Train from Paris to Basel on Nov. 11

It's very easy. There are direct high-speed TGV trains from Paris-Est station to Basel SBB station; travel time is 3.5 hours. Unfortunately at this late date it's probably too late to get the advance discount fares. Standard fare is 94 Euros. Check schedules/fares, and book tickets at: http://tgv-europe.com Tell the site that you live in the UK so it doesn't redirect you to Rail Europe. You have the option of printing your tickets out at home, or collecting them at the station.

It's also possible to avoid going into Paris by taking a TGV directly from CDG to Strasbourg and a regional train from there to Basel. However, those TGVs don't run as frequently as do the ones departing from Paris Est. What time is your flight scheduled to arrive at CDG? How many bags will you have and what size are they?

I will arrive at 6:10am. Someone advised me to go ahead and buy my ticket ahead, but I'm leaving this Thurs. and the only way I could do that was to have them mail the tickets. So I will be buying a ticket at the TVG in the airport and following your suggestion. I appreciate your advice, and the advice of Michael who warned me about Rail Europe. It really is more expensive for the same train.
I have one large bag on wheels and a back pack. I think I will be fine and that I will have plenty of time to get a ticket.

It can take up to an hour to clear immigration/passport control at CDG and ticket lines at the TGV station can be long. However, if your plane arrives on time, you should be able to catch the 07:48 TGV from CDG to Strasbourg, connect there to a regional train, and arrive in Basel at 11:56.

Thanks, Tim
I did exactly what you suggested. The CDG wasn't crowded and I had no problems getting baggage, going thru customs and getting that early ticket. The only problem was finding the right platform in Strasbourg. A helpful student directed me and lots of helpful folks put my bags on the train, then on the racks. Finding a bathroom in the Basel train station was the hardest part - that and finding the stairs in CDG going down to the train platforms. Knowing languages other than English would help. How did you know about that early morning train? You must travel to Paris a lot.

Well done, Kirby! I found the early train on the German Rail site which has detailed timetables for virtually all of Europe. I've been to Paris twice. That's not nearly enough!