Charles de Gaulle to Paris: My Top Tips for Stress-Free Travel in 2025
Effective January 1, 2025, the pricing system is changing for all transportation in Paris and the outer regions and this includes travel between Paris and the airports (Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly). In some instances it is cheaper, but before you just randomly choose a method of travel, here are some things you should keep in mind. Not all modes of transportation from the airport and Paris city centre are created equal.
In a nutshell here are your options (with more details below including why I do not recommend taking the RER and Metro):
- Take a taxi
- Take the Metro, train and RER
- Take the RER and taxi
- Take Roissybus or Orlybus
- Take a pre-booked shuttle
1. Charles de Gaulle Airport To Paris
The main airport in Paris is considered to be Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG—also known as Roissy airport). It is located just northeast of Paris and it handles international and national flights. Orly airport is smaller and is considered the secondary airport for Paris. It is located south of Paris and typically handles more domestic flights.
Here is an overview of your options and costs (which can be found in more detail at the Bonjour RATP website: https://www.bonjour-ratp.fr/en/actualites/articles/reforme-tarifaire-titres/
2. Taxi from CDG to Paris
Taking a taxi to/from Charles de Gaulle Airport To Paris city centre can be expensive and you might hit a lot of traffic coming into the city. Lord help you if you’re on the Champs Elysée.
Update: There is now a cap on the taxi fare to/from Charles de Gaulle airport: 56 € for the Right Bank and €65 for the Left Bank. It’s a flat fee. (prices as of December, 2024). It’s the most expensive option; however, it is also the most direct because you’re basically going “door to door”.
3. Take The Metro, Train, And RER-The Price Is The Same
In 2025, travelling between Paris and either airport will have a flat fee of 13 Euros, no matter if you take the Metro, train, or RER. So which one would I recommend?
(a) Take The RER And Metro: My Past Experiences
RER To Gare du Nord
When I was younger travelling to France, I felt I could handle anything. I would arrive at Charles de Gaulle airport and hop on the RER train (located at CDG Terminal 2). There were escalators to take me to train platform so, it was pretty seamless.
Gare du Nord To St. Michel
I would then arrive at Gare du Nord, go through the gates and transfer to a line on the Paris Metro. This required going up and down flights of stairs. Elevators? Not always! And if there were, good luck in finding them. It is not a pleasant experience navigating your luggage on the Paris Metro. There’s not a lot of room, particularly at rush hour.
Arriving at St. Michel Metro station, I would have to climb more stairs (many flights of stairs) to transfer to the next metro station. So as you can see, there were many stairs, many connections, and if it were not for the 23 kilogram suitcase it would have been a breeze!
By the time I arrived at my apartment or hotel, I was drenched in sweat and exhausted, but being young, It wasn’t a chore. I managed. And in my mind, it was the least expensive way to get into the city at the time.
This method of getting into Paris is fine if:
- you’re young and don’t had a lot of luggage to carry up and down stairs
- your hotel or accommodation is near Gare du Nord or you don’t have to transfer stations to get to your destination.
If the price is the same as other options, are there better ways to travel? Yes.
(b) RER B + Taxi
Another option is to just take the RER B (Blue line) from CDG to Gare du Nord and then take a taxi or Uber. Sure, it’s a few Euros more, but a much more pleasant experiences.
4. Roissybus Or Orlybus
(a) From the CDG airport terminal:
- you will be dropped off at the Opera Garnier (corner of rue Scribe and rue Auber).
- Website showing the route: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/busratp/roissyb
(b) From the Orly airport terminal:
- you will be dropped off at the Denfert-Rochereau Metro station.
- Website showing the route: https://www.ratp.fr/en/plans-lignes/busratp/orlybus
- Effective March 3, 2025, Orlybus will no longer be in service and your option will be the Metro Line 14 at Orly Airport, which is faster, but at an added cost and special ticket, unless you have the Navigo pass. Ridership on the Orlybus was too low to make it worth keeping.
(c) There are two ways to access Roissybus or Orlybus.
