Take Taxi or RER from CDG to Paris?

The RER B runs into town from the airport. One of the exits from the Chatelet - Les Halles complex is a few meters from where you hotel appears to be.

The two times we were in Paris in the past three years, we have had our hotel (Le Littre, 6 arron.) make the taxi reservations. It was a set price for being picked up at the train station/airport and returned to CDG. We just paid the driver directly. It was nice knowing that it was a set price. No surprises. We were met at the luggage area at the airport or when we left the train. Then we were helped with our luggage and walked a short distance to the taxi. It worked out great. Maybe your hotel offers this option.

If it were me, I would take the RER B into town. It's quite easy to find at the airport and you won't have to make any transfers. Be prepared to take your luggage on escalators and stairs if needed. And have the directions from the RER station to your hotel ready which you can probably find on the hotel website. I have never taken a taxi from the airport into town as I have always used the RER so I can't compare the price, although I have assumed it to be quite a bit more. Since it is Sunday the RER/metro stations will be much more mellow than a weekday, but still just take your time and don't feel rushed by others whizzing by you. Enjoy your trip!

If you feel up to it, the RER is definitely cheaper. On a weekday, it is usually faster (not an issue at that hour on a Sunday). If you are tired, or don't feel like schlepping your luggage, or are just feeling intimidated by the RER, take a taxi. I see many on other travel boards say they always treat themselves to a taxi upon arrival (this includes repeat visitors who know how to take the RER, but prefer not to). I always have taken the RER, but then I'm generally taxi-averse. And I live in New York City, so I'm used to mass transit. I take mass transit to JFK and Newark too, and many who live here are horrified to hear this. It's a personal choice as much as anything. You can always take the RER back on departure; by then, you'll be quite familiar with it.

Not a veteran traveller outside of the US, but my daughter and I made our first trip to Paris at the end of March. Our apartment was near Cahtelet Les Halles; we took RER B quite easily..both with wheeled suitcases and backpacks. Ahhhhh, on the way back (and I am sure I read somewhere to be aware of this)..we bought our return ticket from Chatelet Les Halles and when we got to CDG, our ticket would not work in the turnstile to get back in to the airport for our flight to Barcelona.. There were several others who had purchased their tickets from the same station who had the same problem. Long story short, we crashed the turnstile, going in right behind others. There was no place to purchase a correct ticket, or add correct fare, or fix this problem; no one answered the HELP call button near the turnstiles. I haven't researched exactly why this happenedI can only surmise we did not pay the correct fare, or bought the wrong ticket for where we were going. I'll know better the next time.

Mo,, I would take the RER,, first its cheaper, and secondly, once you get off you only have to walk a short distance.. why pay 45-55 euros if its that easy.. I understand taking a taxi( and I have done so myself on occaison) if arriving later in day, or have kids or elderly with you, or are a silly over packer( too much luggage is so hard to deal with on trains) ..

I suggest you take the Roissybus bus from GDG to Opera Garnier and pick up a cab there to your hotel. My friend and I chose this for our 2010 trip because we were concerned about being too tired to deal with our all our gear in the pickpocket-heavy trains. We were pleased with this plan. We used an ATM to get Euros at the airport and I bought something small at the newsstand to get change for the bus. The tickets were about 9 Euros at the time, but I think they are 10 Euros this year. Follow the signs to busses and trains in the airport. The ATM and newsstand are all in the same area as the bus stop, near the front the of the arrival terminal. The bus ride was comfortable and we enjoyed driving thru the city to get our first glimpse of the sites. It was fun to settle in this way. Much of the ride could be in any city anywhere, but the cars are smaller than we see here. I had studied the map, so I could point out Pigalle, Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower, Madeleine, etc. The bus stops at Opera Garnier, which is across the street from the big shopping centers of Galleries Lafayette and Printemps. When we arrived at Opera, we stepped into a cafe for our first creme, and then easily found the taxi stand for the final drive to our rue Cler address in the 7e. I had practiced saying the address of our hotel in French for just this moment! The cab ride was just a few Euros. We took the Metro and RER back to the airport for our return flight. My friend has a wheeled suitcase, and even though she is young and strong, she had a hard time with so many stairs and turnstiles. We weren't in much of a rush, but felt like we had been running all the way from the hotel to the gate. The bus and taxi trip was easy, comfortable, and economical. It was safe and fun, and a good way to settle in. I suggest you give it a try!