Arriving in a new city can be overwhelming, especially the part where you have to figure out how to get to the city from the airport. Crossing the City of Lights off your bucket list? If you plan on spending this summer (or winter) vacation in Paris, this blog post will help you with the logistics. Read along to know how to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris – there are several options so I put together this breakdown to help you choose the most convenient one for you.
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But first, it’s worth mentioning that there are two other airports close to Paris; Orly Airport (ORY) and Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA). These are smaller airports that primarily serve domestic and European flights, as well as low-cost carriers such as WizzAir and RyanAir. However, this blog post will be focusing specifically on how to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris, which is also known as CDG or Roissy Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Paris.
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How to Get From Charles de Gaulle to Paris
Let’s cut to the chase and head straight to the answer you’re looking for – there are 6 of those actually. So, check the following options below, and depending on your itinerary and budget, you could figure out the best way to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris.
#1 How to Get From Charles de Gaulle to Paris via RER Train
Let’s start with, what’s in my opinion, the best way to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris, the RER train. Short for Réseau Express Régional, this train, which takes you from the airport to the city, is the most popular, and efficient, means of transportation for this trip.
You will have to take the RER B line towards Robinson or Saint-Rémy les Chevreuse. You will pass by several main stations in the city where you can get off such as Châtelet – Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre Dame, or Gare du Nord. There are also metro lines at these stations.
Gare du Nord is where I usually get off as it’s a walking distance from my favorite Paris hostels; Generator and St Christophers Inn. Make sure to check out my most recent hostel review for St Christophers Inn Gare du Nord if you still haven’t booked your stay in Paris.
When you’re done with passport control and pick up your luggage, just follow the signs at the airport to the RER station – it should be easy to find. There you can purchase a ticket from the self-serving ticket machines or counters. The RER ticket I bought cost me €11.45 the last time I went to Paris. Bear in mind that ticket prices are subject to change due to inflation and other economic factors. For reference, I bought this ticket back in the summer of 2023.
#2 How to Get From Charles de Gaulle to Paris via RoissyBus
In case you’re staying near the Paris-Opéra station, the RoissyBus will take you straight there in 60 minutes. However, that may vary depending on the traffic, of course. The bus makes a stop at the corner of rue Scribe and rue Auber. Buses are starting at 6 am to 12:30 am every 15-20 minutes. You can buy your RoissyBus ticket for €16.60.
#3 How to Get From Charles de Gaulle to Paris via Local RATP Buses
Besides RoissyBus, two more bus lines can take you to Paris; buses 350 and 351. Bus line 350 makes the final stop at Porte de la Chapelle, making several stops in between, so the full ride can take around 70 minutes. The bus routes run from 6:05 am to 10:30 pm every 15-30 minutes. As for line 351, heading to Paris Nation, with several stops in between, runs daily from 7 am to 9:37 pm every 15-30 minutes. You can buy your ticket for €2.15 if you purchase in advance but for 2.50 if you get it from the driver on board.
PRO TIP: There is no designated space for luggage, so you better be traveling light if you opt for this option.
#4 How to Get From Charles de Gaulle to Paris via Night Buses
If you’re arriving late at night and wondering how to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris, this is a good option. Noctilien buses N143 and N140 will take you to Gare de l‘Est for only €4.30. So, this is a great option if you’re staying nearby.
#4 Car Rental
If you plan on exploring beyond Paris, then renting a car may be something to consider. Just follow the signs within your terminal to the car rental desks. The Charles de Gaulle Airport boasts several reputable car rental companies such as SIXT, Avis, and Europcar.
On the other hand, if you prefer to be flexible getting around in Paris but still have a Euro road trip planned, then you could always rent a car towards the end of your Paris trip. You don’t want to worry about parking after all. I highly recommend you check out Discover Cars, Auto Europe, and RentalCars where you can browse through endless options and book with ease.
#7 Taxi/Ride-hailing Apps
If you don’t want to worry about how to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris and don’t want to put much effort into this, then you might just ease your mind and ride a taxi. Just like any airport, taxis are readily available outside all terminals. Just make sure they turn the meter on so you won’t be scammed. The ride to central Paris should take you 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
#6 Private Car Pickup
Want zero hassle and public transportation isn’t your thing? Well, there’s nothing wrong with being a little bougie and having someone wait for you with your name on a sign at the arrivals hall. The easiest way to arrange this is via your accommodation. When I book via Booking.com, upon confirmation, my accommodation usually sends me a message on the app with all the important info, including the airport pickup option and pricing. If you’re arriving late at night and not on a budget, this is a great option.
Now that you know how to get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris and all the options are laid out for you, you can compare them and see what works best for your budget, itinerary, and travel style.
Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance!
Travel (solo or not) isn’t always rainbows and butterflies – things might go down south sometimes. You might fall ill or lose your luggage, and that’s when you’ll thank me for having your back covered with travel insurance.
SafetyWing offers different travel insurance packages, tailored to your needs, but their Nomad Insurance is my favorite option.
This travel medical insurance is perfect for frequent travelers. It covers lost checked luggage, travel delay, doctors, hospitals, and more. It even covers the COVID-19 emergency quarantine period if deemed necessary by a physician.
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Booking a trip soon? Here are some useful travel resources:
- Book your flight with Skyscanner, Kiwi, CheapOair, or WayAway.
- Book your hostel with Hostelworld.
- Book your hotel with Booking.com or Agoda.
- Get your travel insurance with SafetyWing.
- Hire a car with Skyscanner, Discover Cars, Rentalcars, or AutoEurope.
- Book your tours with Viator or Klook.
- Download an eSIM from Airalo or Jetpac.
- Check out my trip planning tools for more travel resources.
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You might also like:
- Booking a Hostel in Paris? St Christophers Inn Gare du Nord Is the Place to Be
- Renting a Car in Europe: Is It Really Worth It?
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Nadine is an Egyptian curly-head who decided to quit the norm because it just doesn’t suit her. She ditched her 9-5 as a magazine editor to pursue her dream of becoming a full-time digital nomad and to inspire aspiring travelers to embark on their own solo adventures.
The logistics of travel, particularly on the ground, can really be frightening for some travelers. This is
good information and provides every kind of traveler and every budget options. Well done. I’m saving!
Exactly why I put this together 🙂 Happy to be of any help!
This is super helpful to think through before visiting Paris. I didn’t realize there were so many options;
you’d think it’d just be a train or car, but the buses seem like a great option!
I know, right!! There’s definitely an option for every person with different schedules/budgets.
This guide is super helpful! I hate working out the logistics of getting from the airport to the city so
usually just book a private transfer for the convenience. Next time I’m in Paris I’m going to come back to
your guide to explore other options – thanks for pulling all this info together!
Same here! That’s why I didn’t wanna keep this info when I managed to pull it out myself hehe Glad I could be of any help to other solo travelers 🙂