Paris would be a wonderful destination for family vacations, honeymoons, and adventures. The adventure begins just after landing at the airport when you get from the Paris airport to city center. Several transport modes are available at the Paris airport to transfer from the airport to anywhere in the city. These modes of transportation are convenient, reliable, and some of them are budget-friendly. It would be very helpful to transfer from Paris Airport to city center if you get some knowledge about it before arrival.
I always prefer public transport when traveling alone, and a taxi or private car when traveling with family. We reached Paris airport during busy hours and faced some difficulties getting a cab. Because everyone was trying to reach the city center from the Paris airport. At that moment, we realized how important it is to know about the means of transportation there before going anywhere.
Paris Airport (CDG)
Paris International Airport is also known as Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s located in the north-eastern side of Paris. It’s one of the busiest and biggest airports in the world, where millions of travelers come and leave for their destinations. The Paris airport also serves as a major transit hub, which means people change their flights at Paris airport to reach their final destinations. The IATA Code for Charles de Gaulle International Airport is CDG.
The Paris Airport consists of three main terminals, which are divided into several sub-terminals. Terminal 1 is the oldest building and is mostly used for international flights. The nearest transportation option depends on which terminal you land at. However, choosing the mode of transport to leave the airport for the city center is totally up to you.
How to Get from Paris Airport to City Center?
Getting from Paris Airport to city center is never a difficult job. Almost all modes of transportation are available to leave the Paris airport for the city center, just like Copenhagen Airport to the City Center. You can ride a train, bus, hire a taxi, or rent a private car to go anywhere in the city.
| Options | Price | Time | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | €11.40 | 25 – 40 Minutes | 24/7 |
| Bus | €16.60 | 60 Minutes | 5:15 AM to 12:30 AM |
| Taxi | €53 to €58 | 30 – 60 Minutes | 24/7 |
Following is the complete guide on how to get from the Paris airport to city center:
1- Paris Airport to City Center by Train
Travel Time
25 to 40 Minutes
Travel Cost
11.40 Euro ($13.25)
Availability
24/7
Reliability
High
The train is a convenient option to reach the city center from Paris Airport. It’ll take around 25 to 40 minutes to reach the city center, depending on the station where you get off. Paris airport has two train stations, one in the Roissypole Building at Terminal 1, and the other in Terminal 2. You will have to take a free shuttle bus to reach the train station if you land at Terminal 3. The train departs every 10 to 15 minutes from both stations, and all trains have stoppages at the central stations of Paris.
Train tickets can’t be booked online from home, but there are several ticket machines installed in various areas of the airport. You can easily get a train ticket by using your international debit or credit card. Ticket kiosks are also available to offer you a ticket if you are unable to use the ticket machine. The train is also known as “RER B” in Paris. So, don’t be confused if you see the RER B sign instead of the train at the airport.
It’s easy to get from the airport to anywhere in the city. Below is the list of main train stations connected with the Charles de Gaulle International Airport:
- Aulnay Sous Bois
- Gare du Nord
- Les Halles
- Notre Dame
- Denfert Rochereau
- Bourg la Reine
- Robinson
- Antony
- Massy Papaiseau
- Saint Remy les Chevreuse
Paris Airport to City Center by Bus
Travel Time
60 Minutes
Travel Cost
16.60 Euro ($19.29)
Availability
5:15 am to 00:30 am
Reliability
Medium
The second option of public transport from Charles de Gaulle airport to the Paris City Center is the bus. The bus travels much more slowly than the train, and that’s why it’s only recommended to those who have booked hotels in Paris near the Opera. Opera is one of the best areas to stay in Paris. The bus goes directly to the Opera area, and there is no need to change buses. The ticket price is around 16.60 euros, which is higher than the train fare. You can buy the ticket inside the bus or at the counters or ticket machines at the airport.
The bus takes around 60 minutes to reach the central stations of Paris. The travel time may increase due to the rush in busy hours. Traveling by bus is one of the things not to do in Paris until you have a solid reason. The Roissybus departs every 15 to 20 minutes from the following terminals:
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2 AC
- Terminal 2 D
- Terminal 2 EF
- Terminal 3
The table below shows the time durations of the bus to and from the Paris airport.
| Route | Starting Time | Ending Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Airport to Opera | 6:00 AM | 00:30 AM | after every 15 to 20 minutes |
| Opera to Paris Airport | 5:15 AM | 00:30 AM | after every 20 to 30 minutes |
Paris Airport to City Center by Taxi
Travel Time
30 to 60 Minutes
Travel Cost
Around 58 Euros ($67.39)
Availability
24/7
Reliability
High
The most convenient, but expensive way to reach the city center from Paris Airport is by taxi. You can get a taxi from every arrival area of the airport. We also took a taxi to reach our hotel because we were traveling to Paris with the kids. We found taxis just outside the airport, but faced difficulty communicating with the driver. The drivers were speaking in French, and we were unable to understand what they were talking about. A local helped us get a taxi, and we started our journey to the Paris City Center.
Sightseeing is one of the most important things to do in Paris, and it begins just after leaving the airport. Our kids were looking here and there from the window of the taxi and became very excited. The good thing is that taxi fares in Paris are legally calculated by meter. We were charged 53 euros from Paris Airport to our hotel located in the city center.
Pre-booking of Private Taxi Drivers
You can hire a private taxi driver from home to facilitate your travel in Paris. We were unaware of this facility, and that’s why we faced difficulty in communicating with local drivers. The private taxi drivers can speak and understand English, which is good for every foreigner in Paris. Use a well-reputed company like “Welcome Pickups” to be received by your hired private driver from the airport. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport, receive you, and drop you at your booked hotel. It’s a great facility that every tourist, especially those traveling with families, should take advantage of in Paris.
What is the Paris Visite Pass, and how does it benefit?
The Paris Visite Pass is a travel card that allows you to go anywhere in Paris without buying a ticket. It’s a great way to avoid big queues to buy a ticket. The Paris Visite Pass works the same as the Copenhagen card in Copenhagen. We got many benefits after buying the Copenhagen Card when we were exploring Copenhagen. That’s why we bought the Paris Visite Pass for 5 days and traveled in RER B trains, buses, and trams without worrying about tickets.
Paris Visite Pass is available in various types, all offering validity periods from 1 to 5 days. Some cards offer travel within zones 1 to 3, and the others allow travel from zone 1 to 5. These passes are the best for traveling to major tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Disneyland, and Versailles.
Tips to move from Paris Airport to City Center
- Prefer to use the RER B train for getting from Paris airport to city center.
- Hire a taxi for comfort if you’re traveling with your family.
- Learn the basic French words before arrival to communicate with local taxi drivers.
- Keep an extra eye on your luggage at the train and bus stations if crowded.
- Get a Paris Visite Pass for travel with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Choosing the right option to travel from Paris airport to the city center is important. Most people use taxis and private cars to leave the airport, especially those who are with their families. It’s an expensive, but comfortable way of traveling in the city of lights. The cheapest way to reach the city center from the airport is by train. Paris has an impressive train network that allows you to go anywhere in the city in less time. Buses are also an option, but they aren’t suitable for everyone. We have prepared this guide to make your journey to Paris comfortable and joyful. We hope it’ll help you in traveling from Paris airport to the city center.
