Taxi from the airport in Paris?

What part of Paris are you staying in? Taxis are plentiful but the train runs into City Centre as well. If you are headed to the Left Bank taxi will run about 60E and Right Bank a little less (from Charles De'Gaulle). If you are flying into another airport - also please let us know.

RER B had always worked well for us. It is about 11 euro/person. We typically have had to transfer to a metro to arrive close to our hotel. We typically stay in the Latin Quarter. Besides being cheaper (depends on the number in your party) it can also be faster because it is not impacted by street traffic. Obviously, the choice between taxi and train, also depends on your physical ability and amount/weight of luggage.

There is no 'about whatever' about it. The fare to the city is fixed. It is 50 to the right bank and 55 to the left for 4 people and their luggage. No extra charges for bags, or time of day or whatever and tipping is not necessary or the norm. If you are more than 4 then it is 4 Euro extra for each person from 5-7. The largest cabs can take 7 although that would be a squeeze with much luggage.

Go to the official queue. Do not go with anyone who offers you a taxi even if they try to pull you out of the taxi line -- wait your turn and take the first cab or the one you are directed to at the head of the line. Give the driver your address printed on a slip of paper -- you can also write 50E or 55E if you are nervous. Make sure the 50 or 55 is on the meter when you pull out. Anyone who offers you a taxi ride is a scammer and will cheat you. We do this all the time and have never had a problem since the fixed prices were created when. coming from either CDG or Orly.

Time depends on time of day -- we have had it take 90 minutes to an apartment in the 13th on the opposite side of town from the airport during rush hour and 45 minutes other times. We sort of figure an hour on average from airport to city. If you are on the right bank, it is faster.

The train is 10.30 per person and is sometimes faster and you transfer from the RER B to the metro to get to your final destination on the same ticket. Be pickpocket proof -- no valuables in backpacks or pockets and you have to be able to climb up and down stairs -- sometimes lots of them with your bags.

1+ to Janet's post. Particularly note paragraph #2. Bookmark this thread so you can review it next spring before you travel!

There are scammers who work the exits from baggage claim trying to get you in to a private car instead of the official Taxi. Look up at the signs pointing you to taxis and follow them to the exit door and then get into the line. It moves quickly as often there will be groups of 4 or more standing in line.

IF you wish you may give the taxi driver a 1 or 2 Euro tip but it's not necessary. Since you will have just gotten there you'll probably not have change and no tip is expected. I always have cash although I think most accept credit cards. I'd ask before he puts your bags in if he accepts CC's. No French is needed - just hold up your VISA card or ask "carte bleu?" which is now the generic name for a CC.

DO have your full address typed out as Janet suggests. I got ahead of myself this last trip and didn't have my address card handy but it's my "regular" hotel, lol so I know the address and just typed it in to a Note on my iPhone then showed that to the taxi driver. It worked fine as well.

We chose a hotel around the corner from Luxembourg Gardens which meant a 3 minute walk from the RER B.

Inexpensive transportation to/from CDG, FAST & EASY transportation meaning not sitting in traffic, and very comfortable as I am a disabled traveler. So if you haven't selected a hotel yet, consider one near an RER B station and you certainly won't go wrong if you choose a hotel by the Luxembourg RER B stop. It is a fantastic area in both the 5th and 6th arr. Personally, I didn't want to transfer to the métro from the RER B. I didn't have to either.

Thank you everyone for all the great information. I should have said that we are thinking about staying in a VRBO in the Latin Quarter. I have had friends really suggest we take a cab from the airport instead of the train due to pick pocket activities. We are active, mobile people with no health or disability issues. We do a lot of walking.

The 5th arr is the Latin Quarter so if your VRBO is near the Luxembourg Gardens RER B station, you're in luck!

Do you have a copy of RS Paris Guide Book? If not it can be purchased elsewhere on this web site. In it is a description of transportation from the airport.

