General
Overview
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is located 25 kilometers northeast of the city and is France’s main international gateway, serving all major airlines. It has three terminal complexes: Terminal 1 (Star Alliance carriers), Terminal 2 (Air France/SkyTeam, with halls 2A–2G), and Terminal 3 (low-cost and charter flights).
Transfer Options
RATP operates the Metro, RER, bus, and tram in Paris. France has frequent planned strike actions that can reduce or suspend services with little warning. Before you travel, check the RATP real-time traffic page for any disruptions. If the Metro or RER is affected, a licensed taxi or Uber/Bolt is your fastest fallback.
Luggage Storage
Operated by Bagages du Monde. Located in Terminal 2, Gare TGV-RER (Level 4, opposite the Sheraton Hotel).
The RER B puts central Paris 35-50 min away (€14 each way). Budget ~80-100 min for the round trip alone.
- Under 5h — stay airside. Timing is too tight.
- 6-8h — RER B to Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame: walk the Île de la Cité, Luxembourg Gardens, or the Left Bank.
- 9h+ — Add Le Marais (free to wander), or Musée d’Orsay (book online; opens 9:30am, closed Mondays). A t+ ticket (€2.55) covers metro links once you’re in the city.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Paris uses a unified flat-fare ticket system across all zones. Here are the main options for visitors in 2026.
Single Tickets (t+)
A t+ ticket costs €2.55 per journey and is valid on the Metro, RER (within Paris), buses, and trams. Load tickets on a reusable Navigo Easy card (€2.00) or use the Bonjour RATP app.
Paris Visite Pass
The Paris Visite pass covers all Île-de-France zones (1–5) — including CDG, Orly, Versailles, and Disneyland — with unlimited travel for consecutive days. 2026 adult prices:
| Duration | Adult Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | €30.60 |
| 2 days | €45.40 |
| 3 days | €63.80 |
| 5 days | €78.00 |
Children aged 4–9 travel at half price. Validity is calendar-day based (expires at midnight), so start early.
Navigo Découverte (Weekly)
The Navigo Découverte weekly pass costs €32.40 (plus €5 for the card) and covers all zones Monday to Sunday. Requires a small ID photo. Buy at staffed ticket windows at major stations (Gare du Nord, CDG Airport).
Paris transport passes – Île-de-France MobilitésParis Museum Pass
Covers 50+ museums and monuments — including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Palace of Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, and Musée Rodin. Does not include the Eiffel Tower or public transport.
2026 prices (adults): 2 days €90, 4 days €109, 6 days €139. Days are consecutive calendar days — activate in the morning to get full value.
Children under 18 enter all national museums free (no pass needed). EU/EEA residents under 26 also enter French national museums free. Buy online at Paris Museum Pass official site for instant digital delivery, or at Paris tourist offices.
Paris Passlib’
The official Paris Tourist Office pass — pick a bundle of activities (museums, cruises, hop-on-hop-off buses, experiences) rather than unlimited days. Flexible: valid 1 year from first use.
Prices from €45 (3 activities) to €249 (7 activities). Culture bundles cover the Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle and more. City and Explore tiers add the Eiffel Tower and Seine cruises.
Children’s Fares
Children under 4 travel free on all Metro, RER, bus, and tram services — no ticket required. Children aged 4–9 pay a reduced fare (approximately half the adult price) on single tickets and the Paris Visite pass. From age 10, the full adult fare applies. At ticket machines, select “Tarif Réduit” to load reduced-fare tickets onto a Navigo Easy card.
Use Citymapper for step-by-step navigation with best carriage guidance. Use Bonjour RATP to purchase and reload Navigo passes digitally.
Public Transit
Train and Metro
The RER B train reaches Gare du Nord or Châtelet-Les Halles in 35–50 minutes for €14.
The Metro is the fastest way to navigate the city. A single t+ ticket costs €2.55 (flat rate, all zones within Paris).
- Purchase: At any RATP ticket machine — select “Navigo Easy” for a reloadable card.
- Validation: Tap or insert your ticket at the turnstile before boarding.
You must keep your ticket until you have fully exited the station. Inspectors check tickets behind the gates, and fines are €35–€50. At Gare du Nord and Châtelet, transfers involve long walks and stairs. With heavy luggage, a Taxi or G7 is a better choice.
Bus
From CDG: The RoissyBus no longer operates (ended March 2026). Use RER B as the primary public transit option. City buses 350 (Porte de la Chapelle) and 351 (Nation) also run to the airport on a standard t+ ticket.
