How to Get from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to City Centre

RER B — best value option

• Duration: 35 minutes to Gare du Nord. 40 minutes to Châtelet-Les Halles. 50 minutes to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame.
• Frequency: every 10-20 minutes.
• Hours: 4:50am-12:25am daily.
• Price: €11.45 single (raised from €10.30 in 2024).
• Children: €5.75 (under 10).
• Where to board: Aéroport CDG Terminal 2 + Aéroport CDG Terminal 1 stations underground. Free shuttle bus between terminals.
• Stops in Paris: Gare du Nord (north Paris), Châtelet-Les Halles (centre, change for Métro 1/4/7/11/14, RER A/D), Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame (Latin Quarter), Luxembourg, Port-Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, Cité Universitaire.
• Tickets: machines at CDG (English), or Île-de-France Mobilités app. Beware: standard Métro tickets DO NOT work for RER B to/from CDG.
• NaviGo Pass: weekly/monthly card valid for RER B to CDG (zone 1-5).
• Pickpocket warning: RER B notorious. Keep valuables zipped + close.

Roissybus — direct to Opéra

• Duration: 60-90 minutes (traffic-dependent).
• Destination: Opéra (Place de l’Opéra, 9th arrondissement).
• Frequency: every 15-30 minutes.
• Hours: 5am-12:30am.
• Price: €16.20 single.
• Where to board: bus station at each terminal.
• Tickets: machines + onboard cash/card.
• Pros: direct to central Paris. No transfers. Better for elderly + heavy luggage.
• Cons: traffic-dependent. Slow at rush hour.
• Best for: hotels near Opéra, Galeries Lafayette, Avenue de l’Opéra.

Taxi — fixed-rate (since 2016)

• Duration: 30-60 minutes (traffic-dependent).
• FIXED RATE: €56 to right bank Paris (Rive Droite). €65 to left bank (Rive Gauche).
• Surcharges: +€2 reservation. +€1.10 each piece luggage over 2.
• Where to board: OFFICIAL Paris taxi rank outside Arrivals (Sortie). Avoid unmarked taxis inside terminal.
• Receipt: always ask for “reçu” — required for fixed-rate dispute.
• Late-night/holiday surcharge: +15% at 7pm-7am, Sunday + holidays.
• Common scams: claiming meter broken, claiming fixed rate doesn’t apply (it ALWAYS applies for centrale Paris).
• Pre-booked taxi: Taxi G7 +€7 reservation. CallTaxi €5+.
• Family of 4: taxi €56 cheaper than 4× RER B (€45.80).

Uber + ride-share

• Uber: available. UberX + Comfort + Black + XL.
• Uber price: €45-75. UberX €45-55, Comfort €55-70, Black €70-100.
• Bolt: available. €40-65. Often cheapest.
• Heetch: French app. €40-60.
• Pickup zone: specific Uber/Bolt zone — follow app exactly.
• Family of 4: UberXL €70-95 cheaper than 4× RER B (€45.80) but more expensive than fixed taxi €56.
• Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups, Suntransfers): €40-60.
• Late night/early morning: Uber/Bolt 24/7 unlike RER B.

CDGVal + RER + Métro layout

• CDGVal: automated airport shuttle connecting Terminals 1, 2, 3. Free + every 4 minutes.
• Terminal 1: oldest. Star Alliance + most international.
• Terminal 2: 7 sub-terminals (2A-2G). Air France + SkyTeam.
• Terminal 3: low-cost. Free shuttle from Terminal 1 + 2.
• RER B station Terminal 2: central + connects all terminals via CDGVal.
• RER B station Terminal 1: walk via shuttle (5-min).
• Roissybus station: Terminal 1 + Terminal 2 + Terminal 3.
• Walking distance: RER B 5-15 min walk depending on terminal. Plan ahead.

Cheaper options + Bus 350/351

• Bus 350: CDG → Gare de l’Est. 60-80 minutes. €1.85 (regular Métro ticket).
• Bus 351: CDG → Nation. 80-90 minutes. €1.85.
• Cheapest option (€1.85): but slowest + traffic-dependent.
• Where to board: bus station each terminal.
• Best for: ultra-budget travelers, off-peak hours when traffic light.
• Pre-paid Métro tickets: €1.85 each. Buy at airport machines.
• Avoid rush hour: 7-9am + 5-7pm slow.
• Note: Bus 350/351 don’t work with NaviGo Mobile pass — must have specific ticket.

From Paris centre back to CDG

• Allow extra time: 2 hours minimum airport before EU departure. 3 hours non-EU.
• RER B from Châtelet/Gare du Nord: 35-40 min, €11.45.
• Roissybus from Opéra: 60-90 min, €16.20.
• Taxi from centre: €56-65 fixed-rate.
• Uber pre-book: save €5-10 vs day-of.
• Strike days: RATP/SNCF strikes regular. Check sncf-connect.com.
• Train arrival times: RER B last train ~1am. Plan around if late flight.

Pitfalls + tips

• Wrong ticket for RER B: regular Métro ticket DOES NOT WORK. Need RER B specific ticket €11.45.
• Pickpockets on RER B: notorious. Keep valuables zipped + close. Watch for “distraction” tactics.
• Fake taxi inside terminal: illegal + overcharge. Use OFFICIAL Paris taxi rank.
• Strike days: RATP/SNCF strikes affect RER B. Roissybus or taxi as backup.
• Late-night gaps: RER B closes ~1am, Roissybus ~12:30am. Only taxi/Uber after.
• Currency: all options accept Euro cash + cards. ATMs at airport.
• Apps: Île-de-France Mobilités for tickets + journey planner. Citymapper for routing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cheapest CDG to Paris centre?

Bus 350 or 351 — €1.85 (regular Métro ticket). 60-90 minutes. Slowest but cheapest. RER B €11.45 35 minutes is best balance. Roissybus €16.20 60-90 min direct to Opéra.

How long CDG to Paris?

RER B 35 minutes to Gare du Nord (fastest). Roissybus 60-90 min to Opéra. Taxi 30-60 min (traffic). Uber 30-60 min. Bus 350/351 60-90 min.

CDG taxi fixed rate?

€56 to right bank Paris. €65 to left bank. Fixed rates since 2016. +€2 reservation, +€1.10 per luggage over 2. Use OFFICIAL Paris taxi rank only — never unmarked taxis inside terminal.

RER B vs Roissybus?

RER B faster (35 min vs 60-90 min) + cheaper (€11.45 vs €16.20). Pickpocket risk RER B. Roissybus direct to Opéra (no transfers). For luggage-heavy travelers Roissybus easier.

Uber CDG to Paris?

Yes — Uber + Bolt + Heetch available. €45-75. Specific pickup zone — follow app instructions exactly. Cheaper than Black taxi for solo. Pre-booked transfer (Welcome Pickups) €40-60 with driver waiting.

CDG late-night arrivals?

RER B closes ~1am, restarts 4:50am. Roissybus closes 12:30am. Bus 350/351 24/7 (limited frequency 1-5am). Taxi €56-65 fixed. Uber/Bolt €45-75. Plan accordingly.

See also

• Paris on foot