We lucked out at the CDG airport when a van owner approached us for a ride. It was an official taxi service, but a large one that easily fit all 4 of us and our bags. He had a rate chart, and the flat fee for everything was 500 FF (about $70). The van was right outside, and he delivered us to our hotel door. The best part was he was a really nice guy and we enjoyed visiting with him, using our limited French and his limited English. To reserve a ride with him, his car phone is(06)0947-5899, fax is (01)4893-5440, regular phone 01-4893-5440. (Don't dial the first 0's if calling from the U.S. - dial 011-33 and then the number after the first 0).

Oh, and he was also a safe driver!

Just curious, what is the average cab fee from CDG to downtown Paris or the Marais area?

I'm glad you had a good ride and a safe driver, but you did pay almost twice what you needed to. Our family of four regularly takes a taxi from CDG to the 7me and we usually pay $35-$40, in a Taxi Parisien, one of the stations wagons, not a van.

I'm also glad you had a nice ride, but you should always be wary of anyone who approaches you and offers you a ride at any airport. They're usually looking for someone who doesn't know how much it should cost to get into the city so that they can take advantage of them. As the previous poster said, you paid far more than you should have.

&lt;&lt;you should always be wary of anyone who approaches you and offers you a ride at any airport.&gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>Exactly. Normal taxi drivers don't need to approach anyone. They take their place in the queue and wait for YOU to approach THEM.

<BR> <BR> AFAIK, proposing a flat fee is illegal. And apparently for good reasons, since you were ripped off (assuming this post is genuine and not an advertisment...in which case, it's quite unwary, since displaying your professional phone number to advertize for a scam could have some adverse legal consequences like having your taxi license suspended or cancelled).

We were approached (almost accosted) by a driver from whom we immediately walked away but a few minutes later there was a very polite driver who told us he had just dropped someone off and wanted passengers on the return. He offered a flat rate of 280ff (about $40) for the two of us and a receipt in advance. He had a luxury van parked right outside. We decided to chance it and were glad we did. The ride to our left-bank hotel was pleasant and we really enjoyed conversation with him. Even with a tip to bring the total to 320ff, we knew the price was good. According to our hotel manager, the trip from Paris to CDG should be 250ff-300ff -- average $40-- and that's what we paid on return too. <BR> <BR>

my hotel for this June and Guide books recommend an airport shuttle <BR> <BR> <BR>www.airportshuttle.fr <BR>I've e-mailed them. Yo can reserve in advance and pay either by credit card , US dollars or French francs. Cost is $18.00 for 2 or more $24.00 per single

I didn't think any official taxi service was allowed to approach people in the airport or offer flat rates. I thought they got in big trouble. Aside from that, those shuttle van services are only 90F a person (incl baggage) and I also would just take a cab. I've paid that price (500F) for a personal driver from Carey's Limousine Service for use of about an hour to drive me to several places around Paris, so that fare for airport van service does not seem a bargain. I'm always surprised when people don't realize that those approaching you inside airports are not legitimate; this happens in many cities. Sometimes it may end up okay but you have to be very knowledgeable about the typical fare in that city, routes, reliability of the person, etc. In some cases you can end up in deep do-do if you go with unofficial drivers and they decide to change the fare, etc, at the end of the trip--they may refuse to give you your luggage or worse.

Every airport in the world, I think, has those van/limo guys. SkyHarbor (my home airport) has signs about these 'entrepreneurs', warning arrivees to avoid them like the plague (my words, not the airport's). There are bargains, and then there are bargains; as Christina mentioned, better to arrive safe and sound avec luggage for a few sous more...and for $70, as she did, you can hire a car long in advance whose driver meets you outside customs and helps you with your luggage (THOSE guys are legit).

We've used the shuttle on previous trips and been very pleased with both service and price. This time we were told our arrival was too early in the morning (arriving CDG at 6:15AM from NY)and we couldn't reserve.

I just returned from Paris. Upon arrival our taxi was 205FF to the Hotel Muguet in the 7th. Very nice and safe ride. Our return to the airport was 230FF. Easy and efficient.