Paris Airport to City Center: How to Get from CDG, Orly & Beauvais
The quick answer: from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) the fastest low-cost route into central Paris is the RER B train (roughly 25–35 minutes); from Orly the new Métro Line 14 or the Orlybus reach the centre in about 25–30 minutes; and Beauvais is a distant budget airport served mainly by a shuttle bus that takes 75 minutes or more. Which option suits you depends on your budget, how much luggage you carry, and what time you land. This guide breaks down every realistic way to get from each Paris airport into the city, with approximate journey times, honest pros and cons, and the mistakes first-time visitors most often make.
Paris has three airports, and they could hardly be more different. Two sit close to the city; the third is in another département entirely. Getting the transfer right saves you an hour of confusion and a good chunk of money on your very first day — the day you are most jet-lagged and least ready to decode an unfamiliar transit map.
How do you get from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to central Paris?
Charles de Gaulle sits about 25 km northeast of Paris. The RER B regional train is the fastest and cheapest way in for most travellers; an official flat-fare taxi is the easiest with heavy luggage; and a pre-booked private transfer is the most relaxed after a long-haul flight. CDG has three terminal areas linked by the free CDGVAL shuttle, so allow a few minutes to reach the right station or bus stop once you land. Here is how each option really works.
RER B train: fastest on a budget
The RER B runs directly from both CDG terminals into the heart of Paris, reaching Gare du Nord in about 25–30 minutes and then Châtelet–Les Halles, where you can change to almost any métro line. Trains leave every 10–20 minutes for most of the day. It is by far the best value, but there are trade-offs: some stations have stairs and are not always step-free, trains can be crowded, and the line is known for pickpockets, so keep your bags zipped and close. Buy your ticket from an official counter or machine in the station, and check the current fare on the day, as prices are reviewed periodically.
Roissybus: one seat to Opéra
The Roissybus links all CDG terminals to Opéra in central Paris in roughly 60–75 minutes, depending on traffic. Its appeal is simplicity: you board once, stow your suitcase, and stay in your seat until the centre, with no stairs and no changes. It is slower than the train but gentler if you are tired or travelling with bulky bags, and it drops you at a hub with easy métro connections.
Taxi with an official flat fare
Paris taxis charge a government-set flat fare between CDG and the city: one price to the Right Bank (Rive Droite) and a slightly different one to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche), with no meter surprises and no haggling. The fare is fixed regardless of traffic or time of day, which makes a taxi predictable and comfortable, especially with luggage or a family. Because these official rates are updated from time to time, verify the current official flat fare before you travel. The ride takes roughly 45–60 minutes, longer in rush hour. Always join the marked official taxi rank outside the terminal.
Private transfer: meet and greet
A pre-booked private transfer gives you a price agreed in advance and a driver waiting with your name at arrivals — the least stressful choice after an overnight flight or when you land with children and a mountain of bags. It costs more than the train or bus, but you skip every queue and go door to door. Book it before you fly, so it is one less thing to sort out while jet-lagged.
How do you get from Orly Airport to Paris?
Orly lies only about 13 km south of Paris, so every option is quicker than from CDG. The game-changer is Métro Line 14, extended to Orly in 2024, which now runs driverless straight into the centre. The Orlybus, the Orlyval-plus-RER combination, Tram T7 and taxis all remain solid alternatives.
Métro Line 14: the new fast link
Since 2024, Line 14 connects Orly directly to central Paris — Châtelet, Gare de Lyon and Saint-Lazare — in about 25–30 minutes, fully automated and running frequently from early morning until past midnight. For most travellers it is now the simplest and most reliable way into town: one train, no changes, plugging straight into the métro network. Buy a ticket at the station and check the current fare.
Orlybus, Orlyval and Tram T7
- Orlybus — a direct bus to Denfert-Rochereau (métro lines 4 and 6, and RER B) on the Left Bank in about 25–30 minutes. Simple and step-free.
- Orlyval + RER B — a driverless shuttle links Orly to Antony station, where you join the RER B towards the centre; count around 35 minutes in total. Handy if your hotel sits on the RER B line.
- Tram T7 — the cheapest option, running to Villejuif–Louis Aragon on métro line 7. It is slow and makes many stops, so it suits light travellers watching every euro rather than anyone in a hurry.
Taxi from Orly
Like CDG, Orly has official flat taxi fares into Paris — one price to the Right Bank, one to the Left Bank — so the cost is fixed before you set off. The trip usually takes 25–40 minutes depending on traffic. As always, verify the current official flat fare and use only the official rank. A taxi is the most comfortable choice late at night or with heavy luggage.
Is Beauvais really a Paris airport?
Not really: Beauvais-Tillé (BVA) sits about 85 km north of Paris, well outside the city, and is used mostly by low-cost airlines. If you booked a cheap flight, check whether it lands here, because the transfer is longer and less convenient than the marketing suggests.
The standard way in is the official shuttle bus to Porte Maillot on the western edge of Paris (near métro line 1 and RER C), which takes about 75–90 minutes and is timed to arriving and departing flights. Buy the shuttle ticket in advance online. A taxi is possible but very expensive over that distance, and there is no direct train. The golden rule for Beauvais is simple: plan extra time at both ends, and never book a tight onward connection in the city assuming a quick hop.
