✈️ Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport: complete guide to getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport
Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG), also known as Roissy, is the largest airport in France and the second largest in Europe after Heathrow in London. Located around 25 km northeast of Paris, it welcomes tens of millions of international passengers every year. A true air hub, it comprises three major terminals (1, 2 and 3) linked by free shuttles and internal buses. For many travellers, it represents the first stage of their stay in Paris. Once there, the key question is how to get to the center of Paris easily and comfortably.
In this guide, you’ll find all the practical information you need on the different means of transport, the services available at the airport, prices, as well as a few tips to optimize your arrival. Getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport.
📍 Airport location and organization
Charles de Gaulle airport is located on the communes of Roissy-en-France, Tremblay-en-France and Le Mesnil-Amelot, in the Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-d’Oise departments. It can be reached from Paris by car via the A1 freeway in around 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
The terminals are organized as follows:
- Terminal 1: one of the oldest, recently renovated, used by many international airlines.
- Terminal 2: the largest, divided into several halls (2A to 2G), mainly used by Air France and its SkyTeam alliance partners.
- Terminal 3: reserved mainly for low-cost airlines and charter flights.
Free shuttle buses (CDGVAL) link the terminals to each other, as well as to the parking lots and train stations. This makes it easy to move from one terminal to another.
🚆 RER B: the fast, economical choice
The RER B is the most popular solution for getting to the center of Paris. From stations at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, trains depart every 10 to 15 minutes. The journey to the center takes around 35 minutes.
- Main stops: Gare du Nord, Châtelet – Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg, Denfert-Rochereau.
- Price: €11.45 per adult, one-way ticket including metro and bus connections in Paris.
- Timetable: from approx. 4.50 a.m. to 11.15 p.m.
👉 This is the cheapest and quickest way, ideal if you don’t have bulky luggage.
🚌 Buses: practical with luggage
If you prefer to travel seated and avoid the stairs of the metro, direct buses are a good alternative. The best-known is the Roissybus, run by RATP, which links CDG to Opéra in the heart of Paris.
- Roissybus: €16.60, journey time approx. 60 minutes (more depending on traffic).
- RATP buses 350 and 351: standard bus fare (€2.15), but longer journey (1h30 to 2h).
- Roissybus opening hours: 5.15 a.m. to 00.30 a.m.
👉 Ideal if you have several suitcases or are staying near Opéra.
🚖 Official cabs: fixed prices
Official cabs are parked at terminal exits. Since 2016, the government has set flat rates to avoid scams.
- To Paris Rive droite (Opéra, Gare du Nord): €53
- To Paris Left Bank (Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse): €58
- Duration: approx. 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
👉 Perfect for families, groups or late arrivals.
🚐 VTC and private shuttles
Apps like Uber or Bolt, as well as private shuttle services, offer personalized journeys.
- UberX: between €45 and €65 depending on time and demand.
- Private shuttles: from €20 per person (online booking).
👉 Ideal if you’re traveling with several people or looking for a door-to-door service.
🚅 TGV station and regional connections
The airport has a TGV station in Terminal 2, providing direct connections to major French cities (Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Marseille). This is an invaluable time-saver if you don’t want to go via Paris.
🛎️ Useful airport services
Charles de Gaulle airport offers a wide range of services for travelers:
- Hotels: several hotels are located in the immediate vicinity of the terminals (Hilton, Novotel, Ibis, Sheraton).
- Stores and duty-free: fashion, luxury goods, perfumes, souvenirs, accessible after passing through the security zone.
- Restaurants and cafés: from quick snacks to French brasseries.
- Children’s play areas, nurseries and family services.
- Free WiFi: available in all terminals.
- Luggage lockers: at the Terminal 2 bus station (fee payable).
💡 What’s the best way to get to Paris?
It all depends on your priorities:
- On a tight budget: RER B
- With suitcases: Roissybus or cab
- Family trip: Flat-rate cab
- Comfort and tranquility: VTC or private shuttle
- Connections to other cities: TGV
For real-time details of transport and services, visit the official Paris Aéroport website.
✅ Conclusion
Getting to Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport is easy, thanks to the variety of options available. Whether you’re looking for speed, comfort or economy, there’s a solution to suit your needs. By planning ahead and taking into account your arrival time, luggage and budget, you can enjoy a stress-free transfer and start your Parisian stay in the best possible conditions.