Guess I'm rolling the dice because I already bought it.

Didn't occur to me that 2.5 hours from landing to Montparnasse might not be enough. Maybe state of sticker shock. :D

If i were you i'd book another PREM fare TGV now as the chances of you getting to that train are slim IME and if you just show up i guarantee you that you will pay a whole lot more than 20 euros. And if taking the bus be prepared for the bus to get stuck in traffic as well. Only shot is via RER/metro and last time i landed in Roissy and took RER in there was a long wait in line to even get tickets - the automatic ticketing machines were for some reason out of order. Good luck.

If I read this schedule correctly, there are departures from CDG 2 at 11:33, 11:40, 11:48, 11:55, 12:03, 12:10 and 12:18.

The transit to Denfert Rochereau is about 45 minutes so the 12:18 train would reach Denfert Rocherereau at 13:04. Then it's 3 metro stops to Gare Montparnasse.

Should have 15-30 minutes to spare?

Here is the RER map for reference:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...ed=0CC4Q9QEwCA

Should have 15-30 minutes to spare>

does this include time it may take to buy the RER tickets?

last two times in CDG my plane landed well away from the termminals and it took ages for shuttle buses to ferry us into the proper terminals where our bags had been w aiting some time.

and finding the right track at Montparnasse with its various stations?

and of course if the plane is on time at one of Europe's most congested airports

Well I'm flying AF flight from SLC to CDG direct so I guess it would land at 2D or something.

The last few times I flew through CDG, I didn't have to get on the stupid buses to transfer to a different terminal within CDG2.

But now after all the construction, there are apparently these CDGVAL shuttles?

Last time I took the RER from CDG to St. Michel didn't seem to be bad. I thought I bought the ticket from the distributeurs but I'm not sure.

Last December my Air France flight parked out on the tarmac - i was surprised they did not get a gate

and there were long lines to buy RER tickets - long because the automatic machines were not working - not sure that is typical or even if American credit cards work in thesee machines as they do not in SNCF stations i understand. Carry some euro coins and banknotes in case they do not.

I do hope you make but am constantly stunned why folks do not get themselves times to make a leisurely connection - you will be watching your watch constantly from the time waiting to take off as any lateness will lessen your chances.

OK, I believe the DL flight (not AF) will land at 2E, according to the aeroportsdeparis.fr site.

And according to this 2E map:

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/R...11b-cdg2e.pdf?

The RER station should be about 500 meters towards 2ABCD. I don't see the Baggage Claim areas however on that map.

That's because you are looking at the wrong map. That map is clearly marked the departure level, not the arrival level. Baggage claims are on the arrival level.

http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/R...pi_A4A7E2.pdf?

Thanks!

So it still seems about 500 meters to RER.

CDGVAL is those new, little shuttle trains to the other terminals?

Yes, the CDGVAL connects all the terminals. It's a driverless train and runs 24/7.

Ack, my car rental reservation in Tours fell through.

Alamo can't guarantee automatic car. I know, I have to learn manual.

I may have to eat the TGV ticket and rent the automatic from CDG and drive.

Considering renting a car in Paris and driving.

Can I transfer to RER A at Chatelet Les Halles to get to Etoile?

Or transfer to RER C at St. Michel to get to Invalides?

All with the same RER B ticket I purchase at CDG2?

Yes, you can. Your ticket is good from CDG to anywhere in central Paris and includes unlimited transfers on the RER and/or Metro. Keep your ticket until after you have exited the system.