- Paris Visite 1, 2, 3, or 5-day pass
- This pass which gives you unlimited travel throughout Île-de-France, including trips to/from the airport. Keep in mind that the Paris Visite pass is not cheap. The price ranges from €29.9 for 1 day to €76.25 for 5 days.
- Purchase a single ticket and add it to your Navigo Easy
- Use the Bonjour RATP and load your ticket onto a Navigo Easy card or onto your mobile app or smartwatch. The good news is that the price has gone down to €13 (from €16.6 in 2024)
5. Shuttle from CDG to Paris
You could arrange for a shuttle or ride-sharing service to take you from the airport to your hotel. For shuttles, it might be necessary to arrange this in advance. Shuttle prices start at about 18 Euros per person but keep in mind that this is a shared ride.
When I took a shuttle there were 5 passengers and the driver dropped all of us off at Terminal 2A. The disadvantage was that some passengers’ flights were at Terminal 2E and 2F so they had a bit of a walk to their terminal.
I personally will NEVER take Uber to/from Paris and the airport. Due to dynamic pricing the cost for your ride can skyrocket. Mine did and I had no way to cancel without incurring the charge. I tried to fight it but lost. If you want to call a taxi, use G7. They have set rates as mentioned above in section 2.
6. Biggest Reason To Avoid The Metro
I would say the biggest reason to avoid taking the Metro from CDG is the chance that there is a strike by the Paris Metro. Sadly this has happened to me a few times. Strikes are common in France so there is a good chance you may encounter one during your stay. Taking a taxi, Roissybus, or Orlybus eliminates any worry about getting to the airport during a strike.
My final piece of advice: get to your hotel in Paris with the fewest connections and stairs within your budget. Your body will thank you.
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Another option is Le Cab, which is kind of like a private car service. The cost is at the higher end but still less than a taxi–48 euro. It’s also good within Paris and you use an app to make reservations, etc.
Thanks for sharing this.
I can’t agree more with your statement that the cheapest way is not always the best way. I find, as we get older that avoiding frustration and wasted time is a major goal of ours when traveling. Thanks for the helpful tips Jan – I’ve Pinterested them so they’ll be handy when we visit!
You’re welcome! I’m always looking for ways to make my travelling easier (and less demanding) as I get older!
There is now a cap on the taxi charge into Paris. €50 for the right bank and €55 for the left Bank. No more worries at being stuck in traffic and having the metre keep running.
Thank you for mentioning that. I’ll update my post with the information.
It was nice reading this blog. I’ve traveled to Paris 5 times and have done most of those transfers to the city. I may never visit there again. But it was enjoyable the visits I did have.
Bet you will go back!
Good info Jan. I’ll read the rest of your posts. My husband and I will be going to Paris for the first time in June. Would you say that your post also applies to going to CDG from Paris? Have you personally taken all the options to CDG? I will need to be at CDG at 8:30 am on a Wednesday which is during rush hour. Would Le Bus Direct be just as reliable as taking RER B to get to CDG on time during the rush hour? I’m curious because I read reviews of Le Bus Direct arriving up to 45 minutes late and getting stick in traffic.
Hi Tanya
Thank you for your comment. I am currently in Portugal and then heading to Paris and wanted to reply to you now. I’ll post the reply in my website when I get home. I may also email you again if I gain any other ideas.
In answer to your questions, I have used all of the options listed. I have never been delayed when I’ve taken the LeBusDirect, however I haven’t taken it for a couple of years. If you are staying near Gare de Nord then I would say definitely take the RER; however if you aren’t you need to be aware that unless you take a taxi there you’ll be taking the Metro which has lots of stairs. Not fun with luggage. There aren’t always escalators. I’ve attached another post I recently did re: getting to CDG. In the past few years, to avoid the panic of not getting to the airport on time I stay at a hotel near the airport the night before —one bonus: it’s always been cheaper.
If I needed to be at the airport for 8:30 I’d stay at the airport the night before. If this is not an option take a taxi to Gare de Nord then take the RER. Just be sure there aren’t any strikes!
Hope this helps.