Paris Airports: Arriving At Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Most international visitors arrive in Paris through Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Located northeast of the city, CDG is France's largest airport and the main gateway for long-haul flights. Paris is also served by Orly Airport and Beauvais Airport, but Charles de Gaulle handles the majority of international arrivals.
This guide explains what to expect after landing at CDG, from passport control and baggage claim to airport transfers, taxis, and nearby hotels. We've also included a detailed terminal map to help you navigate one of Europe's busiest airports and start your arrival in Paris with confidence.
Arriving At Charles de Gaulle Airport
Click to view a large-size map of Charles de Gaulle Airport
After landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), your first stop is passport control. Follow the Arrivées / Arrivals signs and join the correct queue. European Union passport holders use the EU lanes, while visitors from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other non-EU countries use the non-EU lanes. Processing times vary throughout the day, but the lines generally move steadily.
Charles de Gaulle is a large airport made up of several separate terminal areas. The map above shows Terminal 1, Terminal 3, and the Terminal 2 complex, which includes terminals 2A through 2G. Most international visitors arrive at Terminal 2, including the 2E concourses used by Air France and many long-haul international flights.
After passport control you proceed to baggage claim and then customs before entering the public arrivals hall. This is where you find airport transfers, taxi ranks, ATMs, currency exchange services, shops, and transportation connections into Paris. If you've arranged a private airport transfer, your driver meets you in the arrivals area after customs and accompanies you directly to your vehicle.
The map above is good for most visitors arriving at Charles de Gaulle. If you need detailed terminal-by-terminal maps, including gate areas and airport services, the official CDG website provides additional airport maps and navigation information.
Airport Transfers
The simplest way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your hotel is with a pre-booked airport transfer. After clearing customs, you meet your driver in the arrivals hall and head directly into Paris without worrying about train tickets, station changes, or finding a taxi queue after a long flight.
The drive from Charles de Gaulle into central Paris takes about forty to ninety minutes depending on traffic. It gives you time to settle in, look out the window, and watch the city gradually come into view before you arrive at your hotel.
For us, a private transfer marks the moment when the trip to Paris truly begins. The airport is behind you, your luggage is taken care of, and your attention shifts from travel arrangements to the days ahead.
CDG Airport Taxis
Taxis are available at official ranks outside every Charles de Gaulle terminal. They provide direct transportation into Paris without reservations, train changes, or luggage handling beyond your own bags. The trip into the city typically takes forty to ninety minutes depending on traffic.
Paris taxis charge fixed fares between Charles de Gaulle Airport and destinations on the Left Bank and Right Bank. Follow the official taxi signs after customs and use the designated taxi queue outside your terminal.
Paris Airport Hotels
The lobby lounge at the CitizenM Paris Airport Hotel
A hotel near Charles de Gaulle can make sense at the beginning or end of a trip. If your flight lands late in the evening, an airport hotel lets you rest before heading into Paris the next day. The same is true for early-morning departures, when staying near the airport can remove a very early trip across the city.
Some airport hotels are connected directly to the terminals, while others are a short shuttle ride away. The CitizenM Paris Airport Hotel is a popular choice because it sits within walking distance of the CDGVAL airport shuttle and Terminal 3.
Guide To Paris Airport Hotels →
Orly Airport
Orly Airport is Paris's second major airport. Located south of the city, Orly handles domestic flights within France, European routes, and a growing number of international destinations. The airport is smaller than Charles de Gaulle and generally easier to navigate.
Transportation into Paris is straightforward thanks to Metro Line 14, which connects Orly directly with central Paris. Taxis, airport transfers, and rental cars are also available from the arrivals area. The official Orly Airport website provides terminal maps, transportation information, and flight services.
Beauvais Airport
Beauvais Airport serves a number of low-cost airlines. Although frequently marketed as a Paris airport, Beauvais is located about 85 kilometers (53 miles) north of the city. Travelers arriving there should allow additional time for the journey into Paris.
The airport operates regular shuttle buses timed to coincide with arriving flights. Taxis and private transfers are also available, but the longer distance makes transportation from Beauvais more expensive than from Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Visit the official Beauvais Airport website for transportation schedules and airport information.
Terminal 2G Special Information
Terminal 2G is separate from the main Terminal 2 complex. If your onward flight departs from 2G, follow the airport signs for the free shuttle service. CDG provides regular connections between Terminal 2G and the other Terminal 2 buildings, and checked luggage is transferred automatically between connecting flights.
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