Unexpected, but very convenient. There is a railway station at Charles de Gaulle Airport. High-speed trains run from there to almost all of France, as well as to Belgium. In this article, we will tell you how to find it and buy a train ticket.
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How to find the station at Charles de Gaulle Airport?
It is not difficult to find the train station at Charles de Gaulle Airport: it is located directly in Terminal 2, between zones 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F.
- From 2A, it takes about ten minutes via the connecting corridor or by the Paris Aéroport N1 bus
- For passengers from 2C–2F, the journey takes 10–15 minutes. If you are arriving here, simply follow the signs for «Gares SNCF» or «Trains» – they lead directly to the RER and high-speed TGV platforms
- From Terminal 2G, there is a separate N2 shuttle to 2F, from where you can walk
- For those arriving at Terminals 1 or 3, it is most convenient to use the free CDGVAL automatic shuttle: get off at the Gare SNCF / Terminal 2 station, and you will find yourself next to the station
Historical background
The railway station at Charles de Gaulle Airport did not appear by chance. In the late 1980s, the French government decided that the country’s largest hub needed a direct connection to the TGV high-speed network.
In 1989, Air France and Île-de-France signed an agreement to build the tracks, and in November 1994, President François Mitterrand himself officially opened the station.
The project proved popular from day one: 2.5 million people used the station in its first year, and only a fifth of them were foreign tourists. The flow grew every year: by 2006, the figure exceeded 2.6 million, and by 2008, it had surpassed 3.4 million.
According to the latest data, in 2022, almost 13 million passengers passed through the station – a figure that clearly demonstrates its importance for the whole of Europe.
How to get to the station at Charles de Gaulle Airport from Paris?
There are several reliable ways to get to the train station at Charles de Gaulle Airport from Paris. Choose the one most convenient for you.
The fastest and most popular option. The train runs directly from the centre: from Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame, Gare du Nord, and other stations.
There are two stops at the airport:
- Aéroport CDG 1 for terminals 1 and 3
- Aéroport CDG 2 – TGV, where the high-speed train station is located
RoissyBus connects the Opera district with the airport and stops at all terminals, including the station in zone 2.
For budget travellers, there are also city routes: bus 350 runs between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Gare de l’Est, and bus 351 connects the airport with Place de la Nation. These buses make many stops, so the journey takes longer.
When the RER is not running, the N140 and N143 night lines are available. They depart from Gare de l’Est.
You can also reach the airport by car: a taxi will take you from any district of Paris, while a pre-booked transfer will save you the trouble of looking for parking and ensure you are met at the terminal.
If you have a rental car, it is convenient to return it at the rental points operating in all CDG terminals.
How to buy a train ticket?
High-speed TGV trains run from the airport. It is easier and cheaper to buy a train ticket online in advance.
Buy train ticketsTo buy a ticket just before departure, you can use the ticket machine at the station. The machines are located on level 2 and are painted yellow and grey with the SNCF logo.
Buying a ticket at CDG is easy, just make sure you use the correct machine:
- For trips within Paris and Île-de-France, look for the sign «Billets Paris – Île-de-France»
- For high-speed TGV trains, look for the sign «Grandes Lignes»
It is recommended to use cash, as foreign bank cards may not always be accepted.
If you have difficulty using the machines, you can go to the ticket office, where staff will help you purchase a ticket. This is often easier, but keep in mind that ticket offices are not open 24 hours a day.
Since July 2024, the process has become even more convenient: you no longer need to print your RER B ticket. You can download it to your Navigo Easy card, the Bonjour RATP or SNCF Connect apps, or even add it directly to Apple Wallet if you wish.
» READ MORE – How to choose an airport in Paris: comparing CDG, Orly and Beauvais
How to board the train?
Look at the display board in the station hall – it always shows the next departure, the final destination, and the platform number.
Announcements are made in both French and English, so it’s easy to find your way.
If you have a paper ticket, be sure to validate it in the yellow machine in front of the turnstiles – this activates it.
Electronic tickets do not need to be validated: simply hold your smartphone or Navigo card up to the validator.
Where do trains depart from the airport?
The Charles de Gaulle railway station is not only a quick way to get to central Paris. From here, it is convenient to continue your journey to dozens of cities in France and beyond.
Charles de Gaulle Airport offers the Train + Air programme: a single ticket for a flight and a TGV train. This option allows you to fly to Paris and continue your journey immediately.
The advantage is clear: one booking and protection in case of flight or train delays. Luggage is checked in and collected separately, but the programme itself makes travelling much easier.
Trains go in many directions. For many travellers, the station at CDG has become a true gateway to Europe, allowing them to transfer from plane to train without going to central Paris.
If you travel with connections, you can reach any point in France.
South-West France
South and Mediterranean
Valenciennes
Nîmes
Perpignan
Aix-en-Provence
Toulon
Charles de Gaulle is one of the few airports where transferring from a plane to a train feels natural. For tourists, this means one thing: you can immediately continue your journey to your destination without wasting time on the road.
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