Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is 25km from Paris city center. Here are all your transport options ranked by value, speed, and convenience — with real prices and honest pros/cons.
More: When to visit Paris · Paris travel guide
Quick Summary
Fastest: RER B train (35-50 min, $12)
Cheapest: RER B train (35-50 min, $12)
Best overall: RER B train (35-50 min, $12) — best balance of speed, cost, and convenience.
All Transport Options
RER B train — 35-50 min, ~$12
Pros: Cheapest fast option, runs every 10-20min, central stops
Cons: Pickpockets on the line, crowded with luggage, unreliable delays
Roissybus — 60-75 min, ~$15
Pros: Direct to Opéra, comfortable, luggage space
Cons: Stuck in traffic, only one stop in Paris, long walk to Metro
Taxi (flat rate) — 45-75 min, ~$58-65
Pros: Fixed price to Left/Right Bank, door-to-door, 24/7
Cons: Expensive, traffic delays, surcharge for extra luggage
Private transfer — 45-75 min, ~$70-90
Pros: Pre-booked, meet at arrivals, stress-free
Cons: Premium price, still subject to traffic
Tips for Arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport
SIM card: Buy one at the airport arrivals hall before heading to the city. You'll need data for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Currency: Withdraw cash from an ATM inside the terminal (better rates than exchange booths). You'll need local currency for public transport.
Late night arrivals: Public transport stops around midnight in most cities. If arriving late, pre-book a transfer or use ride-hailing apps.
Arriving at Orly or Beauvais instead of CDG
The options above all assume you land at Charles de Gaulle, but plenty of flights, especially budget carriers, drop you at Orly or far-out Beauvais, where the playbook changes completely.
From Orly, the headline change for 2026 is that Metro Line 14 now runs directly into central Paris, reaching Chatelet in about 25 minutes for around 14 euros on the Paris Region Airports ticket. That makes it the fastest public route. The older Orlyval light rail still connects to RER B for a similar fare of about 13 euros, taking closer to 30 minutes. Note that the Orlybus coach was withdrawn in March 2025, so any guide still listing it is out of date. A taxi from Orly starts at roughly 50 euros and takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic.
Beauvais is the one to plan around carefully, since it sits about 85 km north of the city and is not a true Paris airport despite the name many airlines use. The official Aerobus shuttle runs to Porte Maillot for around 17.90 euros one way, taking about 1 hour 15 minutes, with departures roughly every 15 to 30 minutes timed to flights. From Porte Maillot you connect to Metro Line 1.
- Fastest from Orly: Metro Line 14 to Chatelet, around 25 minutes
- Beauvais reality: budget at least 90 minutes door to centre
The common mistake is treating a cheap Beauvais flight as a Paris arrival and missing the last shuttle, which leaves only a pricey long-distance taxi.
FAQ
How far is Charles de Gaulle Airport from Paris center?
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is approximately 25km from Paris city center. Travel time ranges from 35-50 to 45-75 minutes depending on transport and traffic.
What's the cheapest way to get from CDG to Paris?
The cheapest option is RER B train at $12, taking approximately 35-50 minutes.
Should I pre-book a transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport?
Pre-booking is worth it if you're arriving late at night, have heavy luggage, or want zero stress after a long flight. Otherwise, public transport or ride-hailing apps work perfectly well.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.