Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Paris
The RER B train is the fastest and cheapest way into central Paris, reaching Gare du Nord in about 35 minutes. Taxis charge a fixed fare to the city, which is simple if you have heavy luggage or arrive late.
Best for most people: Train. RER B is cheap, frequent and avoids motorway traffic, with direct stops at Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| train RER B from the stations at Terminal 2 (TGV station) or Terminal 1/3 (Roissypole, reached by the CDGVAL shuttle) | about 35 min to Gare du Nord, 40–45 min to Châtelet | every 10–20 min | about €13 (airport ticket) | about 05:00–24:00 | Buy at machines or with a contactless-enabled travel app/card; standard metro tickets are not valid to the airport. Trains can be crowded and works sometimes close the line at weekends. |
| bus Roissybus from all terminals to Opéra | about 60–75 min | every 15–20 min | about €16–17 | about 06:00–00:30 | Good if your hotel is near Opéra or Grands Boulevards; journey time depends heavily on traffic. |
| taxi Official taxi ranks outside each terminal | 45–75 min depending on traffic | fixed fare: about €56 to the Right Bank, about €65 to the Left Bank | 24 h | Fixed fares include luggage. Use only the official rank; ignore people offering rides inside the terminal. | |
| ride-hailing Uber and similar apps, from signed pick-up zones | 45–75 min | varies, often similar to or above the taxi fixed fare | 24 h | Surge pricing applies at busy times. | |
| bus Night buses (Noctilien) when trains have stopped | about 60–80 min | about every 30–60 min | a few euros | night only | Slow but the only public option after midnight; check current routes before travelling. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Other airports
- Paris Orly (ORY), about 14 km south: metro line 14 now runs from Orly to central Paris, plus Orlyval and buses.
- Paris Beauvais (BVA), about 85 km north, used by some low-cost airlines; a dedicated coach runs to Porte Maillot.
Tips
- Terminal 2 has many halls (2A–2G); check which one you arrive at, as walking between them takes time.
- Validate and keep your RER ticket: you need it to exit at the Paris end.
- If you arrive after about 23:30, a taxi is usually the most practical option.
- Pickpocketing happens on RER B; keep bags closed and in front of you.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Charles de Gaulle to Paris?
Taxis use a fixed fare: about €56 to the Right Bank (north of the Seine) and about €65 to the Left Bank (south of the Seine), luggage included. Take the cab from the official rank outside the terminal. The fare does not change with traffic, but trips to places outside Paris are on the meter.
How long does the RER B take?
About 35 minutes to Gare du Nord and around 40–45 minutes to Châtelet–Les Halles or Saint-Michel. Some trains run non-stop between the airport and Gare du Nord, others call at all stations. Allow extra time for buying tickets and reaching the platform, especially from Terminal 1, where you first take the CDGVAL shuttle.
Is there public transport at night?
RER B usually runs until around midnight. After that, Noctilien night buses link the airport with central Paris, but they are slow and can be confusing with luggage. For late arrivals most people take an official taxi at the fixed fare or a pre-booked transfer.
Can I use a regular metro ticket to the airport?
No. The standard metro ticket is not valid to or from the airports. You need the specific airport ticket for RER B, or a pass that covers all zones. Ticket machines at the airport sell the correct fare, and staffed counters can help if the machines reject your card.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.