Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is a secondary airport for the Paris, France region, primarily accommodating low-cost carriers.
It is nearly 85 kilometers north of Paris, making it one of the world’s farthest airports from the city it's most associated with.
Because of the array of low-cost airlines that operate at BVA, it is a suitable alternative to Charles De Gaulle (CDG) (Paris’ primary international airport) for budget-conscious travelers seeking affordable flights to various European destinations. Regardless, you may want to factor in the high cost and long travel time to and from Central Paris into your calculations, especially when comparing it to the other low-cost airport in Paris, Orly (ORY).
The airport has a somewhat negative reputation for being disorganized, outdated, and providing really bare-bones facilities. It often gets crowded, and security lines can be long. On the flipside, you can get some good flight deals, so it may be worth it!
Well, at least 6.5 million passengers in 2024 think so. Beauvais is among the 10 busiest airports in France.
Major Airlines - Ryanair, Wizz Air
Beauvais is an important focus city for Europe’s largest low-cost airline, Ryanair. The main company, together with its subsidiaries, Lauda, Buzz, and Malta Air, serve Beauvais Airport, offering direct flights to over 70 destinations in Europe and North Africa. It is by far the largest airline group at the airport, operating every 4 out of 5 flights at BVA.
Another major European low-cost airline that serves Paris-Beauvais is Wizz Air. It flies to several cities in Eastern Europe at very competitive prices.
The Moldovan HiSky, the Romanian Dan Air, and the Spanish Volotea wrap up the airlines at BVA.
In total, you can reach over 80 destinations by non-stop flights from Beauvais.
Terminal Layout and Gates of BVA
The facilities at Beauvais–Tillé Airport have seen a lot of work done on them since 1997, when Ryanair started flying to and from it.
From a simple hangar to a two-terminal airport, it’s one of the biggest transformations in European aviation, although a lot remains to be desired in terms of passenger comfort and efficiency.
Terminal 1 (blue in color) handles the larger portion of the airport's flights, while the newer Terminal 2 (gray) accommodates the remaining flights. Both terminals are used interchangeably for Schengen and non-Schengen flights, and airlines operate from both terminals without a fixed allocation.
The terminals are just 50 meters apart, so you can walk between them in about one minute via the pavement outside.
Connecting Flights and Transit at Beauvais
Currently, all flights at Paris-Beauvais are point-to-point flights operated by low-cost carriers.
This means that if you happen to have a transit at BVA, it would be a self-transit. In other words, you are responsible for making the connection on time and will have to clear Security twice - on the way out and then in again. There are no dedicated facilities for airside transfers or connecting flights.
To connect between flights, you must exit the arrivals area, collect any checked baggage, and proceed through security for your subsequent flight.
With Beauvais known for long queues and slow service, it’s not recommended that you book flights less than 3 hours apart, even if the connecting time can theoretically be as low as 40 minutes.
Keep in mind that the airport closes during the night (between 23:30 and 3:30 AM on most days), so you may not sleep inside the terminal.
Wi-Fi at Beauvais Airport
BVA offers unlimited free WiFi in both terminals.
To connect, select the “Free WiFi Beauvais Airport”.
Dining Options at BVA
As far as restaurants and bars are concerned, BVA airport is lacking. There are only a handful options and most of them are before Security. You may want to prepare a snack before you leave for the airport.
Nevertheless, there are options to choose from, the best being:
Paul: A bakery offering sandwiches and pastries. It’s in the public area of T1 and T2.
Pizzeria Tony: Serving a variety of pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. Also in the public area of T1, near the boarding area.
Café Kiosque: Coffee and light snacks in the only place to sit and have a cup of coffee after Security in T1.
Brasserie Le Faubourg: Offering traditional brasserie fare in a lively Parisian ambiance. It’s in the public area of T2.
Trib’s: The only dining option after Security in T2. It is a modern and cozy space that offers hot meals, sandwiches, and salads at affordable prices.
Transportation options at BVA
Beauvais Airport is about 85 km from Paris, with a travel time by car around 90-120 minutes by car.
