RER trains from CDG to paris or taxi?
 

Hi: Can anyone help me regarding the train service from Charles de Gaulle to paris. I am travelling with two teenage daughters and need to get from the airport to Goblins station. I've been told to take a taxi, but the last time I was in Paris I took at train and it was much cheaper. I've heard though that some travellers have been robbed on the train.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Lee

Hi Lee,

This question is asked at least 2 or 3 times per week on this forum. Simply type in your question into the search box and read and read and read. Have a nice trip.

I've always taken the RER except for one time where the pick-up was included w/the apartment. I have two small children & I would still opt for the RER, but we pack very lightly. You may want to take that into consideration.

Better heading in the seach box would be: RER from CDG to Paris.

I'm sure someone has been robbed on the RER, and probably on every train at some time, anywhere. I think maybe pickpocketing would be more probably, not being robbed, but if you take care of your things, there shouldn't be a problem.

HOwever, the place you want to go doesn't have the most direct transporation route, so you are going to have to decide if you want convenience (and probably more safe, espec if you aren't careful), or to save money. A taxi wouldn't even be that much more expensive that the train, on a per person basis. Okay, if you are counting each euro, it will be, of course.

You'll have to take the RER to Denfert Rochereau, transfer to the metro to Plce d'Italie and then transfer again to get to Gobelins. Alternatively take the RER to Chatelet/Les Halles and then walk to the Chatelet metro station (a couple blocks) and take the metro direct from there to Gobelins. There are other permutations, including getting out at Port Royal and taking the 91 bus east on bd Port Royal to Gobelins.

If I were you, I'd take a taxi.

I agree with Christina - take a taxi, it's worth it for the convenience if nothing else (to me luggage and public transportation are not a great combination).

Also - at any point in time - in any city - on any train - someone is probably encountering a pickpocket. It's a fact of life with crowds of people. Use commonsense and stay alert. If you are aware of your surroundings and the people around you, you are less likely to be a target.

RER should be fine.....I maneuvered it though dog tired and overladen with luggage...it is cheaper than a taxi...

I have to admit I look forward to the RER trip. It is the first thing that makes me realize that I am in Paris. (CDG & its horrificness aside).

Bonjour from Paris! We just schlepped through the infamous Chatelet/ Les Halles station this afternoon, and it is a pain in the drain, even if you are not coming off an overnight flight and dragging luggage. The place is huge and changing from RER to Metro requires lots of walking.
I just checked the www.ratp.fr site and it suggets taking the RER B from CDG to the Saint-Michel Notre Dame station, then catching the #47 bus in the direction of Fort du Kremlin - Bicetre to the Gobelins stop. Using the bus is pretty easy - each stop is clearly marked with the lines that stop there. Sure sounds preferable to navigating through the Chatelet station.
The cost for this RER/bus would be about 25 euro for all 3; a taxi would cost about twice that, maybe a little more. If you aren't concerned about the cost, go with the taxi as it is more convenient.

Thanks for your suggestions, taxi is looking like the best way to go, and with 2 teenagers it might make things easier.
OK next question, I'm assuming that I can get a taxi right outside of the terminal, or should I pre-book at taxi?
Lee

Though I lived in Paris for six months and took the train all the time, including to and from the airport, on my last trip to Paris we ending up taking a taxi because we were so tired when we got to the airport. Yes, the taxis are right there - just follow the signs, you can't miss them, and if you do, ask someone. No need to pre-book. It cost us about 60 Euros to get to the other end of the city, which blew our budget a little, but it was so worth it!
Have fun.

"should I pre-book a taxi?"

Are you kidding me?

Of course you should pre-book a taxi. Perhaps a 1954 pink cadillac, with a raccoon tail on the antenna, pink pom-poms in the rear window, and a bobbing head dog on the dash.

Are you some type of idiot? Pre-booking a taxi from CDG is simply retarded.

Guaranteed,

Don't hold back, tell us what you really think about prebooking a taxi.

guaranteed - thanks for sharing - now take your pill and go to sleep.

LeeR - no need to pre-book. Just remember to NOT take any of the gyspsy cabs whose touters will approach you. On arrival go to the taxi rank and get only a licensed taxi.

guaranteed, do you have a # or website for that 1954 taxi? I would LOVE to have it ferry me around Paris! Thanks for any contact info.

guaranteed pre-booked a taxi once and then they 'forgot' to come get him for some reason.

Thanks for all of your info. It's been helped and I think I will go the taxi route. Seamus, thanks for the advice regarding the gypsy cabs....I will make note when we get there.

I travelled a lot with my Mother.
And crap like -
"should I pre-book a taxi" drove us kids friggen nuts.
The anal pre-occupation with stuff like pre booking a taxi at GDG, just drove us nuts.
When you are on vacation, you should stiffle your anal inclinations and let it flow, especially when you are travelling with kids.