City Buses
A standard t+ ticket costs €2.55 and is valid on all city buses. Board through the front door and validate immediately. Newer buses have digital next-stop screens; on older routes, use Citymapper or Google Maps.
Give up blue-marked Priority seats for passengers with reduced mobility. On crowded buses, keep bags close and watch your stop — Paris does not always announce them verbally.
Accessibility & Safety
Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly airports provide free PRM assistance throughout all terminals. Book online or call at least 24 hours in advance.
PRM Assistance – Paris AéroportAt all Paris train stations (Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon, Gare de l’Est, Gare Montparnasse, Gare Saint-Lazare), use Assist’enGare for wheelchair assistance. Book online or call 3635 at least 24 hours in advance.
Assist'enGare – SNCFParisian transport hubs are generally safe, but crowds attract pickpockets. Watch out for the “Petition” scam (signing a fake charity form) and the “Helpful Stranger” at ticket machines.
At ticket kiosks, be wary of anyone offering to “help” you buy a ticket. They may buy a child-fare ticket but charge you full price, or swap your cash. Only accept help from uniformed SNCF or RATP staff, or use the official “Vente” desks.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
Report your loss online via the Paris Aéroport portal. The physical Lost & Found office is in Terminal 2. Items are held for 15 days.
CDG Lost & FoundFirst Aid
The Emergency Medical Centre (open 24h) is in Terminal 2F, arrivals level, entrance 17. Tel: +33 1 48 62 28 00.
CDG Health & MedicalPharmacy
Pharmacies are available in Terminals 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F.
CDG PharmaciesArrival
Official Taxi
Price and Appearance
Look for the “Taxis Parisiens” sign on the roof.
CDG: €56 to Right Bank, €65 to Left Bank.
In Arrivals halls and train stations, men may approach you asking “Taxi?”. Ignore them. These are unlicensed drivers. Always follow the blue “Taxi” floor decals to the official outdoor rank where a dispatcher will assist you.
Rideshare
Pickup Points
Follow the 'VTC' signs. Pickup points are located at: T1 (Exit 24), T2A (Exit 5), T2C (Exit 10), T2D (Exit 8), T2E (Gate 11), T2F (Gate 11).
For visitors with limited mobility, the G7 app allows you to book an “Access” vehicle with a lower step-in. You can also book a “Meet & Greet” service where the driver waits at the end of the train platform or arrivals hall with a sign to assist with luggage.
G7 is the most reliable app in Paris, offering professional drivers who can use bus lanes, often shaving 20 minutes off trips during traffic.
Uber and Bolt are available but use standard pricing and cannot use bus lanes.
ATMs and Currency
When a machine asks to charge you in “USD” or your “Home Currency,” choose “Charge in EUR.” This prevents the machine from applying a predatory exchange rate (DCC) that can cost you an extra 5–8%.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Arrive 3 hours before long-haul flights (USA, Asia) and 2 hours before European/Schengen departures. Self-service kiosks (Borne Libre Service) are available from 5 hours before takeoff — tag your bags and then use the drop-off counter.
CDG Terminal 2 is divided into halls 2A–2G. If your boarding pass shows 2G, take the Navette shuttle from 2F, which adds 15 minutes.
Terminal 1 is notorious for long lines at passport control (PAF). Budget an extra 20–30 minutes on peak mornings, especially for North American and Asian departures.
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Standard EU security applies. Liquids must be in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a 1-litre transparent zip-lock bag. Remove laptops and tablets from your bag into a separate tray. Remove coats, jackets, and belts.
No CT scanners are in widespread use at CDG — standard X-ray screening applies at most gates.
Security & Border Controls – Paris AéroportPassport Control
For non-Schengen flights (UK, USA, etc.), passport control is staffed by the PAF (Police aux Frontières) at the boarding gates. Have your passport open to the photo page.
VAT Refunds
France uses the PABLO digital system.
Instructions
Locate the PABLO kiosks near the Customs (Douane) desk before you check your bags. Scan the barcode on your tax-free forms. If the screen turns green, you are validated. If red, you must see a Customs officer.
To claim a VAT refund, the goods must be unused and in their original packaging. Customs officers at CDG and ORY are strict — wearing the purchased item (a new scarf or watch) risks disqualifying the refund entirely. Validate PABLO before checking your bags.