CDG to Montparnasse at rush hour
 

We arrive at CDG at 8:20am on a Friday morning (if all goes well), and we need to catch a 10:50am train at Montparnasse. The Air France bus would be the easiest and most economical way to go, and a cab is possible, but will it still be rush hour by the time we exit CDG? Another possibility is the RER B to Denfert-Rochereau, and then a cab to Montparnasse. I'd hate to get stuck in traffic and miss our train - so help, please, what should we do? Thanks for the input

Will there be checked bags to collect at CDG?

What airline or terminal will you be arriving at?

Yes, Roberto, we'll be in France for almost 4 weeks so we will each check one bag.

Wellllllllll,

www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php# claims that it COULD be done in only 53 minutes from CDG platform to Monparnasse platform. This assumes that you can get your checked bags (HAH!!), transit to the CDG RER station, purchase your tickets and be on the correct platform by 9am. There are often many bozos in line trying to buy tickets (in English) to who-knows-where (Antarctica, perhaps). Phewwwwwww.

Using www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php# I input the departure point as Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1 - RER and the destination as Gare Montparnasse - SNCF

Judging by the scheduled arrival time I assume that the OP is arriving on UA's IAD-CDG flight that arrives at CDG Terminal 1. There is a lengthy walk from the plane to the immigrations counter and often a wait. Then there is often a long wait for checked bags. Then there is a project finding the correct elevator to take you to the lower level where the shuttle bus will take you to the RER station. Then there is the ticket buying circus. It is all remotely possible if the pax sit up front in C or F and walk/run, and the bags arrive quickly. But this is not very likely or easy.

Note that this plan requires the initial transit to the RER (described above) and a transfer from RER to Metro. The Metro ride should be very short.

To the OP: Do you speak some French? Have you ridden the RER or Paris Metro before?

Roberto, thanks for the help. We fly AA, so we arrive at 2B, or at least we have in the past. Yes, we've been to Paris several times and know the Metro well, et je peux parler français. But it seems the Air France bus is the easiest way UNLESS we're likely to hit a lot of traffic. I simply don't know when the morning rush hour traffic ends.

I have seen rush hour traffic until 10:00AM while driving to CDG (on the other side of the Autoroute and Peripherique)

I guess your best bet is RER to Denfert Rochereau and Metro (or Taxi) to Montparnasse (have done it, there are some stairs at Denf. Roch).

Roberto mentioned already the ticket buying circus at CDG. Most of the ticket automates are not working or don't take you US credit card, and the lines are long. I have heard that US American Express Cards are working .. may be someone can confirm this.
Your schedule is really tight, can't you take a train a little later, take the Metro to 'Edgar Quinet', one stop before Montparnasse, only 150 yards walk, and have a café at one of the outdoor cafes...

We are supposed to travel with friends, so I'd to make the 10:50 if possible. I wonder if the Air France bus drivers stay in touch with each other and know the traffic conditions, so they could give an estimated time of arrival. That would be great!

I was able to use my USA issued Citibank Visa at the RER ticket machine without problems last year.

If you are on a limited schedule, ground transport is always risky -- not only during rush hour. As you may know, there are currently street demonstrations in Paris over a new labour law. Traffic is being rerouted, the metro is not.

At CDG, you can buy a tourist transport ticket that will be valid on both the RER and metro. Since you are in a group, perhaps one of you could get the tickets, while the others wait to pick-up the baggage. Once you reassemble, take the RER to Gare de Nord. There you will change to the Metro line 4 (Porte d' Orléans). Line 4 stops in Gare de Montparnasse.

Yeah you wish...
Hey we are talking about France here, the drivers couldn't care less even if it takes five hours to drive to Montparnasse as long as they get paid and get their lunch break.
Welcome to France!!

Take the RER to Denfert Rochereau and then the metro three stations to Montparnasse.
There is actually not much difference between the traveltime during rushhour and the rest of the day for the RER

I still think 2h40 sounds a bit risky.
You have luggage to reclaim, as far as I understand you're not very familiar with CDG which will require even more time as it's a large and really confusing airport.
Then the problem of rush hour and the usual chaos to buy a train ticket for the RER at CDG.

Exactly where are you going from Paris?
You know there is a railway station at the airport as well with a few daily direct trains to southern and western France?
Might be an option...

For the Air France bus you have:

Positives

• You can buy the ticket on the bus
• Once you're on it, you go in comfort to your destination without having to schlep luggage in the RER/metro (if you're checking bags that means you'll have plenty to carry, and you're not going to have fun taking them through the metro, up and down the stairs, and in the crowded train cars)

Negatives

• It runs every 30 minutes and takes about an hour from CDG to Montparnasse (that will vary depending on traffic conditions). So, in a pseudo "worst case" scenario, assuming you arrive just after a bus has left, you would have to wait 30 minutes for the next one (assuming that it's not late)... for a total of at least 1-1/2 hours waiting and riding.

So much depends on variables you can't control: Whether your flight arrives on time, how long it takes to get through immigration, baggage claim, and customs, time spent getting to the bus stop or train stop, transit time... If all goes well you can make it, but be sure to have a back-up plan in case you miss your train.

Dont forget the Air France bus has to go to terminal 1 and pick up / drop off people after it has picked you up at terminal 2B plus the only every 30 min departure... It then has to stop at Gare de Lyon for more drop off / unloading of luggage. Sounds risky to me. I suppose you will have a better idea once you have collected your luggage. I would consider a taxi or if you know how to get to the RER station and buy your tickets quickly that might be an option.

Thank you all for the help. Actually, Jacob, we've flown into CDG many times, but have always just taken a reserved shuttle bus to our (rented) apt. in the 5th. This time we're going to La Rochelle, and the direct train from CDG to Poitiers leaves at 8:55am, which was too tight. I'm also considering a private car from CDG, which would be waiting for us - little more than the cost of a taxi, although of course the problem of traffic would still exist. Ultimately our success will depend on whether our flight arrives just about on time, I would guess.