Transportation from Paris/CDG to Bayeux September 20

The easiest way is a taxi from CDG to Gare St Lazare, then train to Bayeux. Because its difficult to predict an on time arrival, and how long it might take to clear Passport Control, retrieve checked luggage, plus drive time (possible rush hour), it's usually recommended just to buy your ticket at the station for the next available train. You can of course buy them in advance, but if you miss the train you'd have to buy another one. If you go this route, I'd give yourself 4 hours to catch the train. Just looking at the sncf website, there's a train at 1009 (probably too early) and one at 1208. Plus later ones.

ETA: be carefully getting that taxi at the airport. NEVER take one from anyone who offers to find one for you inside the terminal. ONLY take a taxi from the official taxi stand outside. It's a fixed fare - €55

Hello jagahring,

You will want to take the train to Bayeux - as CJean indicated all trains for Bayeux leave from Gare St. Lazare. The usual recommended minimum time allowance for CDG and transfer into the city is 3 hours but this can easily be an hour either way.

Checking the train times for Sept 20 shows:
12:08 direct Standard: $23.38 First class: $56.10
13:43 change: $32.49, $48.27
15:08 direct: $35.06, $53.76
The direct train is about 2:15 minutes. If your train has a change it happens in Caen - the last stop a few minutes before Bayeux - and it is not a big deal. But depending on your luggage and if you're not used to trains it may be worth the peace of mind to book on a direct.

There is no reason to spend more on first class tickets but it might be worth it to spend the extra money on flexible tickets. This would allow you the freedom to book an earlier train and then simply change it to a later train if you miss the earlier one or vice versa. But the cost can be significant - especially for cheap tickets.

Tickets directly from the train company https://www.sncf.com or a trusted third party https://www.thetrainline.com

At ~4:30 hours after your arrival the noon train looks like a pretty good bet but booking later may give you more peace of mind. There is no left luggage/consignee at St Lazare or I would say to stash your luggage and go get lunch in the surrounding Paris. I'm not super familiar with St Lazare but it seems to have some small food booths, small grocery store, usual train station Relay and some upscale storefronts that don't help you.

You could take the RER B from CDG to gare du Nord and then one metro line to gare St Lazare for about 11 euros a person instead of a taxi but again luggage and familiarity with trains and metro come into play. Being jet-lagged and unfamiliar with Paris the extra money may be money well spent.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

The SNCF website is now https://en.oui.sncf/en/. Be careful about being transferred to Raileurope as prices will rise and available schedules will be abbreviated.

The Train Line has a new owner and pricing is no longer as competitive as on oui.sncf. You can also try www.loco2.com for tickets.

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice! You are all so kind and thoughtful; you have put my mind at ease!
Regards,

Joy

While the train recommendations from Paris to Bayeux are correct, you still need to get from CDG to the train station (Gare Sainte-Lazare). Depending on how many people you have, I recommend two options.

1. Take the RoissyBus. It leaves right outside of arrivals at CDG, costs €12 per person, and drops you off on the West side of Opera Garnier—a 7–9 minute walk to Gare Saint Lazare.
2. If you have enough people or luggage, get a taxi from the official taxi stand (not the people that approach you in the airport). It is €50 for the ride including up to 4 people, and it will bring you right to that station.

If this is your first trip, don't listen to the people that tell you to take the RER/metro option. It is a PITA, involves changes stations where you may not be able to read the signs, or figure out what platform, it involves schlepping your luggage up and down stairs or the "sometimes" operating escalators, and it tunnels you underground rather than letting you see the city on your approach. Too much stress on first arrival. The bus or taxi are a simple, one-stop trip to the station.