Getting to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is easiest, fastest, and cheapest when using suburban train RER Ligne B between downtown and the aéroport.
RER suburban train line B is usually the best public transportation between downtown Paris and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Getting to the airport from Paris by RER train is relatively cheap and fast as the train does not get stuck in traffic. RER Ligne B stops amongst others at Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Gare du Nord en route to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV Station. Buses (Roissybus from Opera) offer an alternative to the airport. Pre-booked private airport shuttles are also a good option for groups or when traveling with luggage or at odd hours.
Cheap RER B Trains to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
RER B trains are generally the best option when traveling to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in the north of the city. The trains run frequently and stop at many major stations en route with easy connections to most metro lines.
Traveling on RER B trains to or from stations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle requires a Paris Region <> Airports ticket (or a Paris Visite pass). It has a surcharge and allows transfers to any further metro or RER train in the larger Paris (Île de France) region. Previous fare zones are no longer a factor.
Basic Paris Public Transportation Ticket Prices in 2025:
Single tickets: €2.50 for Metro-Train-RER, €2 for Bus-Tram, €13 for Paris Region <> Airports, and €12 for a day pass. See Guide to Paris Public Transport Tickets for prices and details.
RER Train Ligne B to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Suburban train RER line B connects Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport with downtown Paris every 10 to 15 minutes from around 5 am to midnight.
Traveling times on RER line B trains from the airport to downtown Paris are as follows:
RER B Ligne Station (Traveling time in minutes to / from CDG-2)
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV [for Terminal 2]
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 (2)[change to CDGVAL for Terminal 1, walk to Terminal 3]
- (Numerous stops in residential areas of Paris)
- Gare du Nord (28) – connections with RER D & E trains, Eurostar
- Châtelet – Les Halles (31) – connections with RER A & D trains, Metro 14 for Orly Airport
- Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame (33) – connections with RER C trains
- Luxembourg (35)
- Port-Royal (37)
- Denfert-Rochereau (39) – (Orlybus no longer running!)
- Antony (59 on B4 trains only) – Orlyval connection to Orly Airport (ORY)
Any RER B train may be taken from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris. However, travelers heading to Antony, which has a connection to Orly Airport, should use only B4 trains. Metro M14 from Chatelet-Les Halles is often a better alternative to Orly Airport.
Note: From Paris Only RER B3 Trains Go to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport!
When traveling from downtown Paris to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, use only RER B3 trains with Aéroport Charles de Gaulle as the final destination. (B3 trains furthermore have a four-letter name starting with E displayed on the trains). Trains B5 follow a different route after Gare du Nord and go to Mitry and not to the airport. (If on the Mitry train, change to the correct airport train before Aulnay-sous-Bois station.
RER B Train Stations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The layout of Charles de Gaulle Airport is very confusing. Allow enough time and expect to walk long distances, especially at the massive Terminal 2. It can easily take half an hour from the station to the check-in desk.
The basics when arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport by Train:
- Terminal 2 passengers get off the train at the final stop, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV.
- Terminal 3 passengers get off the train at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 station and walk (5 minutes).
- Terminal 1 passengers also get off the train at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 and then use the free CDGVAL shuttle train (navette) to Terminal 1 — it is not possible to walk there.
- Use the free CDGVAL if at the wrong building.
Terminal and Station Names at Charles de Gaulle Airport:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) has three terminals:
- Terminal 1
- Terminal 2, which is further divided into terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. A shuttle bus is essential to reach 2G and some gates (K, L, M) at 2E.
- Terminal 3
Charles de Gaulle Airport has two train stations with all RER Line B trains stopping at both:
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV Station is the final destination for RER B trains from Paris and is also used by high-speed TGV trains. It is in the basement of Terminal 2 between 2D/2C and 2F/2E. It is a long walk from Terminal 2A and 2B — alternatively, free shuttle bus N1 may be used from here to the station entrance. A shuttle bus is essential to reach 2G.
- Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 Station, used only by RER B trains, is at Terminal 3 (!) in an area also known as Roissy Pole. Take the CDGVAL to reach Terminal 1.
Free CDGVAL Shuttle Train (Navette) at Charles de Gaulle Airport
To travel between the terminal buildings and stations, anyone may use the free CDGVAL shuttle train (navette) that connects the airport terminals and parking areas in a transit loop. It is not possible to walk between most of the airport terminal buildings. The CDGVAL runs every four minutes. It is only a few minutes between each stop.
CDGVAL station stops at Charles de Gaulle Airport are easier to understand:
- Terminal 2 — next to the train station between terminals 2C/2D and 2E/2F. It is a long walk from Terminal 2A and 2B — alternatively, free shuttle bus N1 may be used from here to the station entrance. A shuttle bus is essential to reach 2G.
- Parking PX
- Terminal 3 — next to RER train station Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1: walk to Terminal 3 (5 minutes) but take the CDGVAL shuttle to reach Terminal 1. This area is also known as Roissypole and has several airport hotels and bus stops.
- Parking PR
- Terminal 1 — in the basement of Terminal 1. Take the CDGVAL shuttle to RER B trains at Terminal 3 stop or TGV trains at Terminal 2.
RER line B trains are a very convenient way to travel between downtown Paris and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport. The train does not get stuck in traffic. As RER trains are primarily commuter trains, they do not have space for bulky luggage and can get very full during the rush hour. Since the demise of Les Cars Air France, the Roissybus is the only other public transportation option between Charles de Gaulle airport and Paris. Private airport transfers are convenient. For families and groups, transfers are not much more expensive if the journey would otherwise require several Paris Region <> Airports tickets.
Public Transportation to Airports in Paris in 2025
Public transportation, especially the train and metro, is the best way to travel from Parisian airports to downtown Paris.
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): RER B trains are the best public transportation option, but the RoissyBus still runs to the Opera. Buses are slower but cheap. Private airport transfers are best booked in advance and a comfort after a long flight.
- Paris-Orly Airport (ORY): easy transportation on Metro 14, or Orlyval shuttle from Antony on RER B, or cheapest on bus 183. Book private transfers in advance.
- How to Transfer by Train between Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly Airport.
- Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA): cheap flights but long ground transportation to downtown Paris. Private transfers are expensive.
- Public transportation to Paris-Charles de Gaulle or Paris-Orly airport requires a standard Paris Region <> Airports Ticket, which covers any metro, transilien, and RER train in the larger Paris region, including all the way to Versailles.
- Guide to Paris Public Transportation Tickets and Metro Prices — a new simplified system was introduced in 2025. Longer journeys are often cheaper than before.
- Which Paris Airport is the Best to Fly Into? CDG or Orly? It doesn’t really matter much.
- Luxury buses of Le Bus Direct (previously Les Cars Air France) no longer operate. There is no similar limousine bus service from Parisian airports to downtown.
→ Always check Paris public transportation journeys before traveling at RATP or IDF Mobilités.
