Paris Main Airports to City Center Travel Guide
Getting from Paris Airports to the City Centre
Everything you need to know before you land — CDG, Orly, and Beauvais, all covered in one place.
You’ve landed. The city is waiting. But before the croissants and the cobblestones, there’s one decision that will shape your first impression of Paris: how you get from the airport to your hotel.
Paris has three international airports, each at a different distance from the centre — and each with its own transport dynamics. Choosing the wrong option can mean long queues, confusing rail connections, and arriving exhausted before your trip has even started.
This guide breaks down every option honestly, so you can make the right call for your situation — whether you’re solo, with family, or arriving after a long-haul flight.
Paris’s Three International Airports
Not all Paris airports are equal — and knowing which one you’re arriving into changes everything about your transfer plan.
Charles de Gaulle
France’s largest airport and the primary arrival point for intercontinental flights. Traffic on the A1 can significantly affect journey times.
Paris Orly
Closer to central Paris and often quicker to travel from. Handles many European short-haul and French domestic connections.
Beauvais-Tillé
Often used by Ryanair and other budget airlines. The distance to Paris is frequently underestimated — planning your onward journey here is essential.
How to Get to Paris City Centre
Three main transfer options — each with real advantages and real limitations depending on your situation.
Train & public transport
Paris has an extensive rail network connecting its airports to major city stations. From CDG, the RER B line runs direct to Gare du Nord and Châtelet–Les Halles. From Orly, travellers use the Orlyval shuttle to connect with regional rail lines.
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Best for
- Solo travellers
- Light luggage only
- Budget-conscious
- Familiar with rail travel
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Watch out for
- Stairs & long walks
- Rush hour crowding
- Multiple connections
- Limited with children
Official airport taxis
Licensed taxis operate from designated ranks outside all terminals and offer fixed fares to central Paris. No booking required — you join the queue and take the next available cab. Fixed rates from CDG are set by the prefecture.
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Best for
- Direct hotel drop-off
- No pre-booking needed
- Simple, familiar option
- Regulated fixed fares
-
Watch out for
- Long queues at peak times
- No vehicle choice
- Child seats rarely available
- Traffic unpredictability
Private pre-booked transfer
A pre-arranged driver meets you in the arrivals hall with your name sign — no queuing, no confusion, no navigating with luggage. Your flight is monitored for delays, so the driver adjusts automatically. Vehicles are selected for comfort and luggage space, with child seats available on request.
-
Best for
- Families with children
- Long-haul arrivals
- Multiple suitcases
- First-time Paris visitors
-
Watch out for
- Higher upfront cost
- Requires advance booking
Journey Time Comparison
Approximate transfer times from each airport by transport method — based on average conditions, excluding delays.
| Airport | Train / Public | Taxi | Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles de Gaulle (CDG) ~25 km from centre | 35–50 min | 30–60 min | 30–50 min |
| Paris Orly (ORY) ~18 km from centre | 35–50 min | 25–45 min | 25–40 min |
| Beauvais (BVA) ~85 km from centre | 90+ min | 75–90 min | 75–85 min |
Times are estimates only. Traffic conditions, terminal distance, and time of day affect all options. Private transfer times assume direct hotel drop-off with no intermediate stops.
Which Option Is Right for You?
The best transfer depends less on price and more on who you’re travelling with and what you’re carrying.
Choose the train if…
- Travelling alone
- Light luggage only
- Comfortable with rail systems
- On a tight budget
- Arriving off-peak
Choose a taxi if…
- No pre-booking flexibility
- Travelling in a small group
- Comfortable waiting in queues
- No specific vehicle requirements
Choose private transfer if…
- Travelling with children
- Long-haul or overnight flights
- Multiple suitcases or strollers
- First visit to Paris
- Elderly or less mobile travellers
WishParis Airport Transfers
For travellers who want to arrive without the guesswork. Pre-booked, professionally managed, and monitored from the moment your flight lands.
Before You Leave the Airport
Validate your RER ticket before boarding
French rail inspectors are present on airport lines. Unvalidated tickets — even if purchased — result in on-the-spot fines. Validate at the yellow machines before the platform gates.
Only use official taxi ranks
Unlicensed drivers approach arriving passengers inside terminals. Always follow signs to the official taxi rank (file de taxis) outside the terminal. Fixed fares are posted at the rank.
Beauvais is further than you think
Many travellers underestimate the 85 km distance from Beauvais. Add buffer time for the coach connection to Paris and allow extra for onward travel. Pre-booking is especially important here.
Rush hour hits rail and road alike
Between 7–9 am and 5–7 pm, RER platforms get crowded and road traffic slows considerably. If possible, schedule your arrival outside these windows, particularly for CDG.
Child seats must be requested in advance
Standard taxis do not carry child seats. If travelling with young children, book a private transfer in advance and specify your requirements — sizes and ages — at the time of booking.
Currency isn’t an issue at CDG
Card payments are widely accepted across all three Paris airports — at ticket machines, kiosks, and taxi meters. There is no need to exchange currency before travelling into the city.