Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is Paris’s main international airport and one of Europe’s busiest hubs. Also known as Roissy Airport, it connects travelers to more than 100 destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. I’ve flown through this Paris airport dozens of times, and I’m here with tips to make your journey smoother.
How to get to and from CDG and Paris
Getting between CDG and central Paris is straightforward. You’ve got four main options: rail, bus, taxi or rideshare. If you’re heading beyond Paris, the TGV high-speed train station beneath Terminal 2 connects directly to cities throughout France.
I almost always use the RER B commuter rail line to reach central Paris when I arrive at CDG. It stops at Gare du Nord Railway Station and connects directly to popular spots like Luxembourg and Chatelet-Les Halles.
Much of Paris is just one stop away, since many Metro lines connect to RER B stations.
Sometimes, though, the RER isn’t the best bet. It can get crowded, and rail worker strikes are more common in France than in the US. When that happens, my backup plan is the Roissybus. It runs frequently and drops you right at the Opéra station in the heart of Paris.
If you’re traveling in a group or have a lot of luggage, a taxi or Uber might be worth the splurge. While it’s expensive for individual travelers and couples, it can make more sense the more people you split it between.
For those bypassing Paris altogether, the TGV train station right under Terminal 2 is a game-changer. You can hop on a high-speed train directly to cities like Bordeaux and Rennes. Nice typically requires at least one connection. After a long flight, it’s nice to skip the hassle of navigating Paris if it’s not your final destination.
Navigating security lines at CDG
As is the case throughout the rest of Europe, security checks at CDG are extremely thorough, in my opinion more so than they are in the US these days. Compounding this is the fact that unless you’re in first or business class or have airline elite status, the main security queues can be very long.
If you’re flying within Europe’s Schengen area, security is the only thing between you and your gate. Some European destinations aren’t in Schengen (including the UK and Russia), so verify this before arriving at the airport.
For flights heading outside the Schengen area, you’ll also need to go through passport control after security. This can add significant time to your wait, with the airport targeting 30 minutes for EU nationals and 45 minutes for non-EU nationals, though most passengers wait under 10 minutes. During busy periods, waits can stretch longer. The automated PARAFE gates are a nice shortcut, and they’re now available to many nationalities including US, UK, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, South Korean, and Singapore citizens with biometric passports, not just European passport holders.
Because these lines can be unpredictable, I always listen to my airline’s advice on arrival times. I’ve had a few close calls almost missing flights from CDG by cutting it too close, so trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Airline lounges and alternatives at CDG
CDG has several airline lounges, with most belonging to home carrier Air France. To access lounges here, you’ll need airline elite status or a first or business class ticket. Priority Pass has very limited use at this airport, with only the YOTELAir Lounge in Terminal 2E available.
Air France operates lounges spread across Terminal 2E (Halls K, L, M), 2F and 2G. The crown jewel is the opulent La Première lounge, primarily for La Première first class passengers, though eligible long-haul Business Class passengers can purchase access for a fee, subject to availability.
Featuring chic French design, fine multi-course dining and private suites, aviation enthusiasts consider it one of the best airline lounges anywhere. Once you finish, a Porsche Cayenne Hybrid takes you directly to your aircraft.
If you’re not in first class, there are five business class lounges to choose from. They all offer a similar vibe with a full bar, rotating food buffets, and quiet work areas. I usually just pick the one closest to my gate.
These lounges are also open to business class travelers on other SkyTeam airlines like Delta, as well as SkyTeam elites flying in any cabin.
Flying a different airline? You still might have options. In Terminal 1, there’s a Star Alliance Lounge and a Qatar Airways Premium Lounge. The Emirates lounge is in Terminal 2C. Generally, the Star Alliance lounge welcomes its premium and elite flyers, while the Qatar lounge is accessible to oneworld First and Business Class passengers, with oneworld elites only granted access when traveling on Qatar Airways-operated flights.
Air Canada is one of several Star Alliance airlines that use Terminal 2, along with Ethiopian Airlines and Croatia Airlines. Air Canada has its own Maple Leaf Lounge in Terminal 2A, though it’s currently temporarily closed for renovations, with eligible passengers directed to partner facilities.
If you don’t have lounge access, don’t worry. I usually just wander around the airport (the architecture in Terminal 2 is fascinating) or find a good spot at my gate to watch the planes. All terminals have plenty of shops and restaurants, from grab-and-go spots to sit-down French bistros, though I confess I rarely get to the airport early enough to really enjoy them.
Luggage storage at CDG
The airport has one luggage storage facility, located in the TGV station under Terminal 2. Bagages du Monde runs the facility and offers storage by the hour or day, with pricing that depends on the size of your bags.
I find this service really helpful when I have a long layover and want to pop into the city for a few hours without dragging my suitcase around. It’s a great alternative to just sitting in a lounge or waiting at the gate.
Transfers at CDG
CDG is a major connection hub, and your transfer process depends on your destination and airline. If you’re connecting from a non-Schengen country to a destination within Europe’s Schengen area, you’ll need to clear immigration (passport control) at CDG as your first point of entry. Customs for checked baggage usually happens at your final destination, though carry-on items may be subject to checks. You may also need to change terminals depending on which airlines are on your itinerary.
Most connections at CDG are on Air France, which usually means moving between Terminal 2E and 2F. Luckily, changing terminals is easy. You can hop on the free CDGVal automated metro or take a shuttle bus, both of which run frequently.
For international-to-international connections on Air France, you’ll typically stay within Terminal 2E. Just follow the “International Connections” signs to a security check, and you’ll be on your way to the next gate.
Connecting between other airlines is less common, as no other carrier has a major hub here. If you’ve booked separate tickets, say arriving on Air France and departing on Qatar Airways, an airside transfer between Terminal 2E and Terminal 1 is possible via the free Blue Shuttle when you have a boarding pass for your onward flight and checked baggage through to your final destination. On separate tickets or if you need to re-check baggage, you’ll need to clear immigration and customs.
Connections to Orly, Paris’ other airport
In some rare cases, your itinerary might have you arriving at CDG and departing from Orly (ORY), or the other way around. If this happens, you’ll need to clear immigration and customs at your arrival airport and then travel between the two.
Unfortunately, Air France no longer operates a dedicated shuttle between the airports, so you’ll need to use public transport (like RER B to Antony then Orlyval) or grab an Uber or taxi, which typically takes around 50 minutes but can extend up to about 2 hours depending on traffic.
My rule of thumb is to leave at least three hours for a CDG-ORY transfer, and even more if you’re not flying on a single ticket.
With an all-Air France itinerary, the airline staff can help you out if there are delays, giving you a much-needed safety net.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
