I don't doubt that it happens sometimes to some people in many places that have taxi service, but this has never been my personal experience between CDG and Paris. Granted, I do speak French and have never been identified as American from my accent, but none of my non-French-speaking American acquaintances have had any taxi problems when visiting Paris as tourists.

I suspect the number of people who take Parisian taxis without incident is much higher than the number who are "taken for a ride".

That's what I assume as well. Considering the source, I'll take it as stereotyping or outdated impressions.

(On an unrelated note, I have some really great conversations with Parisian taxi drivers about politics, travel, religion, life in general. I can't recall a negative experience in a taxi in Paris or in France in general except for long waits at times, so that statement warning people off seemed out of place to me)

We had the ride of our life in a Paris taxi once-- driving like crazy through rush hour traffic arguing with other cabs, the whole ball of wax-- but I wouldn't call it a negative experience, and it was certainly a memorable one.

It might be a perception due in part to the one-way system in much of Paris. When I stay there I usually have the same driver who picks me up from the airport but we seem to go a different route each time once we are inside the Périphérique.

We pay a flat rate for the trip so it's to the driver's advantage to get us there promptly; even though it might seem that he's taking us via the scenic route in fact he's taking us the best way depending on the street and the traffic conditions.

I've only taken a cab from CDG once, and we were accompanied by a Parisian friend who wouldn't tolerate bad behaviour from a driver (or from me either, she's very fierce!)

CDG 1 to the RER staton
 

I am arriving CDG on United. I checked out the terminal map and information for CDG and the ORD CDG service arrives in and out of CDG 1. The inbound is a connection via IAD, so I assume that will also go into CDG 1.

After clearing customs, etc, it looks like I will take a bus or tram from CDG 1 to CDG 2 where the RER station is. Is this the correct assumption?

We will be departing CDG at 11:40 a.m.. I am planning to arrive CDG RER station at 8:40 a.m. Departing Denfert Rochereau at about 8 a.m.

Is this allowing enough time?

Thanks

You've got it nearly correct. From CDG 1 to CDG 2, take the CDG/VAL, a shuttle train that operates within the airport. Trains leave about every 8 minutes and it is tough to make a mistake.

3 Hours ahead is a lot, even for an international flight, even at "unique" CDG. But at that hour of the day, you give up little and you'll know you're covered. The CDG-Paris by RER topic is covered well, including pictures, here:

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-airpor...in-photo-tour/

BTW, last month I confirmed that US credit cards are accepted in at least one of the machines that sell RER tickets at CDG, thus avoiding the long line at the ticket booth. The machines seem to have trouble with the thicker Chase Sapphire cards, but take any regular card (that doesn't charge a forex fee) and you should be ok. Same for machines at Metro stations in Paris.

Have a great trip.

I noticed on my last UA flight from CDG that they have a warning message on the boarding card printed at home that one should arrive early thanks to US 'security'. I fly from CDG several times a month and it only appears on US bound flights. On UA from CDG there was no extra security (which is my usual experience flying to the US from CDG) No shoe removal, no extra screening, liquids permitted in carry on, no extra checks at the gate. Nor was there a queue at elite or regular check in, and I was wishing that I hadn't arrived so early. There were zero people ahead of me at the elite security queue and zero people in the regular security queue. (An American did come up and insisted on removing his shoes even when told not to do so, which is pretty common for me to see at CDG; the security clerk told him several times to please not remove his shoes) Next time I'll arrive at my usual CDG departure time.

The issue with credit cards is chip and pin. If there is no chip and pin, they are usually not accepted at metro station machines or SNCF machines. And of course American Express is accepted less frequently in France than in past (we just had this conversation with our server over dinner last night) Restaurants payment machines usually accept swipe cards, but not all. The chain Planet Sushi usually cannot process a swipe and signature card, so it's chip and pin or cash at many of their locations, for instance.

I have been discussing this thread with taxi drivers the last several months, and in particular the comments from the American who claims that Parisian taxi drivers 'rip off' American tourists coming from the airport. As several pointed out, the taxi industry is very strictly regulated. Most take pride in their job and were really saddened when I read that posters comments about the French to them. I don't think that people need to worry about that negative, stereotypical comment from that particular poster. :)

This helps. Thx. Can you buy a carnet of metro tickets at the same machine?
 

