Time allotment for arrival at Paris CDG to catch train to Bayeux

The rule of thumb is 3 hours if taking a train from CDG and 4 hours if from Paris. The trains to Bayeux leave from St. Lazare in Paris. I am not sure you can get a reasonable train from CDG -- but your own research will prove that or not.

This does not guarantee you make the train there is always risk in booking on going travel the day of arrival (I have had a plane come in 5 hours late). But this time frame is generally safe and most of the time you will make the train. Sometimes you will have lots of time to spare.

I agree with the above post. I have researched this same route many times because next year we are going to Bayeux to see the Normandy landing sights. The problem is that every step has to be right on time in order to make the train to Bayeux:

1) the plane has to arrive on time
2) Immigration and customs has to be moving a good pace (no other planes unloading at the same time), the RER to Paris has to be working properly unless you take a taxi to St Lazare Station.
3) The train has to be on time and no strikes that day. etc.

If you use the Rome2rio website they give you different options on how to make the journey, train vs bus vs rental car. I've come to the conclusion it may be better that after a all night flight to just go into Paris and get a hotel close the St. Lazare station, relax for the afternoon and go to a nice cafe and get supper and then get up in the morning and make the train trip to Bayeux. I am also in my 70's so my wife and I don't push it when we travel any more.

It might not be an easy trip. There are few trains from CDG to the rest of the country compared to those leaving the main Paris stations. You'll probably need to take the RER into Paris, change stations, then catch the TER to Bayeux. Or a taxi to the station in Paris. If you go by TER train then you can just buy at the station since the price is the same according to https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-france.htm#TER And in fact buying online ahead of time often ties you in to taking the exact train you selected (the ticket will say "E-Billet valable uniquement sur ce train") even though a TER ticket bought at the station is good on any train that day.

We've done the "arrive at airport and take a train somewhere" before. I'd only consider it if the train price is the same for walkup and the trains run every hour or so. You write off the arrival day as travel and get it done. But it isn't that much fun to be jetlagged and have to do it.

Another possibility which I'd prefer is to arrive a day earlier in Paris. Planes can be delayed but they usually get you there on the scheduled day. So show up in Paris sometime Friday, walk around, maybe even buy your train tix for the next day, have a nice dinner if you're not too tired, and then catch any train of your choice the following day.

edit: see Donald posted similar advice while I was typing this up

Thanks, I like ,the idea of buying a ticket that day . What is the best way for us to get to the main Paris train station . Should we be taking a taxi or is the train from CDG ok.

There are like 5 "main" Paris train stations, but if you are going to Bayeux, you want Gare St Lazare, the only station with trains to Bayeux. You could go like this: RER B to Gare du Nord, then change to the RER E to Gare St Lazare. A bit of an underground walk to get to the station. Just follow the signs. Cost is about 23 EUR for two, or you could take a taxi for 53 EUR covering both of you.

If it just the two of you, without an unreasonable amount of luggage, you should consider the RoissyBus, It departs from right outside of arrivals at CDG, and takes you to a street right next to the Opera Garnier. That is a 7-minute walk to Gare-Saint-Lazare (from where you will take your train to Bayeaux), And it avoids the RER/Metro schlep which tunnels you underground, with its requisite stairs and transfers (with jet-lag and a foreign language), and instead takes you above ground where you can actually see the city while arriving. It is only 12€ per person. I take it every time I go to Normandy (usually solo), with the exception of the one time I had to carry a lot of heavy equipment with me.

https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/public-transport/roissybus

If there are more than two people, and/or you have tons of luggage (not recommended), you are better off taking the "official," fixed-fare taxi from CDG to the station for 53€ for up to four of you plus luggage. Just don't fall for the schiesters who approach you in the airport terminal for a taxi offer. Walk straight to the official taxi stand to get your ride.

What is the best way for us to get to the main Paris train station . Should we be taking a taxi or is the train from CDG ok.

If you've travelled internationally before and are used to public transit then the RER or bus is fine. Given your screen name, if you live in Iowa and this is your first overseas trip you probably haven't had a lot of experience using public transit. In which case the first time to try probably shouldn't be when you're jetlagged after a long flight, so in that case I'd recommend the taxi. If you take a taxi you don't need to tip but a few euros (up to 5) would be nice.

I actually think making the onward trip the day of arrival is the best use of that miserable jet lagged day. Unpacking in a hotel and then getting up and traveling again is no fun. Power through -- by the time you get to Bayeux, your room will be ready and plan to do a trip of the War sites the next day. We did an all day Overlord tour and were very pleased with it -- spent two nights in Bayeux.