Flying into CDG with kids is an adventure before the holiday even begins. After hours in the air, you still have passport control, baggage claim and the drive into Paris — often with a tired toddler, a baby who needs feeding and a stroller that won't fold the way it did at home. The ride from the airport is the part many parents worry about most. Will the taxi have a child seat? Will the luggage fit? Do we take the train? This guide covers child seats, strollers and the practical choices that make for a calm ride to Paris with children.
The child seat question
In France, children under 10 must travel in an approved child restraint suited to their size and weight. Licensed taxis are exempt from this rule, which is why most don't carry seats, but private-hire cars and chauffeur services are not exempt and must provide the right seat. In practice, that means an infant carrier for babies, a toddler seat for young children and a booster for older kids.
Here's the problem: Paris taxis and ride-hailing cars rarely carry child seats. Some drivers may let you travel without one, but that's not a risk most parents want to take after a long flight. You have three choices:
- Bring your own seat. Most airlines let you check a car seat free of charge. It's safe and familiar for your child, but it's one more bulky item to carry through the airport.
- Rent one with a rental car. Only useful if you plan to drive in Paris, which few visitors enjoy.
- Book a car that provides the right seat. A private chauffeur service fits the seats before arriving at the airport.
When you book with Luxberri, give each child's age and approximate weight. The car arrives with infant, toddler or booster seats already installed, so you buckle in and go.
Space for the gear
Families travel with a lot. A typical family of four can have four large suitcases, two cabin bags, a stroller, a car seat bag and a backpack full of snacks. That simply won't fit in a standard Paris taxi, which is usually a sedan or a small estate car. Many families end up splitting into two taxis — two fares, two queues and a parent travelling separately from the kids.
A Mercedes V-Class van seats up to seven passengers with room for luggage and a folded stroller. Everyone travels together, and the children have space to move and see out of the windows. For a family of three with lighter bags, a Mercedes E-Class works well.
Train with kids: is the RER B a good idea?
The RER B train from CDG to central Paris is the cheapest option, but it's tough with young children. You need to buy tickets at a machine, carry luggage and a stroller through barriers and onto crowded trains, and often climb stairs at your destination station. Lifts are not available everywhere. With one child and light bags, some families manage. With two or more young children and luggage, most parents find a car far less stressful.
Meeting your driver at arrivals
With a pre-booked chauffeur, your driver tracks your flight and waits at your terminal exit with a name sign. They take the luggage trolley, so both parents have free hands for the children. The walk to the car is usually just a few minutes. If you're delayed at passport control — common with long-haul flights — the driver simply waits.
Tips for a calm ride to Paris
- Feed before you leave the airport. The drive takes 35 to 60 minutes, longer in rush hour.
- Pack a small car bag: water, snacks, wipes, a favourite toy and a spare change of clothes.
- Ask for a stop if needed. A chauffeur can stop safely for a toilet break or a nappy change; a taxi in traffic won't.
- Tell your hotel your arrival time so the room is ready, especially for early-morning arrivals.
- Charge devices on the plane. Many cars have charging points, but a full tablet buys peace.
Going straight to Disneyland Paris?
Many families fly in for Disneyland Paris. From CDG, it's about 35 to 45 minutes by car directly to the Disney hotels. There's a TGV from the airport to Marne-la-Vallée, but it involves platforms, timetables and luggage. A direct private transfer takes you from the arrivals hall to your hotel entrance. During Halloween 2026, Luxberri has a fixed-price CDG to Disneyland offer — check the deals page for current prices.
Planning the return
Book the return to CDG at the same time. For a family with luggage, plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours before an international flight. Your chauffeur collects you at the hotel lobby, loads the bags and gets the kids settled in their seats.
Getting through CDG with babies and toddlers
CDG has family facilities that make the walk from the aircraft easier. Most terminals have baby-changing rooms, and families with young children are often directed to priority lanes at passport control — ask a staff member if you don't see the sign. Gate-checked strollers are usually returned at the aircraft door or at the oversized baggage belt, so check with cabin crew before you leave the plane. If you're travelling with a car seat as checked luggage, it will also arrive at the oversized baggage area rather than the normal belt.
Arrival day and jet lag
Long-haul flights from North America and Asia often land early in the morning, when children are exhausted but hotel rooms aren't ready. A calm ride makes a real difference. Many parents ask the driver to take a slightly longer, scenic route past the Seine or the Eiffel Tower so the children see Paris before a nap. Others ask the hotel for early check-in or book the room from the night before. Keep the first afternoon light: a walk in a park, an early dinner and an early night help everyone adjust to the new time zone faster.
More questions
What if the children fall asleep on the way?
Your driver can help carry bags to reception while you carry the little ones.
Is a chauffeur more expensive than a taxi for families?
For a family needing two taxis, one V-Class is often similar in cost.
Can the driver stop for nappies, milk or medicine on the way?
Yes, just ask. A quick stop at a pharmacy or shop can be arranged on the route to Paris.