Best ways to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Paris city center
Paris is one of Europe's most popular and most-visited cities, and for good reason. However getting into the city center from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) can be tricky to navigate if you've never done it before.
Luckily the airport is fairly well connected and has a dizzying array of options to get you from A to B.
TPG has taken a look at your best options whether you're looking to take a train, bus or taxi.
Related: Paris Charles de Gaulle vs. Orly: Which airport should you fly into?
How to get to the city center from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
There are several different ways to get from CDG to the city center, such as by using trains, buses, taxis or ride-hailing services such as Uber.
Taking the train from CDG
CDG has two train stations: the Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1, which serves Terminals 1 and 3, and the Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, which serves Terminal 2. Both are served by TGV and RER B trains, and both are great options depending on which Paris train station you need to reach.
Generally speaking, a one-way ticket from CDG to the city center should cost up to 11.80 euros ($12.81) for adults, depending on your final destination. Children under 5 travel for free.
Here’s how to get from CDG to each of Paris’ main train stations.
CDG to Gare du Nord
It takes around 25 minutes to go from CDG to Gare du Nord train station. To get there, you must take the RER B train toward Chatelet and exit at Gare du Nord, where you can also catch the Eurostar to further European destinations.
CDG to Gare de l’Est
To reach Gare de l’Est, you’ll need to hop on the RER B from Aeroport Charles de Gaulle and exit at Gare du Nord; from there, you’ll need to take a short walk over to Gare de l’Est. The journey takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the walking pace from Gare du Nord.
CDG to Gare d’Austerlitz
From CDG, you’ll need to take the RER B train heading to Chatelet and then change at Gare du Nord onto line 5, headed for Place d’Italie. Then, get off at Gare d’Austerlitz. The journey should take around 50 minutes.
CDG to Gare Saint Lazare
You can reach Gare Saint Lazare by using the RER B train headed for Chatelet. You’ll then want to change at Gare du Nord/Magenta and take the RER E going to Haussmann-Saint Lazare, getting off at Saint Lazare. The journey will take around 50 minutes.
CDG to Gare Montparnasse
Hop on the RER line B train heading to Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse and get off at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame. From there, change onto Metro line 4, go to Bagneux-Lucie Aubrac and hop off at Montparnasse.
Taking the bus from CDG
Charles de Gaulle has RoissyBusy bus stops that can be found at terminals 1, 2 and 3, with several dropoff points in Paris. You can get a direct service straight to Opera. From there you can change to another bus or a Metro service to your final destination. It's roughly an hourlong journey; buses run frequently during the day and every 20 to 30 minutes after 8 p.m.
Take a taxi or ride-hail from CDG
Booking a taxi or a ride-hailing service like Uber is probably the quickest and easiest way to get from CDG to the center of Paris. You’ll find taxis waiting outside all three terminals.
Taxis should be charged at a flat rate of 55 euros ($59.70) to the Right Bank of Paris and 62 euros ($67.29) to the Left Bank. You may be charged extra if you’re traveling with more than four people and need a bigger vehicle.
How to reach Disneyland Paris from CDG
If you’re heading to Paris specifically to visit Disneyland Paris, you can get there surprisingly quickly from CDG. The TGV train from the airport will take you straight to Disneyland in just nine minutes. Buses, including the Magical Shuttle and Eurolines, also depart from Terminal 2 E-F. This journey, similar to hopping in a cab, will take around one hour.
Bottom line
If you’re flying into Charles de Gaulle, there are numerous ways to reach the city center (or Disneyland). Each has its merits depending on your budget and timing.
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- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.