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Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Paris · France · Updated Apr 20, 2026

Code
CDG
Size
Major Hub
Passengers a year
70.3M / year
Terminals
3
To downtown
23 km
On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Getting to and from the airport
  3. Terminals and airlines
  4. Tips for travellers
  5. Good to know
  6. Climate, customs and advisory

Overview

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary international airport serving Paris, France, located 23 km northeast of the city center in Roissy-en-France. It is Europe's busiest airport within the European Union and a major global hub, handling over 70 million passengers in 2024.

Opened in 1974 and named after former French President Charles de Gaulle, CDG is one of the world's largest airports and the principal hub for Air France. It features three main terminals, with Terminal 2 divided into sub-terminals 2A to 2G, interconnected by walkways and shuttles. The airport handled 70,290,260 passengers and 466,543 aircraft movements in 2024, ranking as the fourteenth busiest globally and third in Europe by passenger numbers. It is served by 105 airlines as of 2025 and is second in Europe for cargo traffic.

Getting to and from the airport

  • RER B Train

    To Paris city center (e.g., Gare du Nord)

    30-40 minutes · €11-12 one-way

  • CDGVAL Shuttle

    Free intra-airport rail between terminals and stations

    5-10 minutes · Free

  • TGV

    High-speed rail from Terminal 2 to French cities and beyond

    Varies · Varies €20+

  • Taxi

    To Paris center

    40-60 minutes · €50-60

  • Bus (RoissyBus)

    Direct to Paris Opéra

    60 minutes · €16-17

RER B is cost-effective but crowded; taxis are readily available but traffic-prone, fixed fare to Paris right bank ~€57. Rent cars at dedicated zones in all terminals, but Paris traffic and ZTL zones complicate city driving. Upcoming CDG Express (2027) will offer fastest city link at 20 minutes.

Security wait: 20-40 minutes average, longer during peaks

Terminals and airlines

  • Terminal 1

    Various international

    Oldest terminal, circular design with satellites, opposite Terminal 3.

  • Terminal 2 (2A-2G)

    Air France and others

    Originally for Air France, sub-terminals 2A-2F interconnected by walkways, 2G by shuttle bus.

  • Terminal 3

    Low-cost and charter

    Situated opposite Terminal 1, used for some domestic and budget flights.

Airlines: Air France, Delta Air Lines, EasyJet

Tips for travellers

  • Allow extra time for the free CDGVAL shuttle between terminals, especially to reach Terminal 2G.
  • Use RER B for connections to Paris city center, but expect crowds as it's shared with commuters; 30% of airport passengers use it.
  • TGV high-speed trains at Terminal 2 station connect to other French cities, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
  • Terminals 2A-2F are walkable via elevated walkways; plan 10-20 minutes for transfers within Terminal 2.
  • Check-in facilities and duty-free shops are abundant in Terminal 2; Terminal 2G has dedicated bag drop and info points.
  • Security has been enhanced post-9/11 with significant resources deployed at Paris airports.

Good to know

  • CDG opened in 1974 and is named after WWII leader Charles de Gaulle, with its IATA code reflecting his initials.
  • Terminal 1 is a unique circular design by architect Paul Andreu with seven satellites for efficient aircraft parking.
  • In 2024, it managed 1,914,681 tonnes of cargo, making it Europe's second busiest for freight after Frankfurt.
  • The airport lacks a direct express rail to central Paris currently, but CDG Express is set to open in March 2027, offering a 20-minute trip to Gare de l'Est.
  • Terminal 2 was originally built exclusively for Air France and has since expanded to accommodate multiple carriers.
  • A tragic roof collapse at Terminal 2E in 2004 killed four people, leading to significant safety improvements.

Amenities: Lounges, WiFi, Duty-free shops, TGV station, CDGVAL shuttle, Hotels nearby, Prayer rooms

Climate, customs and advisory

Paris has a temperate oceanic climate with mild summers (average 20-25°C) and cool winters (2-8°C). Rainfall is consistent year-round, with higher chances in fall and winter. Snow is rare but possible in January-February.

Customs: EU citizens use e-gates for faster immigration; non-EU visitors prepare passport and visa if required, declare goods over €430. Expect queues at Terminal 2 for international arrivals; follow green/red channels accurately.

Sources (10)

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