Charles de Gaulle Airport welcomes passengers from all over the world, but almost everyone immediately has the same question: Paris is so close, how can I get there quickly and without any hassle? You’ve collected your luggage, bought your tickets, and in just half an hour you’ll be arriving at one of the city’s central stations. We recommend using the most convenient form of transport: suburban trains.
» READ MORE – How to get from the airport to Paris: RoissyBus coaches
If travelling by public transport seems too tiring, or if you are arriving or departing very late or very early, we advise you to book a taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Another alternative is to rent a car in advance and pick it up right at the airport.
Finally, if you have a very early flight, you can choose a hotel either at the airport or as close as possible.
Select a hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport» READ MORE – Living near the airport: hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport
What is the RER B train?
The RER B is the electric train that everyone in Paris uses: tourists with suitcases and students with textbooks. You can get on directly at the airport, and in half an hour you’ll be in the city centre – no need to worry about how to get there.
Stations at Charles de Gaulle Airport
There are two RER B stations at Charles de Gaulle, and it is important to choose the right one.
Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV is considered the main transport hub of the airport. From here, you can take the RER B train to Paris, high-speed TGV trains, and even the Eurostar. The CDGVAL automatic train (Terminal 2 – Gare) also stops here, making it easy to move between terminals.
At the entrance, you will also find stops for RATP buses (350 and 351), the Roissybus express, the Noctilien night bus, and the Magical Shuttle, which takes you directly to Disneyland without transfers.
Tickets and prices
It’s best to buy your train ticket to Paris right at the airport: ticket machines and ticket offices are located at the entrance to the RER station. The machines offer an interface in several languages, making them easy to use.
If you prefer to keep everything on your phone, use the Île-de-France Mobilités app or download your ticket to your Navigo Easy card.
| «airport–Paris» ticket | 13,20 € |
The key thing to remember is that a regular city metro ticket will not work here; you need a special «airport–Paris» ticket.
» READ MORE – Paris. How much does it cost?
Travel time and schedule
The RER B train connects Charles de Gaulle Airport with Paris.
There is only one line, but it has two branches in the north: some trains go to Mitry-Claye, while others go to the airport.
The line that ends at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV station is the one you need. The train stops twice at the airport:
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 – Terminals 1 and 3 (connected to the platform by the CDGVAL automatic train)
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV – Terminal 2 and transfers to high-speed trains
| Travel time to the center is about 30–35 minutes. | Trains run every 10–15 minutes. |
From the airport, the train travels directly through the centre of Paris without any transfers:
- Gare du Nord – convenient for changing to other RER and metro lines
- Châtelet–Les Halles – the largest transport hub, located in the heart of Paris
- Saint-Michel – Notre-Dame – close to the Latin Quarter and Île de la Cité
Pros and cons of the RER B
Each way of getting from Charles de Gaulle to Paris has its strengths and weaknesses. The RER B train is no exception: it is considered the fastest option, but it also has some nuances that are best to know in advance.
If your flight arrives at night, you won’t be able to take the RER B, as trains stop running around midnight. However, Noctilien night buses operate from the terminals. The N140 and N143 go directly from the airport to Gare de l’Est station in Paris.
The RER B train remains the most reliable way to travel from Charles de Gaulle to Paris: it is fast, unaffected by traffic jams, and takes you directly to the city centre in just half an hour. With all options in mind, you can choose the one that suits you best.
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