Are there scams to watch for at CDG arrivals?

The main one is unofficial taxi touts in the arrivals halls of T2E and T2F approaching disoriented travellers with €100-150 'fixed-price' offers — double the regulated rate. Ignore anyone who approaches you offering a ride; walk to the official taxi rank. Other less common: fake 'airport tax' demands (no such thing exists), distraction theft around the RER B ticket machines, and people offering to help with luggage who then expect a substantial tip or worse. Use only the marked information desks, official taxi rank, and ticket machines.

Common Tourist Scams in Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris (and How to Avoid Them)

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-29 · Part of the Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris safety guide

Taxis — the regulated fare and the scam pattern

The regulated fares: since 2016, official Paris taxis charge a flat regulated fare from CDG — €56 to the Right Bank (north of the Seine), €65 to the Left Bank (south of the Seine). Fixed regardless of traffic, time of day, or number of passengers (up to 4).
The taxi rank: signposted "Taxis" outside each terminal arrivals; queue may be 10-30 minutes at peak. Use only the official rank — drivers there are vetted, metered, and bound by the regulated fare.
The scam pattern: unofficial drivers wait inside the arrivals hall (especially T2E and T2F), approaching disoriented travellers with "taxi? €120 to Paris, no waiting" offers. These are unlicensed, uninsured, and the price is double the regulated fare. The standard advice from Aéroports de Paris and the Police aux Frontières: ignore anyone who approaches you offering a ride; walk to the official rank.
Uber and Bolt: both operate at CDG. Designated pick-up zones at each terminal (signposted "VTC"). Fares typically €45-70 to central Paris depending on demand. Legitimate alternative if the taxi queue is long.
Late-night surcharge: official taxis add no time-of-day surcharge on the regulated CDG fare. Uber and Bolt apply dynamic pricing — fares can double during the post-midnight peak.

FAQ

Are there scams to watch for at CDG arrivals?: The main one is unofficial taxi touts in the arrivals halls of T2E and T2F approaching disoriented travellers with €100-150 'fixed-price' offers — double the regulated rate. Ignore anyone who approaches you offering a ride; walk to the official taxi rank. Other less common: fake 'airport tax' demands (no such thing exists), distraction theft around the RER B ticket machines, and people offering to help with luggage who then expect a substantial tip or worse. Use only the marked information desks, official taxi rank, and ticket machines.

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Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.