Transportation from CDG Airport

If you have luggage, take a taxi from the official taxi stand. It is door to door service and starting March 1st, there will be a flat charge with no additional charges for bags or people. I believe the charge to the Right Bank is 55€, slightly higher to the Left Bank, which is about what I paid before the flat charge went into effect. Taking the RER will require at least one transfer to the Metro, then a walk to your apartment. You are just getting off a long flight, you are tired, take a taxi. Write the address on a slip of paper to give the driver. Have a wonderful trip.

I've always taken the RER from the airport. There's also the Air France bus.

I've noticed three postings from you regarding Paris. Might I suggest the Rick Steve's Paris guidebook? I say this ONLY because it's chock full practical information like how to get money, where to eat, where to stay, how to use public transport, French phrases and translations, etc. I don't work for the man merely sharing advice about being informed about Paris travel. Will make your planning you trip so much easier.

brett,

When arriving in Paris, I also normally just use the RER "B" from the airport, and then transfer to the Metro for the final segment to Ecole Militaire. While the RER has a bit of a reputation lately for pickpockets and scammers, if you're vigilant you shouldn't have any problems. Unless you have a Chip & PIN credit card or Euro coins, you won't be able to buy RER tickets from a Kiosk, but will have to stand in the queue at the ticket office.

There are a couple of different Metro routes you can use. From what I remember, one route is the RER "B" to St. Michel-Notre Dame transfer to RER "C" (direction Pontoise) to Invalides station, and then Line 8 (direction Balard) to Ecole Militaire.

You could also take the Roissy Bus from the airport to the Paris Opera, and then Metro from Opera station to Ecole Militaire (again direction Balard). It's only about five stops from Opera to Ecole Militaire. You could also take a Taxi from Opera to your hotel.

If you take the RER/metro which will be 10 Euro from the airport, be sure you can carry your stuff up and down stairs easily and that you are pickpocket proof and know exactly where to go when you get to your final station. It is easy to get disoriented coming out of the metro. Do not carry wallets in pockets or backpack. This is a good time to use a money belt under your clothes.

A taxi to the left bank will be 55 Euro after March 1; it is 50 to the right bank. If you have much luggage or the weather is rough or you are very tired or if 'we' is 3 or 4 people then take a cab from the official queue.

We have done both many times; now we mostly get a cab because the convenience is worth it to us.

We, however, have always booked a private car transfer. Although we are used to public transportation, we prefer the convenience after a very long flight.

You've gotten different opinions so you know there is no best way.

In 2014 a friend and I went out to CDG to meet another friend who was arriving (long story, don't ask, lol). We took the Metro and RER out there to see how the journey was and decided to spring for a taxi on the way back home. She was more familiar with the Metro/RER system than I but we had no trouble navigating the change from Metro to RER, it is just a very long hike especially with a suitcase, even the small ones she and I use.

Also when I arrive from an overnight flight I want minimal hassles.

So...a line item (so to speak) from then on in my budget is taxi from CDG to my hotel. I'm willing to spend more on this and cut back by having sandwiches for picnic lunches or dinners along the way.

BTW, I don't remember if it was here or on Trip Advisor but someone posted about accidentally getting in to a non-official taxi at CDG. This has been a problem at Gare du Nord train station for a while but this time the poster related that he thought he was standing at the official taxi rank but was caught by someone acting official. If someone comes up to you and asks if you want a taxi, ignore them.