Rule of thumb: if your flight lands at Beauvais, add at least two hours to your plans before you expect to reach your hotel.
Which airport transfer is best for me?
There is no single winner; it comes down to three things: your budget, your luggage, and the time you land.
- Cheapest: the RER B from CDG; Line 14, the Orlybus or Tram T7 from Orly. Trains and buses always beat taxis on price.
- Easiest with heavy luggage or a family: an official flat-fare taxi or a pre-booked private transfer — door to door, no stairs, no changes.
- Fastest: the RER B from CDG (25–35 min) and Line 14 from Orly (25–30 min) are hard to beat, and traffic-proof because they run on rails.
- Late-night or very early arrivals: trains and buses thin out or stop overnight, so a taxi or private transfer is safer and sometimes the only option. Check the last-train time if you land after 11 pm.
What should first-time visitors avoid?
Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a taxi or a ride. These unofficial touts are the single biggest trap at Paris airports: they quote inflated prices, have no meter and no official flat fare, and leave you with no recourse. A genuine Paris taxi never solicits passengers in the arrivals hall.
- Use the official taxi rank only — follow the signs to the marked stand outside; licensed taxis have a lit roof sign.
- Know the flat fare before you ride from CDG or Orly, so no one can improvise a higher price.
- Buy transit tickets from official machines or counters, never from individuals on the concourse.
- Guard your belongings on the RER B and at busy interchanges — pickpockets work crowded trains and platforms.
- Keep a means of payment ready and your hotel address written down; it speeds up every option.
First-timer tips for a smooth arrival
A few small habits make the whole journey painless. Screenshot your route and your hotel address before you land, so you are not hunting for a signal in the terminal. If you are taking the train, travel light or be ready for stairs. Factor in passport control, which can take time if you are arriving from outside the EU. And give yourself a buffer: your first Paris morning is not the moment to sprint for a connection.
One practical note on tickets: you can load single journeys or a travel pass onto a reusable Navigo Easy card, or tap a contactless payment where it is accepted. Either way, keep the ticket until you exit, because you may need it to pass the barriers on the way out. And if you land late, check the last departure of your train or bus before you rely on it; miss it, and an official flat-fare taxi becomes the sensible fallback rather than an expensive surprise.
Once your bags are dropped and the jet lag lifts, the fun begins. Many visitors mark their arrival with a Paris photo tour at the Eiffel Tower — a relaxed way to see the icons and come home with proper photos instead of phone snaps. When you are ready to plan the rest of your trip, browse the full catalogue of Paris experiences and photoshoots and book online in minutes.
Get the transfer right and Paris starts the moment you land: calm, on budget, and pointed straight at the Eiffel Tower.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way from CDG to central Paris?＋
The RER B train is the cheapest direct route from Charles de Gaulle into the centre, reaching Gare du Nord in about 25–30 minutes. Trains run every 10–20 minutes for most of the day. Buy your ticket from an official machine or counter and check the current fare, since prices are reviewed periodically. Keep your bags zipped and close, as the line is known for pickpockets.
How long does a taxi take from CDG to Paris?＋
Expect roughly 45–60 minutes from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris, and longer in morning and evening rush hours. Paris taxis charge a fixed, government-set flat fare — one price to the Right Bank and one to the Left Bank — so the cost does not climb in traffic. Verify the current official flat fare before you travel, and always use the marked official taxi rank outside the terminal.
Is Métro Line 14 the best way from Orly to Paris?＋
For most travellers, yes. Since 2024, Line 14 runs driverless straight from Orly into central Paris — Châtelet, Gare de Lyon and Saint-Lazare — in about 25–30 minutes, frequently and late into the night. It is simple, fast and traffic-proof, with no changes needed. Alternatives like the Orlybus or an official flat-fare taxi remain good choices, especially with heavy luggage or a family.
How do I get from Beauvais airport to Paris?＋
Beauvais-Tillé sits about 85 km north of the city, so plan extra time. The usual route is the official shuttle bus to Porte Maillot on the western edge of Paris, taking around 75–90 minutes and timed to flights; buy the ticket in advance. A taxi is possible but very costly over that distance, and there is no direct train. Never assume it is a quick hop.
How can I avoid taxi scams at Paris airports?＋
Ignore anyone who approaches you inside the terminal offering a ride — licensed Paris taxis never solicit passengers in the arrivals hall. Follow the signs to the official taxi rank outside, where cars have a lit roof sign. Know the fixed flat fare from CDG or Orly before you set off, and buy transit tickets only from official machines or counters, never from individuals on the concourse.
Which airport transfer is best with lots of luggage?＋
With heavy bags or young children, an official flat-fare taxi or a pre-booked private transfer is easiest — door to door, with no stairs and no crowded platforms. Trains like the RER B are cheaper and often faster, but they involve steps and tight spaces. If you land late at night, a taxi or private transfer may also be the only reliable option, since trains and buses thin out overnight.
