While SNCF ticket machines that take paper money may be at CDG, the only ones I have seen take coins only. As you point out with BNP, ATMs only issue paper money. Thus getting Euros at an ATM won't give you usable currency for the approxiamely �9.50 each fare for the RER-you'll need coins. Can you get coin change at CDG easily? Good question.

Steve, since you have been most likely unnecessarily confused, let me summarise if you are arriving at CDG on UA at T1:

- deplane, take moving walkway to immigration
- clear immigration
- take escalator to baggage claim (CDG has signage telling you how many minutes until your bags arrive)
- exit baggage claim by walking through customs
- look for signage to 'niveau CDGVal' (* you may want to make a detour to a cash machine if you haven't brought any cash with you at this point)
- take CDGVal to Terminal 3-Roissypole for the RER
- exit CDGVal to the station
- purchase tickets; your US issued credit card will most likely not be accepted if it has no chip; you can use notes but if you need coins for some reason then you can purchase at the window

Note that there are actually two different RER stops at CDG; one serves Terminal 1 and 3 and is at Roissypole; the other serves Terminal 2 and is at the Gare SNCF.

As you are flying UA, if you are in C or F you may be able to take advantage of a little-known fact that you can use a meeting room converted into a shower room with rollaway bed at the Sheraton in Terminal 2 for 45 minutes to shower and relax. For people flying into Paris as a visitor this is a great free option as your hotel room may not be ready that early. (They allot 45 minutes per person but couples have reported that they are able to share the room for 90 minutes total) You said in your first post that you are going to Terminal 2 so I think that you may already be aware of this option.

If you are going to use that option, get off at Terminal 2 and look for the Sheraton on the upper level near the Paul Boulangerie kiosk. Then when you are clean and rested, buy your RER ticket from a green kiosk (yellow is SNCF) and use the RER to go into Paris. At Terminal 2 the ticket machines are free-standing kiosks, unlike at most metro stations where they are built into a wall. They also serve multiple functions so yes, you can purchase the RER to Paris ticket as well as multiple metro tickets there.

(Even if one isn't going to shower at the Sheraton, I like the RER station there better as it is brighter, more refreshment options, and generally more people around who are willing to assist as they are waiting for their long-distance trains etc. I've helped countless tourists there with ticket purchases. It's a really short detour to end up there instead of Roissypole)

And not to further confuse you, but a Navigo Semaine runs from Monday to Sunday and is 34,40 for the week for zones 1-5, which can be used on the RER to/from CDG. As a visitor you can purchase Navigo D�couverte. Depending on your days of travel and the places and amounts of travel you expect to do, it may be an option to consider) http://www.ratp.fr/fr/ratp/c_20597/f...is-et-semaine/

Contrary to what some have experienced, last month my new Chase Marriott Visa (WITH a chip) did not work at the RER kiosk but my Chase Sapphire Visa (no chip and one of the thicker cards) worked fine.

My take-away is that having backup cards from different issuers is a good idea.

And I today had to spend yet another hour with my bank 'security' for suspected fraud because I tried to use the card for an SNCF payment. I rotate between 3-4 cards to try and find one which will actually work, and my bank is so helpful that they tend to monthly put a block on one of my cards for my own security.

There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to why one will work and another will not and why one works sometimes and not other times in the same machine or website, just as how I can use my non-chipped card at one Planet Sushi in Nice with no issue but not at most other locations I use in France.

My take-away is that having cash in the wallet is always a good idea.

^

And notifying the card issuer(s) of specific travel plans (that may show up as out of my normal spending areas) has saved me a LOT of hassle over the years.

We arrive on a Sunday, and depart on a Friday. The navigo card will not get us into Paris on Sunday. So we will go with the RER tickets and 2 carnets of metro tickets. I am predicting that if we see everything as planned, we will use a total of 24 metro tickets (12 trips per person)for the week.

I will follow your advice to use the RER station at terminal 2. Thank you.

[QUOTE=exbayern;20344340]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 apologize for the strange wording. I was using siri on my iphone, and it misunderstood, and I missed that. Thanks for the heads up for the track work. Is there a website that I can check for updates?

I believe that this upcoming weekend is the last daytime disruption and it moves to weekday nights as seen here

http://www.transilien.com/contents/f...-JUIN-2013.pdf

If for any reason the work is extended it will also be signaged on the CDGVal and most likely before you even reach that area; I've seen signage in various areas of the airport including airside recently.

This is the link on the airport site as well http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/f...s-cdg-rerb.htm And in English here http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/e...s-cdg-rerb.htm

I'll be arriving CDG from FRA in a few weeks with my family of 4. I've been to Paris 25+ times for business and usually take the RER or a taxi into town. I'd like to prearrange a car/taxi (not luxurious) prior to our departure from the US as we'll have luggage, etc.

I've used G7 and Taxi Bleus before, but always while in Paris and not pre-arranged. I've looked at their websites to pre-arrange a ride, but they don't make it easy for a pickup at CDG.

Anyone have a company they recommend that isn't a shared service, multi-stop provider?

Many thanks!

Is there any reason why you want to prebook? Usually there are 2-3 taxis waiting at the official stands at CDG, and more will be called up as needed. Some are larger, some are mini van types.

You can preorder a Maxi cab, or a 'Family cab' on the G7 site which takes up to 7 passengers and has child seats http://www.taxisg7.fr/decouvrez-nos-...ille-familycab If the address is an issue I would just call them if you really feel it is necessary to prebook.

Remember too that there is a surcharge for extra pieces of luggage.

I did recently take a minivan shuttle service to CDG instead of my usual taxi; for some reason my doorman offered me one which was a flat fee. I'm not sure why after all those times he volunteered that service but I suspect that it was a 'friend' Service was fine, but I didn't need the large vehicle and missed the personal chat I usually have with the taxi driver. There are a lot of shuttle services with poor service records so you may want to look into the G7 option.

Only reason is to have one less thing to handle with kids in tow... I'll work my limited French and request the mini van in line at CDG.

We're renting an apartment in the 6th for a week and the recommended car service from the owners was 80 Euros all in. I think going the taxi route will be cheaper in the end.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice!

It's not going to be much cheaper. Cabs are around 60 to 70 euro to the 6th depending on time and traffic.

I've paid about that or more going to the 4�me, it depends on the traffic which can be horrific.

How does an arriving UA C or F passenger use this benefit? Is there a printed offer or description to rely on?

I don't believe so. I haven't seen anything on UAs website, and the purser on my last flight with UA had no idea. Last time I landed on a UA flight on CDG there was a GS rep to greet me with a FastTrack pass for immigration. I thanked her but told her that I don't need it thanks and asked about the shower as I had heard about it vaguely in past. She just told me to go to the Sheraton; no pass, etc. I went there and asked at check in and they signed me in, gave me a key, instructions, and a time limit. (I was taking the train onwards to another destination in France and actually not going home for a shower after my flight)

I don't know how easy it would be for someone who is unfamiliar with CDG and who doesn't speak French ie if they want to take the risk of just showing up, but if one is taking the RER into Paris anyways, it really isn't a detour to go and ask.