Paris is served by three airports, each at a different distance from the city and with its own transfer options. Charles de Gaulle handles most long-haul and international flights, Orly serves many short-haul and domestic routes, and Beauvais is the distant budget-airline base used mainly by Ryanair. Here is how to reach the centre from each one without wasting time or money.
From Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Charles de Gaulle — usually abbreviated to CDG, though Parisians often just say Roissy — sits about 25 km north-east of central Paris. It has three terminals connected by a free shuttle bus (the CDGVAL automated people mover links T1, T2 and T3). The journey into the city takes roughly 35–50 minutes by rail, depending on where you are staying.
RER B — the standard choice
The RER B is the main public transport link and the one most travellers use. Trains run every 10–15 minutes from early morning until around midnight and stop at key central stations including Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame, connecting there to the Metro network.
A single ticket into central Paris (Zones 1–5) costs several euros — check the current fare at the Île-de-France Mobilités ticket machines, which are in the airport station. Navigo weekly and monthly passes cover Zone 5 and are worth considering if you will be in Paris for a week or more. The train from CDG takes about 35 minutes to Gare du Nord.
One practical note: RER B trains from the airport split during peak hours. Make sure you board a train that is going to central Paris (direction Robinson or Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse), not the branch that goes elsewhere. The destination is shown clearly on the platform display boards.
Le Bus Direct (Roissybus and coach services)
The Roissybus is an RATP-operated direct bus between CDG and the Opéra area (near the 9th arrondissement), taking about an hour in normal traffic and somewhat longer at rush hour. It is cheaper than a taxi and avoids the Metro transfer, but traffic on the périphérique can be unpredictable.
Several private coach services also run to various Paris neighbourhoods and to Montparnasse, useful if you are staying on the Left Bank or in areas not well served by the RER.
Taxi from CDG
Official Paris taxis use fixed fares between CDG and Paris: one fare applies for the Right Bank, another for the Left Bank. Always take an official taxi from the marked rank — they are white with a lit sign on the roof. The journey takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic; rush hour can extend this considerably. Rideshare apps also operate from a designated pick-up area in the terminals.
CDG Express (opening soon)
A dedicated non-stop rail link between CDG and Gare de l'Est has been in planning for years. Check the latest status before your trip, as the opening date has shifted repeatedly.
From Orly (ORY)
Orly is about 14 km south of Paris — closer to the centre than CDG, though it still requires a transfer. The two terminals (Orly 1–2 and Orly 3–4, also known as Orly Sud and Orly Ouest) are connected by a free shuttle bus within the airport.
Orlyval + RER B
The Orlyval is an automated light metro that runs between the airport terminals and Antony station, where you change to the RER B for the rest of the journey into central Paris. The combined journey to central stations takes about 35–40 minutes. You need a single combined ticket (Orlyval + Zones 1–5 RER) rather than a standard Metro ticket — ticket machines at the airport sell the right product.
Orlybus
The Orlybus runs directly from Orly to Denfert-Rochereau on the Left Bank (14th arrondissement), where you can change to the RER B or Metro. Journey time is about 30 minutes in light traffic. A standard Zone 1–5 ticket covers this bus.
Tram T7
Tram line T7 connects Orly to Villejuif–Louis Aragon on Metro line 7, giving access to central Paris. It is slower than the Orlyval but cheaper and easy to use with a standard Zone 1–5 ticket.
Taxi from Orly
As with CDG, fixed taxi fares apply between Orly and central Paris — Left Bank and Right Bank fares differ slightly. The journey is typically 20–45 minutes, depending on traffic. Official taxis queue at the marked ranks outside arrivals.
From Beauvais (BVA)
Beauvais is not a Paris airport in any meaningful transport sense — it is an airport near the town of Beauvais, about 85 km north-west of the capital. It serves primarily Ryanair flights. There is no rail connection to Paris; the only practical link is the Beauvais Navette shuttle bus operated by the airport, which runs timed to coincide with flights and terminates at Porte Maillot on the western edge of the city. Journey time is about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on traffic on the A16 motorway. Book the shuttle in advance through the airport website.
A taxi from Beauvais to central Paris is expensive and not recommended unless you are splitting the cost. Factor the bus transfer into your real door-to-door time when comparing this airport with CDG or Orly for any given route.
Budget enough time. CDG and Orly both require at least 2 hours before your flight for check-in and security. From Beauvais, allow 3 hours or more to account for the long bus transfer and the fact that the shuttle times are fixed — miss it and you have a problem.
Tickets and passes: what to know
Paris public transport uses a zone-based fare system. Central Paris is Zone 1; CDG is Zone 5; Orly (via Orlyval or Orlybus) requires a special multi-zone ticket. The Navigo Easy card is a reloadable contactless card sold at station ticket machines — you load it with individual tickets (carnets) or zone-based passes. Contactless bank cards are increasingly accepted on the Metro and RER, but not on all routes and not for zone-spanning fares like CDG, so check before you rely on it.
If you are arriving with a Navigo weekly or monthly pass, it covers the RER B from CDG and the Orlybus/Tram T7 from Orly — check that it covers the correct zones. The Orlyval supplement is separate regardless of your pass.
Which option is right for you?
For most arrivals at CDG, the RER B is the practical answer: frequent, predictable and straightforward for anyone staying near the RER or Metro network. The taxi earns its place if you are arriving late at night with heavy luggage, travelling in a group, or heading to an area poorly served by public transport. From Orly, the Orlyval-RER combination is similarly efficient for most destinations. And from Beauvais, the shuttle bus is effectively the only option — there is no quicker way.
If you are continuing by rail from Paris — for instance to Barcelona or beyond — arriving at CDG and taking the RER B to Gare du Nord puts you close to the Eurostar terminal and several TGV departure points. See the Paris to Barcelona guide and the Eurostar guide for onward connections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from CDG to central Paris?
The RER B train is the cheapest mainstream option, costing several euros for a single trip into central Paris (Zones 1–5). Buses are comparable. Taxis and rideshares cost considerably more.
How long does it take to get from CDG to central Paris?
The RER B takes about 35 minutes to Gare du Nord. Taxis take 45 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic, and can be very slow during peak times on the périphérique.
Is Beauvais really a Paris airport?
Officially it is marketed as "Paris Beauvais," but it is about 85 km from the capital. Always factor in the shuttle bus transfer of around 75–90 minutes when comparing flight prices from Beauvais with those from CDG or Orly.
Can I use my Navigo pass to get from CDG to Paris?
A Navigo weekly or monthly pass that covers all zones (formerly Zone 1–5, now Navigo Toutes Zones) covers the RER B from CDG. Check that your pass is fully loaded and covers all zones; the Orlyval section for Orly requires a separate supplement.
Sources and further reading:
- Timetables and ticket information: Île-de-France Mobilités (ratp.fr).
- Beauvais Navette shuttle bus: Aéroport Paris Beauvais official site.
- Onward rail connections: The Man in Seat 61.