of the kiosks require your specifically selecting the zone coverage by zone number so if you are going into Paris, be sure to select zone 1 to 5 coverage.

any Navigo Decouverte that includes Paris includes all 5 zones. No one is going to sell a tourist a zone 4-5 pass unless they specifically ask for it.

You don´t ask a kiosk anything. It only sells you what you specify and many of them only offer Navigo fares by zone numbers, not destinations or city names.

NOTE: The week pass now covers all zones, including CDG...a real
bargain. [I forgot about that in my earlier post.] After you subtract
the ~10€ it would cost from the airport, you're paying about 18€
(22.80 + 5 one-time fee - airport fare) for unlimited travel in the
city.

I'm so excited about this ND card. What a good deal as you described above.

One more thing. Since you don't need to worry about how many tickets
you have at any time, it makes it almost impossible to get lost in
central Paris. Just hop on any bus going in any direction and keep
your eye out the window. As soon as you see a Metro sign, hop off.
Once in the Metro system (with its well-displayed map), can easily
find your way back to your hotel.

I hadn't thought about this. So true. I'm on my way soon and can't wait.

I've taken it many times.
When I land in a place, after security and PP control: I always just go to a cubicle in a restroom, and transfer all my cards, pp, and extra cash into my money belt and secure that well under my clothing.
Then I leave the airport with just enough cash to get me to my accommodation.
As I'm jetlagged, that way I don't have to worry about thieves quite so much.
One tip if you feel a bit wary, is to sit or stand well away from the train's doors.
Sometimes I've seen some sketchy characters who will get on at a stop, have a look around, and then get back off before the train leaves.
If you're away from the doors, you are less likely to have someone take your case or bag and jump off just as the doors are closing.
Keep yourself between the case and the doors, if nothing else.

Also, if you are going to take your own picture for the Navigo card, make sure you put them some place where you will remember where they are! If you get there and can't find them you have to pay 5-6 euros each to have your pictures made for the card... speaking from personal experience.

It is very safe in my opinion- CDG has great signage- it was easy to get a Navigo Pass- and the RER was safe and convenient.

Happy Travels✨💫

Make a color copy of your drivers license- keep in your wallet- when you get to window to purchase Navigo oass they will cut the picture out and hand you back the rest- easy peasy- and saves you a few euros.

Happy Travels💫✨

The postings are correct and spot on about safety but pickpockets an issue. However after long flights I prefer either the city bus which drops you at Opera or the Air France bus which has a few drop off locations, the one I get off is Arc de Triomphe then catch the metro or take a cab to my hotel. Nice ride into the city center, less stopping on Air France bus.

Note that the "Air France bus" mentioned by Pam is now known as "Le Bus Direct", I assume because of the long-standing confusion among people who wrongly thought it was reserved for Air France air passengers only.

Safe? Perfectly safe. The chances of being assaulted are as close to zero as anywhere.

Expect thieves on the train, however, whose sole purpose is to prey on jet lagged travelers carrying lots of valuables. In eight trips, I've never noticed a thief in action but the French consider the RER a place to be extra careful.

You can be less of a target by keeping track of your stuff, reducing ostentatious displays of wealth (expensive jewelry) and getting some rest on your flight.

Regarding delays. I have been in Gare Nord waiting for an RER to CDG and had a train drop off the que - once - so it does happen. Other than that they seem to be reliable and not susceptible to surface traffic delays. I have taken an RER out of Gare Nord that isn't going to CDG simply to escape the crowds (and to avoid the potential of both thieves and terrorists in the crowded Gare Nord). I get off before the route splits, then wait, in a quieter place, for an RER that is going to CDG.

One of my rules is to always give myself plenty of time, mistakes happen (at least for me) when I'm in a hurry.