ALL AIRPORTS AIRPORT ESCAPE
ARRIVING AT

PARIS

Charles de Gaulle Airport · France
CDG
Medium riskUpdated May 2026High confidence

Unlicensed taxi touts in arrivals quote 3x the regulated flat fare. Official taxis are honest and fixed-rate.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

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
WARNING · Never accept a ride from anyone approaching you inside the terminal.
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Official Taxi (flat fare)
€56 (Right Bank) / €65 (Left Bank)0–15 mins💳Card / Cash
RER B Train
€11.80Every 10–15 mins💳Card / Cash
Uber / Bolt
€55–€855–15 mins📱App—
Roissybus
€16.60Every 15–20 mins💳Card / Cash—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Clear immigration (PARAFE eGates for EU + many passports)
  2. 2Ignore anyone offering 'taxi' inside arrivals
  3. 3For taxi: walk to the official rank — flat fare is €56 or €65 by zone
  4. 4For RER B: follow blue signs to the train station
  5. 5Buy an RER B ticket at the machine (card or coins)
  6. 6Expected total: €11.80 train or €56–€65 taxi
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
72/ 100
Stay sharp
  • Scam risk60
  • Public transport80
  • Ride-hailing75
  • Signage clarity70
  • Payment convenience85
04

Fare reality check

CDG → Central Paris
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    €56–€65 (taxi flat) · €11.80 (RER B)
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    €90–€120
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    €150+
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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
06

Paying without surprises

07

Common scams

Unlicensed taxi touts

High risk

Men 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 risk

Bag 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 risk

Someone 'finds' a gold ring near you and offers to sell it — outside the terminal.

HOW TO AVOID · Walk away. The ring is brass.

08

What locals & travellers say

"Official taxi flat fares (€56 / €65) are law since 2016 — no haggling needed."
Redditr/ParisTravelGuideChecked Feb 2025confirmed
"RER B is faster than a taxi at rush hour but watch your bags near Gare du Nord."
ForumRick Steves forumChecked Nov 2024confirmed
09

Arrival checklist

10

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.
11

Specific routes from this airport

Back to all airports