7 CDG Taxi Rules To Avoid Getting Scammed

Getting a taxi from CDG sounds straightforward, yet travelers keep running into the same problems: drivers inventing fees, hiding the flat fare, and steering people into illegal taxis. Once you see how these situations play out, the patterns become obvious and easy to handle.

1. Flat Fare Rules That Don’t Change

CDG taxis use fixed fares into Paris, and these fares are non-negotiable. The Right Bank costs 56 €, Left Bank is 65 €.

The amount does not change in heavy traffic, during delays, if the ride lasts 90 minutes, or if the driver takes an inefficient route.

Some drivers claim the fare “switches to the meter” when traffic is too slow. The law does not allow this under any condition.

Many drivers run the meter anyway, often calling it “mandatory.” The goal is simple: the meter climbs past the legal fare and the traveler panics.

But the meter has no effect on the final price. A slow ride is still a flat-fare ride.

2. Applies Across Vehicle Types

The airport fare applies to every licensed taxi: standard sedans, vans, and wheelchair-accessible vehicles. Yet travelers report drivers insisting that vans cost more or that “special vehicles” fall outside the rule. None of that is true.

Another tactic is charging the Left Bank fare for a Right Bank address. Areas like the Marais are frequent targets because tourists may not know which side of the Seine they’re on.

Once corrected, drivers usually back down because the regulation is clear.

3. Legitimate vs Fake Extras

Only two extra charges exist on top of the airport flat fare. A reservation supplement applies if you pre-book the taxi, and the meter applies only after the first stop if you asked for multiple stops.

Everything else travelers were asked to pay – luggage fees, stroller surcharges, suitcase penalties, “big bag” costs, or route-based increases – is fabricated.

Drivers often blame detours or blocked streets as justification for extra money. The fare does not change based on the route, obstacles, or traffic conditions.

4. Recurrent Scam Patterns

The same behaviors show up across many experiences. Drivers insist heavy traffic cancels the flat fare. They keep the meter running and push for the metered total. They claim the rules changed “recently.” They apply the wrong bank fare.

Some drivers pitch sightseeing detours to landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Sacré-Cœur as “shortcuts” or “bonuses,” then expect payment for them.

Outside the terminals, unlicensed drivers create a different problem. They approach travelers waiting for Uber or Bolt, pretending to help with pickup instructions, then try to redirect them into an overpriced illegal taxi. When refused, they sometimes turn hostile.

5. How Travelers Shut Down the Problems

Almost every scam collapses once the traveler shows basic knowledge. Showing the official fare rules on a phone is often enough.

Taking a photo of the driver’s ID card makes drivers back off immediately. Starting to dial the taxi police number displayed inside the cab ends the conversation even faster.

Some travelers avoid discussing fares entirely and simply pay the legal amount at the end. Others state the fare upfront to avoid surprises. Both approaches work if the traveler knows the rules and stays firm.

Even simple sentences in English are enough to stop fake charges.

6. Reporting

Travelers can file complaints online through the Préfecture de Police, using the driver ID and plate number displayed inside every official cab.

Penalties for misconduct are real. Drivers have been suspended for several months and fined heavily. This is why many drivers panic when a passenger photographs their ID or mentions filing a report. Repeated complaints can end a taxi license entirely.

Travelers on business trips also rely on official receipts, which licensed taxis can print on request. The printed receipt creates clear documentation if something needs to be challenged later.

7. Alternatives for Avoiding Issues

Some travelers switch to G7 because the app provides a reliable fare estimate before pickup. The final fare usually matches or comes in below the estimate, and there are no games with meters or flat-fare confusion.

Uber and Bolt also work, though meeting your driver at CDG sometimes involves extra walking and dealing with unlicensed drivers trying to intercept passengers.

Others use the RER B instead. It costs about 15 €, avoids all traffic, and stops at Châtelet–Les Halles, which is convenient for many hotels around the Marais.