Getting from Paris Airports to the City — 2026 Guide

At a glance

Taxi and Uber overview

Paris taxis have fixed fares from airports (€55 CDG Right Bank, €62 Left Bank; €37/€44 from Orly). For a detailed comparison of pre-booked transfer services, see our side-by-side comparison of all 4 platforms for Paris.

Public transport from the airport

RER B from CDG (35 min, €11.50) is efficient but crowded, involves stairs with luggage, and doesn't run after midnight. ORLYVAL + RER B from Orly is similar. Neither works well with heavy bags or children.

Getting to the city by train

From CDG: The RER B train runs every 10–15 minutes to Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel — €11.80, taking 35–50 minutes. It's the fastest option but can be crowded and uncomfortable with heavy luggage during rush hour. The CDG Express (opening 2027) will offer a premium 20-minute service to Gare de l'Est.

From Orly: The Orlyval automated train connects to the RER B at Antony station — €14.10 total to central Paris, taking 40 minutes. Alternatively, Tram T7 connects to Villejuif station (Metro Line 7) for just €2.10 but takes longer.

From Beauvais: There's no direct train. The official shuttle bus to Porte Maillot takes 75–90 minutes and costs €17. This is the one Paris airport where pre-booked transfers offer the biggest advantage over public transport.

Bus and shuttle options

Roissybus runs from CDG to Opéra every 15–20 minutes (€16.20, 60–75 minutes). It's comfortable with luggage space but slow in traffic.

Orlybus connects Orly to Denfert-Rochereau (€11.20, 30–40 minutes). Reliable and frequent.

Night buses: Noctilien N140 and N143 run from CDG to Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord through the night. From Orly, N31 and N131 run to central Paris. Tickets are €2.10 but journey times are 90+ minutes.

Shared shuttles: SuperShuttle and other shared door-to-door services operate from CDG and Orly. Expect €20–30 per person with multiple hotel stops adding 30–60 minutes to your journey.

Terminal-by-terminal guide

CDG Terminal 1: Star Alliance airlines. The RER station is accessible via CDGVAL automatic train (5 minutes). Transfer meeting points are typically in the Arrivals hall at door 24–26.

CDG Terminal 2: Divided into halls 2A–2G spread over a large area. The RER station is directly at Terminal 2. Confirm your exact terminal letter — walking between 2A and 2G takes 15+ minutes.

CDG Terminal 3: Budget airlines (Ryanair, Wizz Air). A free shuttle connects to Terminal 1 and the RER station. Very basic facilities — don't plan to wait here long.

Orly: Two areas — Orly 1-2 (formerly South) and Orly 3-4 (formerly West). Connected by the free Orlyval people mover. Most international flights use Orly 1-2.

Money-saving tips for Paris airports

Buy Navigo Easy: Load it with single tickets (t+ at €2.10 each) for use on metro, bus, and RER within Paris. Cheaper than buying individual tickets and works on all public transport.

RER B off-peak: No off-peak discount exists for CDG routes, but avoiding rush hours (7–9am, 5–7pm) means getting a seat and faster journey times.

Groups of 3+: A sedan transfer from CDG (€55–70) is competitive with 3 RER tickets (€35.40) plus a taxi from your metro stop to the hotel. With luggage, the transfer wins on convenience.

Skip Beauvais if possible: Despite cheap flights to Beauvais, the €17 shuttle + 90 minutes makes total travel cost/time comparable to CDG flights. If you must use Beauvais, a shared transfer is the best option.

Transfer service prices from Paris airport

Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Paris for detailed pricing by route.

Local travel nuances

Currency: EUR (€). ATMs are available in all airport terminals.

Language: French (English widely understood at airports) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.

Tipping: Not required. French service charges are included by law. Rounding up by €2-5 for good service is appreciated.

Safety: Watch for unlicensed 'taxi' touts inside CDG terminals. Only use the official taxi rank or pre-booked services.

SIM / connectivity: French SIM cards from Orange, SFR, or Free available at CDG. €10-20 for tourist packages with data. EU roaming is free for EU residents.

Tips for Paris airport transfers

Tip 1: CDG has 3 terminal complexes connected by a shuttle — confirm your terminal and share your flight number.

Tip 2: Paris traffic is brutal during morning (7:30–9:30) and evening (17:00–19:30) rush hours. Budget 60–90 minutes from CDG during peak times.

Tip 3: Beauvais airport is 85 km from Paris — a pre-booked transfer is essential as there's no good public transport option.

Tip 4: Paris taxi drivers are required to accept credit cards, but some pre-booked transfer drivers prefer cash — check payment options when booking.