Have you experienced that? I have always thought that Parisian taxis could not refuse to drive you, whatever destination you ask, when getting clients at Paris airports?

I imagine the hotel would be able to call for a minivan taxi without problem. The rates are the same for all. Be aware that when you call for a taxi, the meter starts running when the driver takes the call so it will arrive with a balance already on the meter. Considering what time you'll need to be at CDG to check luggage and board your flight, traffic shouldn't yet be too bad for the trip out there.

Aw, jeez!

I know! Otherwise, if there's a taxi stand near your hotel you might find one there, but you'd be taking your chances that one of the right size would be there when you need it.

I have never experienced it personally, as I usually take Taxis G7, but that's what the taxi drivers have told me several times. This link confirms that they have no obligation to take you outside the first 3 departments around Paris, except from CDG, where they need to take you everywhere.

http://www.taxi-paris.net/page36.html

"Environ 17200 taxis parisiens, sous le contr�le de la Pr�fecture de Police de Paris, couvrent Paris et trois autres d�partements : Hauts-de-Seine(92),Seine-Saint-Denis(93) et Val-de-Marne(94).

Certaines communes de ces trois derniers ont leurs propres taxis communaux. Les taxis parisiens dans ce cas, sont dans l'obligation de vous y conduire mais ne peuvent pas y charger sauf sur appel ou r�servation.

Si vous d�sirez vous faire conduire au-del� de cette zone d'activit�, ils ont le droit de refuser la charge sauf au d�part de Roissy CDG."

Another difference is that you are not charged for the return journey with the Parisian taxis; the cost is included in the fare structure.

Indeed I have always thought that CDG and ORY where under the same rules.

Thank you for the information.

Thanks. That is good to know.

In general, do Taxis G7 take credit cards or is this just from CDG?

I believe the G7 cabs all take CCs, no matter where you take the cab or what type of car it is. They are really the company I had the best experience with. Still, charging anything less than 40 Euros to a CC might seem a bit strange in Europe.

I personally have no qualms with charging anything above EUR 20 to a credit card in France. Anything under EUR 15, except at locations such as a post office, could be tricky.

I didn't express myself well. I mean charging taxi fares under 40 Euro to a CC. I've gotten strange looks when I tried. The 40 Eur threshold always put me in the strange look free zone.

Till

I'm arriving CDG 2E in two weeks, on a Wednesday morning (8:35am arrival). What do you all think is going to be the fastest and easiest way into the city? Will the RER take much more time than a taxi? I'm going to the 7th arr.

Never done RER before. Always taken a taxi, but I'm alone this time, so curious if better way than a taxi. I'll have one roll-aboard carry-on and perhaps a laptop bag. And I speak fluent French.

Thanks!

BTW, how long does immigration usually take at 2E?

We arrived at CDG via American Airlines and went thru customs in no time flat. They checked passports and that was it. I don't know if it was us or that's the way they normally do it.

We had never been to CDG let along Paris and I was wondering how it would all work out. We took the RER and it was a piece of cake. Our RER stop let us off 5 min from our hotel. Couldn't have been easier.

It's the norm. It's not unheard of to be stopped by customs on the way out, but it is rare. I've been through many times and have only been stopped twice (and they were disappointed when they found out I wasn't French...and probably very confused when they opened nearly empty suitcases )

No idea for immigration but RER B from Terminal 2 is really good. With your light luggage it should be a piece of cake and save you at least 30-40 Euros, as compared to the Taxi ride which is around 50 Euros. Just check a Paris metro map online and let them give you a small foldable map for your personal use.

Till

The RER is great if (a) you have little luggage and (b) it's not on strike. Just keep track of your belongings and be careful not to doze off on the ride in and you'll be fine. Figure about an hour to arrive in the 7th.