Train from CDG to Strasbourg

I did this in 2014. I flew PDX-ORD / ORD-CDG. I did buy a ticket in advance (just me), one of the cheaper fares. I knew I was taking a chance; I gave myself less than two hours to make the connection. Looking at prices now, for 12/19, I see that all of the cheap non-refundable fares are already sold out for that date anyway. I don't see much point in buying tickets in advance now. If you had booked them two months ago? Maybe.

I'd be familiar with schedule so you aren't flying blind when you arrive at CDG. In 2014, I sailed through immigration in all of about 7 minutes (I am not exaggerating) and I had no checked bags, so I made my train easily, especially because my flight arrived on time. I doubt it would be that quick today and worse if you have to wait for checked bags. Otherwise, it's not far of a walk to the airport CDG station - 15 minutes?

If you will have a working smart phone with you, you might be able to buy tickets with your phone as soon as you land at CDG. Download the SNCF app to your phone ahead of time, know the schedules, and be prepared. Buying with the app could save you 10 minutes in line at the airport train station or something.

i've taken this type of risk often usually when seizing a cheap ticket price. I give myself 4 hours between my arrival in Paris and the departure of the train. You miss the train you have to buy another ticket. This has never happened to me although I have had some moments of sweat and stress from having to rush. Some people handle sweat and stress differently.

For anyone seeing this who hasn't bought tickets yet: if you're flying Air France, you can often get the train from CDG to other French destinations included as a "flight segment," meaning that if you are late for the booked train, they'll put you on a later one at no charge.

Details for Strasbourg here: https://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common/resainfovol/avion_train/reservation_avion_train_strasbourg_airfrance.htm

Note the tabs on top of that page, for similar services to Brussels and to various French destinations.

Matty: I presume you already have your flight tickets. But if you are flying Air France, it couldn't hurt to see if you can change to this service, and how much it would cost.

On your other thread, you're also considering a rail pass, which probably is going to add up cheaper than individual tickets this close to the holiday travel period. As mentioned on that thread, I do recommend booking the train to Strasbourg in advance. It will hopefully cost $13 per person. But if you miss the scheduled train, there's a chance that later trains will be fully booked, or that at least the pass holder reservation allotment will have sold out.

That's one reason why we prefer not to take this type of train (reserved and expensive) immediately upon arrival. Flight delays are always possible. If you purchased a regular ticket it would also generally be no good after the departure of the scheduled train. The suggestion to allow four hours accommodates a bit of a delay (but not all possible scenarios, obviously).