Best way to get from CDG to Paris Bercy Train Station

I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. No matter which mode of transportation you choose, the odds of your catching your train are not very good. It can take up to an hour to clear immigration/passport control and another hour to get from CDG to Bercy. If your flight is late, you'll have no chance at all. The fastest route would be to take the RER B from CDG to Chatelet-Les Halles, walk through the tunnels to the Chatelet metro station, and take line 14 to Bercy. RER B trains run about every 10 minutes. The last possible train you could take departs from the CDG 2 TGV station at 17:40. After getting to Chatelet you would be able to catch a line 14 train that arrives at Bercy at 18:32. Instead of taking the direct Bercy-Florence night train, you could take a night train from Bercy to Milan, departing at 20:33 and arriving at 05:38. Take a EuroStar Italia train from Milan to Florence, departing at 06:15 and arriving at 08:00. See the detailed timetables on the German Rail site.

Tim, thanks so much for the information. Unfortunately I already have train tickets and reservations on the train. When I bought my tickets the person that set it up assured me I would be able to make my train no problem. I didn't realize it would be so tight on time that we could possibly miss our train. We have a direct flight from LA to Paris, so hopefully if we leave on time we arrive close to 4:45 as possible. Any suggestions? I'm a little concerned now. Nothing like starting off a vacation stressed. Argh!

Why not just fly to Florence? You are already at the airport and there are plenty of flights.

Did you book non-refundable discount fare tickets? If not, change them for the later train. Book your Milan-Florence tickets now at trenitalia.com. You might be able to get Mini fares (if available). Air France has the last flight of the day from CDG to Florence. It departs at 18:45 and arrives at 20:40. A one-way ticket would cost a fortune. Book a roundtrip ticket and throw away the return. Or spend the night in Paris and fly Orly-Pisa on easyJet, departing at 14:10 and arriving at 15:50. Take a train directly from the airport to Florence. Or take the first CDG-Florence Air France flight in the morning, departing at 07:20 and arriving at 09:20.

Here are a couple more suggestions. If you decide to take the early morning Air France flight, book a hotel near CDG. Drop off your bags when you arrive, go into Paris for the evening, and return in time to get a decent night's sleep. Even though you'll spend extra money to do any of the things I've listed, they're all better than taking the risk of missing the 18:54 train and having to scramble to come up with "Plan B" which will cost you even more. If you want suggestions for budget hotels near CDG, just ask.

Tim, thanks so much for all the suggestions. I'm working on exchanging our sleeper train tickets for a flight out to Venice or Milan the night we fly in. Then catching the train out in the morning to Florence. Hopefully a lot less stressful then trying to beat the clock and catch the train in Paris. Is Easy Jet the only economical airline in that area that can be used? I was reading on their website about their limited carry-on bag rules. Do you know of anyone who has travel with them and what should we expect when traveling on their airline. We plan to have 1 carry-on bag and then a personal carry-on piece. Wonder if that would mean we'd have to pay extra for the personal carry-on piece?

You're welcome, Angie! IMO, easyJet would be your best choice for CDG-Milan Malpensa. Book the 19:25 flight so you run no risk of missing easyJet's check-in deadline if your flight from LA is late, which would render your ticket worthless. As I understand it, easyJet's carry-on policy is one bag of any size - period. If you have both a piece of luggage and a day pack or purse, you'll have to check something. Or do what I suggested earlier and take the 20:33 night train from Bercy to Milan, arriving at 05:38. Take the 06:15 train to Florence. Or stretch your legs, have a leisurely breakfast, and depart at 07:15, 07:22, 08:15, or 08:22. Note: Departure times are different on weekends. See the Trenitalia site for timetables.