Safety on RER Train from CDG to Pont Saint-Louis, Paris

There's no reason at all not to take the RER if it's convenient. Just be pickpocket proof. This means no wallet in your back pocket, no flashing money around. Just be cautious with your belongings and you'll be fine. I've done it any number of times and lived to tell the tale.

I use a money belt under my clothes in transit like this so I don't have to worry about pickpockets. There will be pickpockets in every crowded place you are in Europe. The Louvre and the Orsay are two great places to be picked -- and a wallet is not safe in a front pocket either. Always be pickpocket proof and on the train be sure you bag of valuables -- computer bag, purse, backpack with electronics and meds etc is in your direct control -- not in a rack or at your feet but in your lap with a firm grip.

You get on the train at the start of the trip so you can usually easily arrange luggage and seat comfortable. It is an efficient way to get into Paris, safe and cost effective. Since your hotel is near an RER B stop, it is the best choice. We take a cab if we need to transfer to the metro but when the entire trip can be on the RER (or if going to Orly on the Metro 14) then this is the ideal way to travel. All stops are accessible usually with both elevators and escalators.

There was nothing slow about our taxi ride into Paris from CDG. The official taxi's can take the bus lane. With that said, use normal precaution on the train or anywhere regarding pickpockets. Rather than being overdramatic, being aware and prepared is your best bet! Have a marvelous trip!

Timewise there is not a huge difference between taxi and RER train. But, there is a huge difference in price.

I have stayed on the Ile Saint-Louis for my last 2 Paris visits, most recently in April. I travel with a carry on spinner and a small tote bag and have had no issues. Obviously , I am not waving my cash around or fumbling with my wallet to attract attention. If the first train is too full for your comfort level, just take the next train.

The RER B will take you to the St. Michel Notre Dame station. You will still have a 10-15 minute walk (passing Notre Dame) to the Ile Saint-Louis.

How do you plan to get around in the city? The Navigo weekly pass for €31.60 included the RER to/from the airport. The pass is valid Monday to Sunday.

I took this train in April from CDG to the same stop mentioned above, and it felt perfectly safe, even in my jetlagged state coming from the west coast of the US. Dragging my suitcase up the steps to street level and seeing Notre Dame dead ahead was a thrill too.

For those using the St Michel Notre Dame station for RER B, there is an elevator between the platform and street level that exits on the corner of Rue Xavier Previs and Quai Saint Michel. Just be sure to validate your pass/ticket before entering the platform.

If you don’t feel comfortable, then you can take a taxi that will drop you at the hotel. You can get acquainted with the public transportation system when you aren’t transporting your luggage. Go with your gut feeling. The taxi is as fast as the RER.

What is Pont Saint-Louis? Is that Île Saint Louis? There isn’t a RER or metro station on Île Saint Louis. You have to cross over a bridge.

I’ve taken RER, different buses, shuttles, taxis between CDG and the city; they are all acceptable. Do what makes you comfortable.

"The pont Saint-Louis is a pedestrian bridge across the River Seine in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It links the Île de la Cité with the Île Saint-Louis."

Oh, thanks Nigel. The pedestrian bridge with the buskers; I never knew the name. That’s easy to get to from the Saint Michel RER stop if the OP is okay with it.

Arriving Monday through Friday morning, the RER B can get you into Paris in almost half the time that a taxi will take, particularly for addresses on the Left Bank. Saturday, particularly Sunday morning, a taxi will take about the same time as the train. To where I stay on the Left Bank, it is typically a 90 minute taxi ride through early morning traffic from CDG. Two weeks ago it was closer to 2 hours. That is a long time in a car after an all night, transatlantic flight. Luggage or other factors permitting, I always take the RER/métro.

The RER B/métro is perfectly safe and will generally take much less time than will a taxi. As you will be among the first to board the train at CDG, you can sit anywhere you like. I always take the seats away from the doors and near the end of the car. If you are staying on Ile St Louis, or near there, taking the RER B to St Micheal and walking would likely work well.

so a question is what day of the week, and how early is an "early morning train"?

Rush hour or weekend?

Thank you all for the advice. Especially since I misidentified the actual train stop. At this point we are leaning towards taking the train. We arrive at 7:45 on a Friday morning & if we can catch an 8:30 train, travel time is still under an hour.

If you are flying from the US or Oz or wherever outside the Schengen zone then you will not likely catch the 8:30 train -- but 'catching a particular train' is not really a thing with the RER. It is commuter travel and if you miss one train another will be along in 10 to 15 minutes.

If you are there for a week starting Monday then the Navigo Decouverte weekly pass will cover your trip into town. I'd get that if arriving Monday or Tuesday or maybe Wednesday. The 13 Euro airport trip pays a huge hunk of the 35 or so Euro cost of the card and a weekly pass.