The train to and from CDG can be tough if you have huge suitcases. Turnstiles and stairs are non luggage friendly. My GF carries bricks in her suitcase and every year that we take the train, I swear "never again".

Otherwise, it is not a problem and I've never felt threatened in the slightest. As others have suggested a taxi is certainly much easier if economy is not an issue. I'm trying to recall the last taxi fare I paid to CDG from the 6th and I think it was 40-50 euros. Obviously, the taxi fare gets cheaper compared to other choices when there are two people or more.

I should mention there are Air France buses that go from near the Arc and also from around the Garnier Opera house that you might want to look at.

I'll never understand why people want to save a few euros on airport transport when they have spent thousands of dollars on airfare and hotel or apartment rentals. I always take a taxi.

<i>I always take a taxi.</i>

If during rush hour, the RER might be faster.

The RER seems as safe as any metro system in any big city. We have generally taken the RER to and from CDG because at rush hour it is faster.

Oh dear, as usual, so many different opinions but of course, that's what a forum is!
Our thoughts on taking a taxi were severely soured when we were charged 100 Euro on our incoming trip. That's nearly $200 for us and yes, a drop in the ocean of the entire trip - but seriously!

Part of the travel experience for us and our son is learning about how to keep safe. I doubt he will be able to afford taxis when he starts to travel solo so we are trying to build good habits for him. We have spent countless hours on the metro, the tube and previously the NY subway so I think we will give this last train experience a go. We've learnt about inside zipped pockets and wearing our backpacks front wards and walking with a confident stride! It was just the odd reaction from the information booth lady that made us quite wary but our french is not good and her english was not either so maybe we misunderstood.

We don't have to be at CDG till 12.30 so we'll leave at 10 and wait for a sans arret.

Thanks again for all your advice throughout this trip. I'll update my report to let you know how we got on when I get home.

Kwaussie - good choice. you'll probably find that you are at CDG with loads of time to spare. I've taken both the stopping trains and the sans arret and the latter are a lot more comfortable, just because you aren't forever having to re-arrange your luggage as locals get on and off.

Just make sure that you don't run into any marauding Chelsea supporters!

Taking public transportation is not just a matter of money. It is also the ecologically responsible solution.

Kwaussie - you seem to know the ropes - with wearing your backpacks facing in - really important at turnstiles you must go thru - I have personally seen pcikpokcets deftly open backpacks a crowded lines to the turnstiles - so wyou will be fine as anyone who knows there is a real problem will be and take such wise precaustions as you do.

Yet folks who believe janis' take that there is aboslutely no problem may be victimized.

I have ridden metros in Paris a zillion times and never been victimized but I am always on guard in crowded areas. And yes like kerouac says taking public transportation is the ecological good way and also every metro trip to me is fun - people watching - the real Parisians - getting there to me is as much fun as what I'm off to see many times.

<i>we were charged 100 Euro on our incoming trip. That's nearly $200 for us</i>

Kwaussie - anyone familiar with the taxi fee structures can tell you that if you indeed spent 100€ for a taxi from CDG to Paris, the trip would have had to have taken over 3 hours rather than the usual 45 minutes. Another possibility is that the trip would have been over 2 hours and you were in a party of 7 people.

Taxis are not as expensive as you attempt to make them appear.

What kind of dollars are you using that are only worth 0.50€?

or alternatively, Sarastro, someone took them for a ride.

FYI...

Looking at the Saturday RER B schedule (the one I will be using, but weekdays/Sundays are probably similar):

The non-stops tend to leave CGG 6 min after the locals, and arrive at Nord 3 min later.

...so the non-stops do not pass the locals.

However, if you really want to avoid the local (purely a matter of choice, and I can understand why many tourists would prefer to do that), you'll only arrive at Nord 3 minutes later...so it's not a major delay.

SS

http://tinyurl.com/lvox7ed

Look for this train at Gare du Nord. It is 12 minutes faster than the regular trains.

Yes folks with luggage should IME take the non-stop train apersuader shows a picture of on the departure board on the platform - not because it is faster but it will not be mobbed half-way thru as the locals IME often are - folks with luggage will not feel comfy in a mobbed train - not because of any theft problem but maneuvering the luggage around to not block other folks, etc.

IME with luggage definitely take the Sans Arret train.

And yes I was wrong up thread in saying the stopping trains that leave earlier arrive later and will not that in future posts but I remain adamant that taking the Sans Arret is the smart thing to do for folks with luggage.

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-security-safety-tips/

And here are some more excellent tips to avoid being victimized on the Paris metro/RER trains - again despite some here there seems to be a real problem and the more info the better - to defunk the "100% perfectly safe" statements that IMO are simply the worst thing to say.

Be informed and be safe!