Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) Guide
Quick summary
The RER B train is the cheap, reliable way into central Paris — a flat €14, about 35 minutes. Three terminals are spread out and you cannot walk between them: the free CDGVAL automated shuttle links everything.
The bottom line on CDG
The classic CDG mistake is expecting to stroll between terminals: the three are spread across a big site and you cannot walk between them at all. Every terminal change rides on the free CDGVAL skytrain and usually a fresh security check, so budget 90 minutes or more for a tight connection.
Into central Paris, the RER B train is the workhorse: a flat €14 and about 35 minutes to Gare du Nord or Châtelet, far cheaper than any car. For a door-to-door ride, official taxis charge a government-set flat fare — about €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank.
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Traps most travelers fall for at CDG
- You cannot walk between the three terminals — every terminal change rides the free CDGVAL skytrain and usually a fresh security check, so budget 90 minutes or more for a tight connection.
- Priority Pass is generally NOT accepted at the Air France lounges; holders instead get the YotelAir and a handful of independent lounges.
- Official Paris taxis use a government-set flat fare (about €56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank) — refuse any driver who won't use it.
Terminals at CDG
CDG has three terminals spread over a large site. Terminal 1 is the older circular terminal used by many Star Alliance and other international carriers. Terminal 2 is by far the largest, a long spine split into halls 2A–2G — Air France and its SkyTeam partners dominate here (2E and 2F are the main Air France hubs, with 2E halls K/L/M handling long-haul). Terminal 3 is a smaller facility used mainly by low-cost and charter airlines. You generally cannot walk between the terminals: the free CDGVAL automated skytrain connects all three terminals plus the parking areas and both train stations, running every 4 minutes from about 4am to 1am. Allow extra time for connections — a terminal change can involve the CDGVAL plus a fresh security check, so budget 90 minutes or more for tight transfers.
CDG parking rates & options
| Contact parking (P1/P3, near terminal) — 24 hours | About €55 |
| Contact parking (P1/P3) — per day (pre-booked) | From about €16.60 per day |
| Economy (PR/PW/PX, free shuttle) — 24 hours | About €45 |
| Economy — 1 week (pre-booked online) | From about €80 |
| Drop-off (short, near terminal) | Free for a brief stop (kiss-and-fly zones) |
Where the money actually goes at CDG
The gap between the cheapest and dearest parking here is €63.4 a day — €16.6 at the contact parking (p1/p3) — per day (pre-booked) versus €80 at the economy — 1 week (pre-booked online). Over a week that is €443.8, for the same trip.
Calculated from the published rates in the table above — not an estimate. Rates change, so confirm before you book.
🚆 Getting to & from the airport
The RER B commuter train is the workhorse route to central Paris: a flat €14 fare (children €7, plus about €2 for a reusable Navigo Easy card), reaching Gare du Nord and Châtelet in roughly 35 minutes, running every 6–15 minutes from about 4:50am to 11:50pm. Terminal 2 has its own station (Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV); for Terminal 1 or 3, get off at 'Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1' and take the free CDGVAL to your terminal. The Roissybus goes direct to Opéra, and TGV high-speed trains depart the CDG2 TGV station for other French cities. Official taxis charge a government-set flat fare — about €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank of Paris. Rideshare (Uber, Bolt, FreeNow) operates from designated pickup points, usually a short walk from arrivals; prices vary with demand and surge, so the flat-fare taxi is often more predictable at peak times.
CDG vs ORY vs AMS: which airport is easier?
How the traveler experience compares, side by side.
🛋️ Lounges
Air France runs the flagship lounges, concentrated in Terminal 2E (halls K, L and M) and 2F, several offering complimentary Clarins spa treatments, runway views and à la carte dining for business and elite flyers. SkyTeam and Star Alliance partner lounges are spread across the halls. Note that Priority Pass is generally NOT accepted at the Air France lounges; Priority Pass holders instead get access to the YotelAir in Terminal 2E/2F (with refreshments, showers and quiet zones) and a handful of independent lounges. Paid walk-in access is available at some lounges if you're not flying premium or hold no membership.
📶 Wi-Fi
CDG offers free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the terminals — connect to the airport network ('WIFI-AIRPORT') and accept the terms; there's no meaningful time limit for standard browsing.
😴 Layovers & overnight
For a long or overnight layover, Terminal 2E is the best hub — it's the largest, has the most dining and shopping, and airside spaces stay busier late. The standout for actual rest is YotelAir Paris CDG, a transit hotel in Terminal 2E/2F (connecting the halls) that rents compact cabins by the hour or overnight, with beds and showers — bookable without going landside. Attached hotels (Sheraton at CDG2, plus Ibis/Novotel/Pullman a short shuttle away in the Roissypôle hub) are good for a full night. Airside areas quiet down overnight but the airport is a major 24-hour hub, so you won't be forced out the way you would be at some airports. Seating airside can be limited and cold overnight, so a YotelAir cabin or nearby hotel is worth it for a long wait.
Insider tips
- Buy the flat €14 airport RER B ticket (or load a Navigo Easy card) — don't overpay for taxis if you're heading to central Paris and traveling light.
- Learn your terminal before you land: Air France long-haul is usually 2E, and the CDGVAL is the only way to hop between terminals.
- Official Paris taxis use a fixed flat fare (about €56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank) — refuse any driver who won't use it.
- For a red-eye connection, book a YotelAir cabin in T2E/2F airside instead of trying to sleep in the seating areas.
- Allow 90+ minutes for terminal changes — a connection can mean CDGVAL plus a full security re-screen.
CDG airport — FAQ
＋ − What is the cheapest way from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris?
The RER B train at a flat €14 (about 35 minutes to Gare du Nord/Châtelet) is the cheapest reliable option. The Roissybus to Opéra is a similar price. Both are far cheaper than a taxi or rideshare.
＋ − How much is parking at Charles de Gaulle?
Contact parking (P1/P3, near the terminal) is about €55 for 24 hours, or from around €16.60 per day if pre-booked online. Economy lots (PR/PW/PX, with a free shuttle) run about €45 for 24 hours and from about €80 per week booked ahead.
＋ − How do I transfer between terminals at Charles de Gaulle?
You cannot walk between CDG terminals. Use the free CDGVAL automated skytrain, which links all three terminals, the parking lots and both train stations, running every 4 minutes from roughly 4am to 1am.
＋ − Is Wi-Fi free at Charles de Gaulle?
Yes. CDG provides free unlimited Wi-Fi across the terminals — connect to the airport network and accept the terms, with no strict time limit.
＋ − Is there a good place to sleep during an overnight layover at CDG?
Yes. YotelAir Paris CDG in Terminal 2E/2F rents compact cabins by the hour or overnight, with beds and showers, airside — the best in-terminal rest option. Attached and nearby Roissypôle hotels work for a full night.
Sources & official links
This guide is independent and not affiliated with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Parking rates, terminal layouts, and transit options change often — always confirm on the airport's official website before you travel.