Once upon a time, we dreamed of seeing Paris – now we just dream of getting some sleep before our morning flight. Paris airport has a life of its own at night: rare departures, quiet terminals, and the lights of the runways. Night flights are common: cheap tickets, delays, transfers. But even if the plane arrives at three in the morning or departs at six, Paris does not turn into a desert. Let’s figure out how transport works and what to do if your flight is at an inconvenient time.
Select a hotel in ParisWhat works at night
Paris doesn’t fall completely asleep – it’s just that public transport takes a break. From midnight to five in the morning, the metro and RER stop running, but there are other options.
» READ MORE – How do I get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris on the RER B?
Mission: get to Paris airport
Paris is served by three airports, each with its own rules: Charles de Gaulle is awake, Orly is asleep, and Beauvais is completely closed until dawn. We’ve put together the essentials to make your journey to the airport a smooth one.
How to get to Charles de Gaulle at night
Paris’ main airport is open 24 hours a day. If your flight is early, you can arrive in advance and wait comfortably inside the terminal.
| RER B train | RoissyBus |
| from 4:50 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. | from 5:15 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. |
Noctilien N140 and N143 buses run from Gare de l’Est every 30–60 minutes.
- The journey takes about an hour
- There are stops at each terminal, and the display board will help you avoid confusion
» READ MORE – Railway station at Charles de Gaulle Airport
How to get to Orly at night
Before planning your journey, it is worth remembering that Orly is open 24 hours a day, but night-time hours are special here. After 11 p.m., life comes to a standstill – cafés close and traffic almost stops.
- The Orlyval mini-metro does not run from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
» READ MORE – Orly Airport in Paris: how to get there quickly and easily
How to get there at night? The most affordable option is the N31 (Juvisy) and N131 (Brétigny) night buses, which depart from Gare de Lyon approximately once an hour.
You can arrive early and spend the night in a hotel at or near the airport, which is often more convenient than looking for transport in the middle of the night.
How to get to Beauvais at night
To be honest, you don’t need to go to Beauvais at night – there are no flights at this time, and the airport is closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. If you have an early departure or late arrival, that’s a different story: then it’s worth spending the night nearby so you can be there on time.
- Taxis are the only 24-hour option, but they are expensive
- You can get there on Aerobus buses, which run according to the flight schedule – they do not run later or earlier
Practical tips
- Where to spend the night: Charles de Gaulle and Orly have 24-hour waiting rooms, cafés, and hotels within walking distance. In Beauvais, there are only hotels nearby
- How to navigate night buses: download the IDF Mobilités app or check routes on ratp.fr. All lines and schedules are listed there
- Is it worth booking a transfer in advance: yes, especially if you have luggage or a flight at 5–6 a.m.
- Early flights: remember that the metro closes at 1 a.m. and there may be traffic jams in the morning, so it’s better to leave with plenty of time to spare
Paris generously rewards those who stay awake with it. Even at night, it can welcome you – calm, beautiful, and magical in its own way. Our audio guides also work in this mode: they are available at any time to tell you about the city, even when the rest of Paris is already asleep.
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