It would be great if I could by the rer tickets and metro tickets in one stop. Thus only have to deal with the credit card issue once.

To be clear, my comment on using CCs to buy RER tickets at CDG was addressing whether the machines there worked with non chip-and-pin cards, which is what most Americans have in their wallet. About a year ago, reports began that at least some of the machines did work with these US issued cards, and my experience was the same-it worked. I used a Chase issued card. Two caveats: First, the Chase Sapphire does not work because it is thicker than traditional cards and the machines can't handle it. Second, not all RER and Metro station machines accepted my US issued card that worked at CDG.

On cabs, I'll leave it with the suggestion that travelers use the Paris taxis marked G7 as I have never had a problem with them.

While the Metro does not go to CDG, I am pretty sure that the machines there near the RER entrance do sell metro tickets. I suggest figuring out exactly what you want to buy, which zones, etc., beforehand as it is a little dazzling on jet lag.

We have Chase credit cards so this really helps
 

Thank you again for this help I understand that there is fast fire car does not work and we do not have those yet. We have United Chase cards and Amtrak Chase cards which will work fine thank you again

One other point-try to have at least one credit card that does not impose foreign exchange fees. For example, the Chase United Explorer card does impose fees but the Chase United Club card does not. However, I tell friends to not get hung up on saving every penny in exchange fees, or other matters on a special trip.

Example: If you have the Chase UA Explorer card and use it for 2 RER tickets from CDG to Paris, you'll incur fees of 3% of around $24, or about $.75. And you will have likely have attained a pleasant, quick trip into the city, free of traffic delays and free of chasing down change etc. Celebrate!

For hotels, meals and other big ticket items, have a card that has no fees (and when offered, always make the charge in Euros). But enjoy convenience at a small cost too when it is available.

The machines at the station sell both types of tickets.

I don't know what this means? Is this supposed to be something we have here, or perhaps a translation of something?

Anyone travelling to/from CDG via the RER this winter should be aware that due to ongoing works on the weekends service is interrupted and there is often a bus connection as a result. This continues into March.

I actually suggest using cash when possible; there are BNP Paribas machines everywhere and they are on the same no-fee withdrawal network as many international banks such as DeutscheBank, Scotiabank, Bank of America, etc. This avoids the issue of American Express or non-chip and pin cards and provides a viable, low cost alternative. Otherwise one does risk having payment issues. Also many taxis do not take cards, or are unwilling to do so, even if card payment should be accepted as the norm. Many times I have a sign in the taxi that payment is by cash only (I don't pay with a card anyways but I have noticed this many times, and have had others mention it as they could not pay by card)

Travel time by taxi from the airport varies greatly; to my current location in the 8e it can be anywhere from 25 minutes to over an hour depending on day of week, time of day, and weather. When I was located elsewhere in central Paris it could be even longer, as most of my journey is via périphérique and very little via surface roads. Also landing at T1 cuts down on some of the travel time; landing at T2 adds about 10 minutes to my journey if taking taxi (and of course the reverse can be true if taking the RER)

I would also suggest les Cars AirFrance as an alternative if one is near one of their stops in the city.

Cost, amount of luggage, and ability to navigate are of course always considerations.

I thought at least some of the RER ticket machines only take coins (if so, how handy)?

I'm not certain that I understand your question? I just walked past them a few minutes ago but I'm not going to go back and check.

Are you saying that they don't take bills? Yes, larger bills are not accepted at various machines, but I don't understand the comment about coins. Since Euro come in 1 and 2 Euro coin one pretty much always has change. And BNP Paribas machines ask if one wants small bills, 50 Euro bills, or a mix of bills when it dispenses cash.

Having a non-chipped (Chase) German card for work and being in France is a pain. I cannot use it for most ordinary purchases, including many restaurants, transport, and the self-service checkout in shops. It rarely works on the SNCF site, and even when it does, I cannot use the machine to change a ticket. A few weeks ago I missed a train as I could not use the machine to make the change and had to wait in a long queue. Chase now does issue chip and pin cards in Germany but I have not been able to replace mine and generally use an alternative method of payment.