Charles de Gaulle is huge. Overwhelming. It actively tries to make you feel anxious. Second-busiest airport in Europe and one of the busiest in the world, CDG is a headache if it’s your first time passing through. Three terminals, miles of corridors, a shuttle train between them all, signage designed for someone who knows where they’re going already.
But it’s not impossible. Just because you haven’t figured it out on your own yet doesn’t mean someone else hasn’t. Here’s the CDG arrivals guide: what you need to know to get through CDG airport and into Paris.
Terminal Maps & Layout
CDG has three terminals: Terminal 1 (decrepit, circular), Terminal 2 (enormous, subdivided into 2A-2G), and Terminal 3 (budget airlines and charters). Terminals 1 and 3 share a shuttle train, and all three share a train station with each other and the two RER platforms for Paris transit (CDG 1 and CDG 2).
Terminal 2 is confusing. It’s actually three separate terminals inside one enormous building: 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. They’re all connected, of course, by an automated free shuttle called the CDGVal. But if your flight lands at 2E you could have a 15-minute walk just to get to passport control.
Passport Control and Baggage Claim
Passport control can be fast or it can take forever. If you’re arriving from a non-Schengen country (pretty much anywhere not in the EU/EEA) times vary widely. If you land with five other flights and passport control is empty you can be through in ten minutes. If only your flight is landing and there’s a line you could be there for an hour. EU/EEA passport holders are first. Everyone else waits.
Baggage claim at CDG is generally straightforward. The carousel area is clear, baggage handling is better than it used to be in recent years. Give it 30 minutes and it’ll probably be there. Don’t be surprised if it takes longer if you’re on a long-haul flight.
CDG Airport Transfers
Arrivals and transfers are where people screw up first. The number of ways to get to Paris from CDG is about equal to the number of people who pick the wrong one for the wrong reason.
RER B Train – This is the cheapest option at about €11 per person. The RER B train from CDG goes to central Paris, stops at all the major stations (Gare du Nord, Châtelet). Travel time depends on where you’re going (40 minutes CDG to Châtelet, 30 minutes CDG to Gare du Nord) but is never more than an hour. The downside is it’s slow, crowded, lousy with luggage, and can be confusing if you’re not familiar with Paris transit. And it’s very much public transport with the accompanying pickpockets.
RoissyBus – This dedicated airport bus connects CDG to Opéra in central Paris and is also €16 and takes about 60-75 minutes depending on traffic. A more comfortable option than the RER B, but still a public transit experience with limited luggage space.
Taxis – Cabs from CDG to Paris cost a fixed rate depending on which side of the river you want to go (Right Bank ~€50, Left Bank ~€58). Add time, traffic, and late arrival from a long-haul flight and it’s closer to 45 minutes to over an hour to get in the car. The problem is availability. They’ll probably be a 30-40 minute wait in the line for taxis during peak hours before you even get into a car.
Private Transfers – If you’re willing to pay a little more for convenience a paris airport limousine service takes the guesswork out of the experience. Fixed prices with no surprises, your luggage is handled by the driver, and cars can be pre-booked for pickups 24/7 no matter when your flight lands or what terminal it arrives at. Family travelers, multiple bags, or late night arrivals when public transport is less frequent or you feel less safe at night make private transfers worth it.
Business Travelers
Business travelers, people arriving in Paris for meetings, conferences, corporate events. A chance to impress a client you spend hours in transit after a long flight recovering from jet lag and dealing with public transport? Not a great idea. Limousine service CDG is a better option. It offers flight tracking so your driver is at the right terminal and changes position for flight delays, English-speaking drivers who are local experts on the city, and all sorts of vehicles from sedans to larger executive vans. Booking in advance means you get to airport arrivals and walk right out to your car without negotiating fares or waiting in lines to do it yourself.
CDG Airport Arrival Common Pitfalls
Don’t underestimate walking times at CDG. Terminal 2E is big and the walk from gate to exit can be 20 minutes if your gate is at the far end.
RER B has two branches. Make sure you’re getting on the train to Paris and not the train to Mitry-Claye or other Paris suburbs. Double check signs before you board.
Currency exchange rates at the airport are robbery. Use an ATM or wait until you get into the city. Don’t be that person.
Airport pickup at CDG. If you’re picking someone up at the airport, don’t wait inside the terminal. Parking is expensive, crowded, and complicated. Park at the cell phone lot or meetup outside the terminal arrival hall.
CDGVal Shuttle Train Tips
The CDGVal shuttle connects all three terminals and the two RER train stations at CDG (CDG 1 and CDG 2). It’s free, runs every few minutes, and if you’re transferring between terminals or going to the RER this is your quickest option. Follow signs for “CDGVal” and you can’t miss it.
Food and Shopping
Food, shopping, and amenities at CDG have improved a lot in recent years. Terminal 2E and 2F in particular have expanded options if you find yourself with time to kill. Paul is a French bakery chain that’s all over the airport and fine for a quick coffee and croissant. Sit-down restaurants are available but are hideously overpriced even by airport standards.
CDG has free WiFi but the connection can be spotty in some places. Charging stations are also around but fill up during peak times when everyone’s running a battery low.
General Arrival Tips
Arrive early if you’re flying out of CDG. Security can be unpredictable and navigating the terminals takes longer than you think.
Download the Paris Aéroport app. Has real-time terminal maps and flight information, and real-time waiting times for security, passport control, and more.
CDG-area hotels. If you have an early flight and staying near the airport, there are a handful of hotels in walking distance or a short shuttle ride. Ibis, Novotel, and Hilton are three chains with locations outside the terminal.
CDG isn’t the nicest airport. It’s not the world’s most beautiful building or interior, the customer experience isn’t great, and pickpockets are real. But it works. If you plan your transfer in advance, give yourself plenty of time to figure it out, and accept that the experience isn’t intuitive or simple, you’ll make it through CDG.
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