Tweeter, the driver will be at CDG, it's where his stop is at! I think there are little RATP booths within the terminal that also sell the tickets. If you happen to pass by one, OK, buy it there, but otherwise, don't bother, do like 90 % of the passengers, buy the tickets directly from the driver.

Hi

Cheaper than the taxi option (taxi cost us 60E from CDG to Eiffel) is the shuttle bus. It was 38E for two. We used Paris Shuttle - www.parishuttle.com - to get from Eiffel area to CDG. This may still be more than what you want to spend but I must say it did save us a lot of mucking around with transport options. I mean lets face it by the time you compare the options kindly suggested by other posters you'll save about 20E compared to the shuttle cost. Is it worth the hassle?

Au revoir

To Tweeter. I agree with the post above about "is it worth the hassle". If you haven't been to Paris before I think it is daunting to deal with transport from CDG other than a taxi. We have used the RER--never again. We haven't used a shuttle because I just have never nailed down how you contact the driver--and then wait for him.
The taxi will deliver you to your hotel--we always print out a little map from maporama or some such and print the address on it to hand the driver. It is a wonderful stress free way to begin your Paris trip.

Art_Vandelay - That is the exact info I needed to know. Thanks!

I have used the shuttle also but you may end up traveling all over Paris before you arrive at your destination as the suttle will be full of people w/varying destinations. Just a heads-up.

Hassle factor:

Let's say you're flying into CDG and taking the train on to Avignon.

You land, collect your baggage, go through the formalities, get to the train station, and get on the train.

At the other end, you get off the train, go to a taxi stand, and ride to your hotel.

Why is this acceptable, yet doing it with Paris as the final destination is a "hassle?"