Depends in which Terminal you're landing. From T1, you can take a shuttle train. From T2, you can walk.

The Air France bus is only a bit more expensive. It's easier if you're landing at T1 and the whole ticketing system is more straightforward. Less walking is involved as it stops right outside both terminals.

I used to work at CDG and our supervisors recommended that we take the Air France bus instead of the RER. More secure and less chance of getting pick pocketed. They had 3 F/A's "lose" their passports on the RER and sure enough, a few months later, a coworker couldn't work the trip when she looked in her bag...

http://videocdn.airfrance.com/cars-a.../index_en.html

Everyone on board is going to and from the airport. It doesn't stop in between to pick up or drop off anyone. They also do the route all day so if there is bad traffic, they radio each other and take alternate routes. The only time it was ever late was when we were actually blocked by a truck...

Taxis are usually lined up where the bus stops so that was never an issue, or you can continue by M�tro. So pick the stop that's closest.

If you opt to take the RER, secure your money and passport (the Real Prize for pickpockets who sell them on the black market). Rip the tags off your bags before you board and don't fall asleep! Easy to do if you're landing after a transatlantic...

Have a good time!

There's an airport shuttle that stops at the various terminals at CDG, as well as TGV and RER station. See map here.

I typically arrive into Terminal 2A, board the shuttle which passes 2C before stopping at the Gare TGV (shared with RER IIRC). Tickets for RER are purchased at either the vending machines or you can queue up to buy from sales clerks. Coming back make sure you exit the correct terminal (1 or 2), as the RER stops at both.

HTH,
benzguy80

I found the thread - look at post #62

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/franc...er-safe-5.html

You will almost certainly take an airport shuttle-train to the RER - just follow the signs.

almost right ... except the inter-terminal shuttle at CDG is a small bus, not a train

you board trains at the train station, the shuttles stop in front of each terminal (at least the ones I've seen)

Car rental is not that expensive--although parking and travel in the city center are difficult. I tend to go for a week at a time and rent an apartment with a parking garage. Paris underground is not my cup of tea--although it is convenient and among the best in a large city.

Unless they ripped out the tracks in the past couple months, it is a train. We took it in January. It goes to Parking and to the RER stops. Used to be a shuttle until a couple years ago.

And what does THAT mean?

1. Bus seats tend to be extraordinarily narrow. The sitting in generally much more comfortable on a train.

2. The RER will deposit you at one of two or three city stations, where you can then transfer to the subway to your hotel. This just seems more convenient than taking the bus, then locating the subway, then entering the subway (hassle) and finally taking the subway to the final destination.

Let me say I've never taken the bus. It might be a much better deal than I imagine. Since the OP needs to get downtown somehow, perhaps you could describe the bus ride in some more detail. Who knows, I might take it one day!

I have taken the RER, taxi, and the bus. If money is not a consideration and you're elderly or have a young child, take the taxi. I normally took the RER when I was younger. So I did it again this past June with my toddler. There was some kind of train worker strike so we had to change train to get to the subway. Of course we changed to the wrong train (my French is pretty poor and the agents at the change stop "didn't" speak English) and had to retrace our steps. Needless to say, it was a bit stressful running around with a tired young child and luggage. There might have been steps in the train/subway stations but I don't recall it being too bad. On the way back, we just took one subway from the Marais district to Arc de Triomphe and took the bus. It was easy. Anyway, if you're physically fit, want to save some money, and can adjust to unexpected situations, take the RER or the AF bus. Don't worry about dragging luggage in the subway or on the street. You'll see plenty of people doing it.

I guess there is a inter-terminal train at CDG, but I have not seen it as I transited Terminal 2A and RER/TGV Gare.

One can walk from most of the Terminal 2 buildings to the RER station, but it is much easier over there to take the shuttle bus.

Regarding dragging luggage, I've found it's a nuisance to get through the turnstiles for RER and Metro but this was not a problem for AF bus. You just need to keep an eye on your stuff until the workers load it for you.

Regarding stairs, at T2 I did not have to go up or down stairs to get to the AF bus, but it seems we did pick up other people at the lower level at CDG so it may be necessary depending on which terminal you've arrived at or are departing from.

I did not find the seats on the AF bus to be any more narrow than the RER or metro. A taxi would offer a bit more space, of course.

The biggest drawback in my view to the AF bus is also a strength: each route includes very few stops. If you're going from CDG to areas close by Place de l'Etoile, Porte Maillot, Gare Montparnasse or Gare de Lyon then you're in luck. If not then you need to figure out how to connect via some other means such as Metro or just skip AF bus altogether.

I, too, did not know there was a shuttle/train, since I always arrive in Termnal 2, and from there it's a bus, or a walk - I've done both.

I take the Air France bus, if my guess is that traffic is not too bad (Sunday is always good), and the RER when its rainy, or because of the time of day, my expectation is that the roads are not "fluid". Of course how much luggage I have, or my hotel location also influence the decision.

Thanks again for the good info. Looks like that will be our plan.

As far as returning goes, when we by our ticket at CDG, can we buy a round trip ticket? Is it open ended or do you have to designate a particular return date?

And concerning the return, do we take the RER B back? How do you tell which train is the one going to CDG? I assume trains going to different destinations go through the Luxembourg stop. As you can tell, my train travel experience is VERY limited.

Thanks again for the help.

All covered in the thread link I posted in greater detail. There is no such concept as "round trip" they are simply 2 tickets per person that don't expire. Just go ahead and buy four for the 2 of you and tuck the other 2 away for the return.

es, the RER B is your return. The trains marked for CDG and there are boards on the platform which indicate which trains are coming next. Be sure to get an express, the indicator board will show fewer stops lit.

Ahhh.... I get it. That should cover it.
Thanks so much.