We will by flying home from CDG at 11:45 am on a Monday in Sept. We're trying to decide if we should just stay at our Paris hotel the night before and take a taxi/shuttle to the airport the next morning OR if should stay at a hotel near the airport the night before to ensure we don't miss our flight due to traffic/delays.

Any advice on how long it typically takes if we taxi/shuttle in from Paris to CDG on a Monday morning? Is it worth the risk?

Thanks.

You'll need to be at the airport by around 8:45, and the trip should take about an hour, depending on traffic. Either taxi or shuttle ought to work fine--staying at the airport is safest for early-morning flights, which yours is not.

Underhill's advice is on the money. Adjust it somewhat depending on your location in Paris - how far from Roissy, and how far from the périphérique.

I can understand that you want to make sure you aren't late for your flight, but I also think it would be a tragedy to be stuck at some boring hotel near the airport on a last night in Paris. Just get up early and make sure you are on time. If you are staying near the RER, do some research is it's a really easy way to commute - the train station is at the airport (more or less). Underhill will probably know exactly where. I was too busy trying to come to terms with the thought that I was about to fly out of Paris to pay much attention.

Hi A,

I suggest that you stay in Paris.

We have had a flight out at a similar time. No trouble.

Another vote for the RER (combined with metro if necessary) to the airport if you are comfortable using public transportation (and if you aren't already problaby will be by the time your stay in Paris is finished) for transport to the airport if you're concerned about surface traffic affecting your taxi/shuttle. Note that this is easier if you don't have an enormous amount of luggage.

I've done this several times and it really is quite straightforward. The last time I took a taxi I did end up in a traffic jam not far from the airport and although I didn't miss my flight I was cutting it closer than I like at CDG.

Are you flying into the US? Because if you are, plan on waiting about 45 minutes to one hour to get through security before you get on the plane. If you are flying into JFK or Newark, there will be even more of a delay because security will pull you aside for even more scrutiny--they will pull your passport and boarding pass to do some sort of test for explosives.

I would stay in Paris the night before. Are you staying at a hotel? Just make sure the hotel calls a taxi for you and the taxi picks you up 4 hours before your scheduled flight.

Thin

And definitely give yourself the three hours at the airport. The check in line for Continental to return to the US was unbelievable. We were flying through Cleveland, but the Newark flight took up so much time. We waited and luckily got through all the people and on the security line (which wasn't too bad).

Another vote for taking the Metro and RER to CDG (if you're packing light, that is). The current fare is €8.40. (It will probably go up a little on 1 July.) Be aware that the RER B line divides northeast of Paris so be sure to get on a train that is going to CDG.