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Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is Europe’s second-largest aviation hub, handling over 70 million passengers annually. Transport options from CDG to central Paris are plentiful — but the pitfalls are too. This guide helps you make the optimal choice.
7 Transport Options Compared
| Method | Time | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RER B (rapid metro) | 50–60 min | €12 | Budget travellers |
| Le Bus Direct | 60–75 min | €23 | Door-to-door comfort |
| Roissybus | 60–90 min | €18 | Heading to Opéra district |
| Uber / taxi | 30–60 min | €50–€80 | Time-pressed travellers |
| TGV high-speed train | 10 min (to station) | €20+ | Connecting to intercity trains |
| Fixed-price car service | 30–60 min | €35–€55 | Predictable pricing |
| Private transfer | 30–60 min | €55–€90 | Comfort first |
RER B: The Cheapest Option
RER B is the rapid metro line, running directly from all CDG terminals (Terminal 1, 2, and 3) to central Paris (Chatelet–Les Halles, Saint-Michel, Luxembourg, and other stations).
Fares: Single journey €12; youth ticket (age 12–25) €7.
2026 update: The CDG airport section of RER B has had its signalling system upgraded. Peak-hour services now run every 4 minutes — previously chronic peak-hour delays have improved significantly.
Transfer note: If your Paris hotel is in the 4th arrondissement (Louvre), 6th (Luxembourg), or 14th (Montparnasse), RER B connections are convenient. If you’re staying in the 1st or 8th (Opéra/Arc de Triomphe), Roissybus is more direct.
Practical tip: Buy tickets at CDG’s automated machines — English interface available, contactless card payments accepted. If you buy a Navigo weekly pass (€22.80/week), you can use RER B and all Paris metro lines freely — outstanding value if you’re making 3+ journeys per day.
Le Bus Direct: Comfortable Door-to-Door Service
Le Bus Direct (formerly Air France Bus) operates 4 routes — Line 2 from CDG to Arc de Triomphe/Champs-Élysées, and Line 4 to Montparnasse station.
Fares: Single €23; return €36. Children under 2 travel free.
Advantages: Door-to-door service with dedicated luggage space and onboard WiFi. Cheaper than Uber, more comfortable than RER B — ideal for families with large luggage.
Disadvantage: Journey time is unpredictable in traffic; peak hours can be slower than RER B.
Uber / Fixed-Price Car: Predictable Pricing
From CDG to Paris 1st–11th arrondissements, Uber fixed fares run €55–€65 (without traffic) — more predictable than a metered taxi (approximately €50–€80).
Fixed-price car apps: French local ride-hailing apps offer fixed estimated prices with good customer service. Suitable for visitors unfamiliar with Uber’s European operation.
If your flight is delayed, most fixed-price services will wait without extra charge (within 30 minutes of the original pickup time).
Private Transfer: Maximum Comfort
For early flights (before 6 am) or late arrivals (after 10 pm), or if you have significant luggage, a private transfer is the best choice. Your driver meets you with a name board in the arrivals hall and takes you directly to your hotel door.
Book in advance through Welcome Pickups — CDG to central Paris hotel €65–€85, child seats available (specify at booking), free 30-minute wait included.
Practical Information
- Cash: ATMs in CDG arrivals hall — BNP Paribas and HSBC, but exchange rates are average. Bring a Mastercard or Visa card; nearly everywhere accepts card payments.
- Connectivity: Paris public WiFi hotspots are numerous but unreliable. Airalo eSIM 10 GB approximately €15, covering all of France.
- Luggage storage: Terminal 2 at CDG has luggage storage (approximately €6/item/day) — useful if your flight timing is inconvenient and you want to explore Paris first.
- Flight delay compensation: European flight delays qualify for EU261 compensation of €250–€600 depending on delay length — AirHelp can handle the claim on your behalf.
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