We're staying in Montparnasse and have a 9:00 am flight out of CDG. What's the best way to get there--we're afraid of the traffic but unsure if the train is a viable option.

I did the cab deal. You have to be there around 6 AM so I don't think traffics going to be an issue at 5:30 or so!

Generally I take the train, but I like the extra hour of sleep I get with the cab LOL!

Hi R,

You will have to be at the airport long before rush hour.

A cab will be about 50E, a shuttle about 35E for the two of you.

where exactly are you staying, it's important to know that, it really affects the ease of various options -- eg, the Air France bus stops in Montparnasse near the Meridien Hotel, but if you are on the far side of Montparnasse, maybe not so convenient, etc. If you were around Port Royal RER, you could just take the RER easily enough at that hour.

If you take the RER B, you can leave Denfert-Rochereau at 05:18, Port Royal at 05:20, or Luxembourg at 05:22. You will be at CDG 2 TGV at 05:58. The fare is €8.40.

We're staying below the cemetery, on Rue Chateau.

I've had very good luck in Paris with the shuttle - on time and less expensive.

Cant say the same for Madrid where they never showed up.

All of the above! Also try Citirama-not sure of price but they fetched us at nearby Rue du Cherce Midi.

Your hotel is only a few blocks west of the Denfert-Rochereau RER station.

I find the Air France bus from Montparnasse to be the simplest way to get to CDG. The RER is a bit faster and cheaper but requires a bit more walking with luggage.

Has something happened at CDG recently that one needs to arrive 3 hours early. I haven't been to Paris since last December but have always found 2 hours to be plently early.

Roger, The first Air France bus leaves Gare Montparnasse at 06:30, too late for RAC. Assuming that RAC is flying across the Atlantic, getting to CDG three hours in advance is very smart these days.

We've had 7 AM flights out of Paris and decided it was just easier to move to a hotel at the airport and not stress about it. We moved on the last evening before departure, had a nice dinner, got to bed early, and took the shuttle. It was so relaxing after previous mad dashes that we'll do it again this year. Last time the cost of the hotel was negated by the cost of transportation to the airort, as our hotel in Paris was rather far from the airport. You also got some good options from others, this is just another idea that works for us.

Tim, thanks for the info on the Air France bus. I always book afternoon flights out of CDG and never thought to check the hours of the bus.

Also, as you noted, the RER is a better option as it's faster, cheaper, and, in this case, actually will work.

RAC, One more thing to be aware of is that the RER B line divides northeast of Paris. Be sure to get on a train at Denfert-Rochereau that is going to CDG. (For example, the 05:18 and the 05:33 trains go to CDG, but the 05:24 train does not.)

Thanks for the tips everyone--it was incredibly helpful.

We wound up rolling our bags down to Denfert Rochereau (Montparnasse is much more atmospheric at 5:00 am than during the day) and took the train without a hitch.