I've been to Paris quite a few times now, and I haven't had any pick pocket attempts. In my opinion, you have the same potential for pick pocketing within the city as well. When I am in transit between cities, I have my passport, most of my cash and all but one credit card in a money belt. I bury my wallet with a small amount of cash and the other credit card deep in my purse. I do this because I have my small rolling suitcase and a small backpack so I have more to watch over/be concerned about. I did have an attempt recently in Milan on a train as we were getting to our seat. Two women approached me, one went past, the other proceeded to tell me where I should put my suitcase. I was about to tell her I preferred to put it over my seat, when it occurred to me, that these were not employees and they were distracting me. I looked down at my cross body purse and it had been covered with the other women's scarf and had been unzipped. In no uncertain terms, I told her to get her hand out of my purse or I'd break it. They were shocked, called me crazy and walked thru and exited the train card. They weren't going to be able to get anything from me, but since then, I actually safety pin the zipper tab to the strap of the purse when we are in tight quarters as an extra precaution. I think key is to be aware of scenarios and your belongings and take reasonable precautions. I wouldn't avoid public transportation because of fear of pick pockets. I think it is important for people to share these types of encounters so that others can take precautions, but for every unsavory interaction, there are many, MANY more situations without incident.

Thanks again everyone. Your information has been very helpful.

I had the same concerns as a solo female traveler over 50 but taking the train could not have been easier. 10.30 ticket from the Kiosk and a quick ride on the express train (fewer stops). Short walk to hotel in the Latin Quarter. I was there for 9 days rode the metro countless times each day. Just be aware of your surroundings and keep track of your purse and you should be fine. I did spring for a taxi on return to airport for early flight it was 61 euros. I believe it is more to have hotel call and order taxi.

Have a wonderful trip.

Trips from the city out to the airport entail a booking fee (from the taxi company, not from the hotel) of 4€ if you call for an immediate reservation or 7€ if you reserve in advance (E.g. if you call the night before you need the taxi to reserve ahead of time).

I'll just say I have been the target of a pickpocketing. It was on the Metro, not on the RER and they were so good I never even felt anyone near me. They did not get anything but my pouch of OTC meds/etc but some pickpocket in Paris got my good hand cream, lol! I still take the Metro every day in Paris but I make sure my CC and day money is secure in my cross body bag and although many don't I am most comfortable when I have my extra money and CC/Debit cards stashed in my money belt under my clothes.

I'm too jet lagged on arrival to feel like I'm at my sharpest so as a solo traveler I just add the cost of a taxi from the airport to my budget and am delivered to my door with my carry on suitcase.

Your trip, your choice and really, you don't have to decide until you get there and see how you feel.

Also be sure to follow along on the forum as the forum members who live in Paris have been wonderful about notifications on transportation strike plans. You need to know this before you get there. This is part of French culture and nothing to worry about except inconvenience.

Do read up on short term apartment rental regulations in Paris.

I would also recommend the RER B as transportation from CDG to Paris. It costs less and is quicker. We purchased Navigo Decouverte passes, which provided one week unlimited rides on the RER, Metro, and bus. Even though we stayed only five days, this pass was a better option than the Paris Visite pass. I felt more secure not having to stand at ticket kiosks or on streets waiving down taxis, every time I traveled. Just outside of CDG, you will find the RER train station. The RER B goes into the city. We transferred to a bus which took us to within a block of our flat. When I travel, I wear a small anti-theft backpack which had steel cable reinforced straps and locking zippers which are hidden beneath flaps of canvas. Those hidden pouches are unbearable, especially on hot days.

When I travel, I absolutely prefer to move around as the locals do. Not only do you see more but you get a better "feel" for the city and its residents. This is part of the Paris experience so take the metro, bus, and train. You won't regret it.

Plenty of locals take taxis to and from CDG.

It seems gen1martoc did ask about details of taxi rides, so maybe RER isn't his/her preference. Just thought I would offer my perspective on alternative, and usually quicker, modes of transportation to/from CDG.

We fly in and out of CDG (and Orly) several times a year and have since the 1970s. We’ve taken every form of transportation into town, including Norma’s cheapie bus 350. We decide on our transportation after we’ve gotten our bags and nine out of ten times nowadays, we just get into a taxi line to get to our destination.

There’s certainly a sense of travel adventure, traveling like the local working people, saving a bit of money, enjoying the rails that makes the RER attractive to some visitors. And in one poster’s case, it’s necessary to take the RER for her back health. But for others who live here or have been coming for decades or are here for weeks instead if days, a taxi for oneself has its allure.

BTW, in NY I love taking the rails out to JFK, which certainly most New Yorkers would laugh at. It gives me the sense that I’m about to start an adventure LOL.