Our family of 4 will be flying into CDG-Paris in a week and are staying at an apartment near the Villiers Metro stop. We're traveling very light and hubby wants to take the RER and Metro(to save $$)but it appears so confusing with the different terminals at the airport that I just can't figure out which train, ect. to look for. I did check with Parishuttles.com and they could take us for 52e total, which I think could be a good deal. If anyone can explain exactly which train to take it would be helpful or if you would suggest to just settle on the shuttle. Thanks!

Why don't you just take a taxi? I think that would be the best solution and should be cheaper than a shuttle.

There's only one RER line from CDG, so there shouldn't be any problem in getting on the wrong train, you can't. That is not a simple route to Villiers, however, and will involve a bit of walking. I would probably take the RER to Gare du Nord and then transfer to the no. 2 metro line at the La Chapelle metro stop, which then goes directly to Villiers. I think the La Chapelle metro stop is connected to Gare du Nord, but you have to walk quite a bit to get to it--that's what it looks like according to my map, anyway, but I haven't done it. Lots of underground tunnels, I suppose. There should be signs, look for the corredpondence to the no. 2 line, CDG-Etoile direction.

There are signs in the CDG terminals directing you to the RER stop. There is also a map of the terminals on www.adp.fr

I guess I'll hedge on my statement about a taxi being cheaper than 52 euro -- it's possible it will, but depending on traffic and time of day, it could be about that same amount. YOur hubby sounds like the kind of guy who won't risk a meter ticking, however. If you are really traveling light, the RER/metro should be okay except if you have to deal with small children and lots of luggage for everybody. The walk to La Chapelle looks about the equivalent of 2-3 blocks.

Possibility #1 - RER to Gare du nord, metro line 2 from La Chapelle: although it's the most direct route by public transport, I personally wouldn't recommend taking metro line 2 from la Chapelle. Gare du Nord is a large and confusing station, and getting to la Chapelle metro from there is not easy: it's definitely quite a walk (esp. if you have luggage), and in my humble opinion, la Chapelle is one of Paris's most horrible metro stations. You will have to walk up a few flights of stairs at la Chapelle to get on the line 2 (which runs above ground).

Possibility #2: get off the RER at Gare du Nord and then walk to boulevard de Magenta and get the bus (number 30 goes straight to Villiers). It wouldn't be any further to walk than the metro station.

Possibility #3 - get a taxi from Gare du Nord to Villiers - shouldn't be too expensive at all.

Possibility #4 - get the Roissybus directly from your arrival terminal to Opera, then change to metro line 3. The Roissybuses run every 15 minutes and go direct to Opera. Cost is around 8 euros per adult. Ample space for luggage. Then get the metro line 3 from Opera to Villiers metro.

flygirl-

I will add option #5 to hanl's suggestion.
If you go to RATP's website, they have a Route Finder function in which you can type in your starting & destination stations. Also, it has an option of choosing "least distance by foot".
I plugged your route in and checked "least distance" and I got your option #5:

RER-B to Gare du Nord. Change for Metro Line 4 to Barbes-Rochechouart. Change again to Line 2, all the way to Villiers.

Even though this option requires 2 changes of metros, it is the "least distance by foot" route according to RATP. Maybe do-able if you don't have much luggage.

www.ratp.fr

However, taking the airport shuttle for €52 for a family of 4 or taking a taxi is probably a better option. You will be exhausted after your flight. If you are not familiar with the Paris Metro, trying to figure your way AND changing lines AND hauling your luggage AND making sure your kids are following you AND watching out for pickpockets... You decide.

Have a good trip.

If you do take a taxi, of course be sure to follow the instructions somewhere on this forum for getting the right, authorized type.

From the article I looked at today, apparently there is theft of luggage from travelers on the RER (and of course you already know about the metro). When you are jetlagged, you will not have all your defenses on at full strength, plus your children will of course require some attention you might otherwise devote to pickpockets. In addition, the RER + metro combination for four people is not really that cheap anyway.

Anyway, in my case, I've decided we should take the Air France bus (which is very convenient for my hotel location), rather than some public transit solution, just for those reasons.

You can economize on food and so on once you get to your apartment, but I think that the comfort of having a ride from the airport to your door would definitely be worth it.

Thanks for all the replies. I did get on the ratp site & plugged in our info for various routes but was somewhat overwhelmed figuring it out. The Rossiebus sounds the best as far as public transportation, but am more attracted to the shuttle unless the taxi would be faster. Sounds like we need to look for a taxi that says "parisian" or something on it for a reputable one. Our kids are 18 & 15 so they can manage well. Thanks again!

The Roissybus might be an okay compromise, I just wouldn't do all that running around and transferring bus/metro etc.

A taxi will be faster than a shuttle. First, you have to call up upon arrival and wait for the shuttle. I suppose they may then wait for some other passegners. Then, you may not be the first people they let off. If you aren't that energetic and don't care so much what you are going for a while in Paris, it might not matter and you could be the first ones they drop off.

There's nothing tricky about getting a legitimate cab. You just get in the standard taxi line (queue) at the front of the terminal where you see taxis coming up and being directed by the guy at the head and where the signs in the airport direct you for taxis. This is just like every airport I've been in everywhere in the world. Non-official cabs are the ones where a guy sidles up to you, looks and acts sneaky, and says he'll give you a ride for xxx into Paris or just asks if you want a taxi, and he is not in his car or in the official taxi line and may be trying to head you off inside the terminal before you get outside. This is also the same in every place I've ever been. I think I have seen guys doing this in every airport in the world I've every been in except Vienna.