Several public transport options exist between the airport and the city.
Four shuttle bus lines currently serve the airport. Tickets can be purchased online or at the airport.
A01: Temporarily transferred, otherwise goes to Paris Porte Maillot.
A02: Runs up to 100 times per day and connects BVA with Saint-Denis University in around 1 h 15 m. One-way adult ticket costs 18 EUR (16.90 EUR online).
A03: Runs up to 20 times per day and must be booked online. Terminates at Paris La Défense about 1 h 30 m later. Single tickets cost 16.90 EUR, 29.90 EUR for a return.
A04: The line that goes to Paris La Villette 15 times per day. Travel time is 90 minutes. Also, much be booked online. Same price as the other lines.
A05: The Disneyland Line. Runs 14 times per week (i.e., twice per day). Travel time is around 2 hours, with single adult tickets costing 20.90 EUR (38.90 EUR return) and children's tickets priced at 14.90 EUR (24.90 EUR return).
Another way to reach central Paris is by catching the SNCF train from Beauvais Station. A regional express train (“TER”) from there goes to Gare du Nord station in Paris.
To reach the Beauvais train station (and by extension all of Beauvais), you can take the Corolis shuttle service or the #6 city bus from the airport.
Last but not least, coach bus line #601 connects the airport with the city of Amiens, about 65 km north, passing through Froissy and Breteuil.
As far as private transport options are concerned, taxis are available outside the terminals, offering rides to nearby towns and Paris. A standard taxi ride to downtown Paris costs around 150 EUR.
Car Rentals and Transfers at Beauvais Airport
Four car rental agencies operate at the airport:
SIXT
HERTZ – THRIFTY
Europcar
Goldcar
While usually renting a car is associated with a higher cost than other forms of transport, the distance from Beauvais airport to places of interest in Paris and Normandy is great, and it might just well be the most budget-friendly option for families, groups of friends and even couples.
It’s a smart idea to pre-book a vehicle at least 24 hours before arrival at the airport and to message the company your flight number if you’re due to arrive late.
An alternative option is to take a private transfer from BVA.
Parking at Beauvais Airport
There are over 4600 parking spaces at the parking garages and lots in Beauvais Airport. They offer both covered and uncovered options and suit different budgets.
The four parking lots are:
P1: Directly opposite Terminal 1. The first 15 minutes cost 5.50 EUR, with each additional 15 minutes charged another 0.90 EUR. The daily cap is 44 EUR with 13 EUR per day thereafter.
P2: Directly opposite Terminal 2. Carries the same charges as Terminal 1.
P3: Located 4 minutes on foot away from Terminal 2. It’s a cheaper alternative to the terminal parking lots. The first 15 minutes cost 3 EUR, with each additional 15 minutes costing another 1 EUR. The daily cap is 27.50 EUR with 13 EUR per day thereafter.
P4: Situated slightly further away, about 10 minutes on foot. Better suited for long stays, although overall the prices are cheaper even for short stays. The first 15 minutes cost 1.80 EUR, with each additional 15 minutes costing another 0.70 EUR. The daily cap is 15 EUR with 10 EUR per day thereafter and 5 EUR per day for stays of more than 8 days.
Drop off is possible at a dedicated parking space just 2 minutes from the terminals. The first 15 minutes inside are free but prices beyond that are quite high.
Parking subscriptions are possible on a quarterly or yearly basis.
Hotels near Paris-Beauvais Airport
To stay as close to the airport as possible, you’d be looking for hotels in the small town of Tillé, minutes away from the airport.
The Ibis Budget Beauvais Aeroport is a budget-friendly option about 450 meters away from Terminal 2. Newly built and with pretty comfortable rooms, this hotel’s all-you-can-eat breakfast is alone reason enough to pick it as an airport hotel.
Another option is The Originals City Hotel, approximately a 15-minute walk away from the terminals. The city shuttle stops there too. It’s close to several restaurants and also serves a hearty buffet breakfast. Parking comes free with every stay!
Many more hotels exist in the nearby city of Beauvais, and an overwhelming array of choices in Paris.
Paris, France
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