PARISLeaving Charles de Gaulle Airport: transport guide
Unlicensed taxi touts in arrivals quote 3x the regulated flat fare. Official taxis are honest and fixed-rate.
CDG (Charles de Gaulle Airport) is the main international airport serving Paris, France. The recommended way out is Take an official taxi (flat fare) or the RER B train (~€56 (Right Bank) / €65 (Left Bank) flat by taxi · €11.80 by RER B, 35–60 min to central Paris). Pickup is at Taxi: rank outside each terminal · RER B: free shuttle from terminals. The most common scam to watch for is "Unlicensed taxi touts". Fares on the CDG → Central Paris route typically run €56–€65 (taxi flat) · €11.80 (RER B); anything above €150+ is almost certainly a scam. Last updated May 2026.
Take an official taxi (flat fare) or the RER B train
- Typical fare
- €56 (Right Bank) / €65 (Left Bank) flat by taxi · €11.80 by RER B
- Journey time
- 35–60 min to central Paris
- Pickup
- Taxi: rank outside each terminal · RER B: free shuttle from terminals
Compare your options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Wait | Payment | Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Official Taxi (flat fare) | €56 (Right Bank) / €65 (Left Bank) | 0–15 mins | 💳Card / Cash | |
RER B Train | €11.80 | Every 10–15 mins | 💳Card / Cash | |
Uber / Bolt | €55–€85 | 5–15 mins | 📱App | — |
Roissybus | €16.60 | Every 15–20 mins | 💳Card / Cash | — |
Your first 30 minutes
- 1Clear immigration (PARAFE eGates for EU + many passports)
- 2Ignore anyone offering 'taxi' inside arrivals
- 3For taxi: walk to the official rank — flat fare is €56 or €65 by zone
- 4For RER B: follow blue signs to the train station
- 5Buy an RER B ticket at the machine (card or coins)
- 6Expected total: €11.80 train or €56–€65 taxi
Airport exit score
- Scam risk60
- Public transport80
- Ride-hailing75
- Signage clarity70
- Payment convenience85
Fare reality check
- €56–€65 (taxi flat) · €11.80 (RER B)ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
- €90–€120ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
- €150+Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
Best ways out, ranked
- 1
Official Taxi (flat fare)
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €56 (Right Bank) / €65 (Left Bank)
- Journey
- 35–75 min
- Wait
- 0–15 mins
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
PAYMENT · Flat fare is regulated by law. If a driver quotes more, walk away.Pros- Fixed price by law
- Door-to-door
- Card accepted
Cons- Traffic at rush hour
- 2
RER B Train
RECOMMENDED- Cost
- €11.80
- Journey
- 35–50 min to Gare du Nord / Châtelet
- Wait
- Every 10–15 mins
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Cheapest
- Beats traffic
Cons- Crowded
- Pickpockets — guard bags
- 3
Uber / Bolt
- Cost
- €55–€85
- Journey
- 35–75 min
- Wait
- 5–15 mins
- Payment
- 📱 App
Pros- Fixed price
- Tracked
Cons- Pickup at designated zones, often a walk
- 4
Roissybus
- Cost
- €16.60
- Journey
- 60–75 min to Opéra
- Wait
- Every 15–20 mins
- Payment
- 💳 Card / Cash
Pros- Direct to Opéra
- Luggage-friendly
Cons- Slow in traffic
Paying without surprises
- Official taxi flat fare is set by law — do not negotiate or accept 'meter' quotes.
- Watch for pickpockets on the RER B, especially near Gare du Nord.
- Contactless works on the métro/RER — no need for a paper Navigo at the airport.
Common scams
Unlicensed taxi touts
High riskMen approaching you in arrivals offering 'taxi' at €150–€200. Unlicensed and unmetered.
HOW TO AVOID · Use the official rank only. Licensed Paris taxis have a roof sign and meter.
RER B pickpockets
Medium riskBag snatching and pickpocketing on crowded RER B trains, especially with luggage.
HOW TO AVOID · Keep bags between your feet, valuables in front pockets, stay alert near doors.
'Found' gold ring
Low riskSomeone 'finds' a gold ring near you and offers to sell it — outside the terminal.
HOW TO AVOID · Walk away. The ring is brass.
What locals & travellers say
“Official taxi flat fares (€56 / €65) are law since 2016 — no haggling needed.”
- "Official taxi flat fares (€56 / €65) are law since 2016 — no haggling needed." — r/ParisTravelGuide
- "RER B is faster than a taxi at rush hour but watch your bags near Gare du Nord." — Rick Steves forum
Arrival checklist
- Ignore anyone offering 'taxi' inside the terminal
- Official taxi: flat €56 or €65 by zone — non-negotiable
- RER B: blue signs, €11.80, watch for pickpockets
- Uber: designated pickup zone, often a walk
- Carry small notes or use contactless
Take it with you
CDG arrival FAQs
- What is the safest way to leave Charles de Gaulle Airport?
- Take an official taxi (flat fare) or the RER B train. Never accept a ride from anyone approaching you inside the terminal..
- Are taxis at CDG safe?
- Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: unlicensed taxi touts — Men approaching you in arrivals offering 'taxi' at €150–€200. Unlicensed and unmetered. Use the official rank only. Licensed Paris taxis have a roof sign and meter.
- Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at CDG?
- Yes — Uber / Bolt works at CDG. Typical cost €55–€85, journey ~35–75 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
- How much should a taxi from CDG to the city centre cost?
- Expected fare on the CDG → Central Paris route is roughly €56–€65 (taxi flat) · €11.80 (RER B). Anything around €90–€120 is high — €150+ is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
- Do I need cash for a taxi at CDG?
- Carry small local notes — Official Taxi (flat fare) expects card & cash. Flat fare is regulated by law. If a driver quotes more, walk away.. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
- Where is the official taxi pickup at Charles de Gaulle Airport?
- Taxi: rank outside each terminal · RER B: free shuttle from terminals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
- Is CDG safe to arrive at late at night?
- CDG is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
- What scams should I watch for at CDG?
- The most reported at CDG: Unlicensed taxi touts; RER B pickpockets; 'Found' gold ring. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
Specific routes from this airport
- → Central ParisOfficial Paris taxi at the published flat fare — €56 to Right Bank, €65 to Left Bank — or RER B for €11.80.
- → Eiffel TowerRER B to Saint-Michel, then RER C two stops to Champ de Mars - Tour Eiffel — €11.80 total. Taxi flat rate to the Left Bank is €56.
- → Disneyland ParisMagical Shuttle bus direct to Disney hotels — €25 adult / €12 child. RER B + RER A is €13.10 total but needs a change at Châtelet-Les Halles.