Taxi De Gaulle Airport

Taxis at CDG hold up to 7 passengers (obviously that would make luggage tight and it would be sitting in people's laps -- but a van taxi for 4 should work fine for your family. Head for the official queue and do not take offers or advice from anyone who approaches you from 'need a taxi' to 'this line is for the suburbs, the Paris taxis are here' -- these people are crooks and will scam you. In some terminals there are foot prints on the floor leading you to the official queue. In any case it is well signed. Join the queue, as you get close to the head let the dispatcher know you are 4 -- with 4 fingers -- the dispatcher will put you in a large taxi. You may need to step aside for a minute till one is there or is summoned.

The cost is fixed 55 to the right bank and 65 to the left and covers 4 people and luggage; there are no added fees of any sort. Tipping is not required or common. Hand the cabbie a sheet with the address clearly printed on it including the arrondissement (the address will have a number 75XXX include that. If you want to use a credit card, hold it up before getting in and ask 'ok'? They are required to take them;sometimes the machine is magically 'broken' as they prefer cash

Oh and when you meet the cabbie, say 'bonjour' before giving him the address. No to do so is rude and tends to elicit a less pleasant response.

They have minivan taxis, and large taxis at CDG.- you’ll be fine. As JaneTravels says if anyone offers you a taxi before you get in the taxi queue the answer is no - they will rip you off. I’ve heard of people paying over 100 euros for a 60-euro -taxi ride.

I’ve gotten there when it’s been very busy every place else and the taxi line moves very quick . They have lots of taxis coming to the airport to pick people up. I found it quicker to do a taxi than the one time I took a private transfer. First you had to find your driver and then you wouldn’t believe how far we hiked to where he was parked and he couldn’t use the bus lanes. so go with the taxi.

This is great information thanks and yes we always say "bonjour" and I try to practice my limited French on the way to the destination.

I hadn't thought about trying to find a reserved limo driver and that is a salient point. We will take the taxi. Thanks

...let the dispatcher know you are 4 -- with 4 fingers -- the dispatcher will put you in a large taxi...

Keep in mind that in France - and much of Europe - counting starts with the thumb. So four fingers may be interpreted as five. In this case the message will get across that you need a large vehicle, but if ordering croissants and holding up two fingers, you may get three.

This is such a weird thing for an American -- holding up the thumb and forefinger to signal two. I have totally converted so that I find myself doing it in the US now -- but it takes some getting used to.

Isn't that the Germans identified American agents in "Inglourious Basterds"?

Keep in mind that in France - and much of Europe - counting starts with the thumb. So four fingers may be interpreted as five. In this case the message will get across that you need a large vehicle, but if ordering croissants and holding up two fingers, you may get three

We don't use the thumb for 'four'. It's the one exception. I mean, it's hard to fold the pinky without folding the ring finger at the same time!

We (5 adults, 1 carryon, 1 backpack each) arrived at CDG before 7am on a Wednesday, late February. Following the advice on this forum, we walked to the clearly marked (we might have asked along the way to be sure) taxi stand and asked for a taxi to hold all of us. The person directing traffic at the taxi stand got us a van, within a few minutes (a few sedans came through while we waited but it was a short wait). The van could hold all of us and the luggage. We paid the standard price plus supplement for additional person (~70 euro) for our trip to our hotel in the latin quarter. It was easy and smooth, paying by credit card at the end of the trip. I will say that at that time of day, rush hour mid week, it was about a 90 minute trip, but we just sat back and relaxed. Given the number of people, it was probably the same or cheaper than if we took the RER, and much more convenient.

HAHAH thanks for pointing that out balso, I just spent about 20 seconds at my computer trying to bend my little finger only! HAHAHA

Thanks for the advice. This is very helpful.

Balso - thank you for the clarification. I can see that it would be even more difficult then the Vulcan Salute in Star Trek.