Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is France’s largest airport and one of the busiest in the world.
It is located 23 km northeast of Paris, in the commune of Roissy-en-France, which gives it the unofficial name Roissy Airport. CDG is the airport served by the most airlines in the world (over 110) and offers direct flights to most countries. It is one of the few airports that offer non-stop flights to all of the world’s inhabited continents.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is Paris’s primary airport, but not its only one. Orly (ORY), some 13 km south of Paris, is a secondary hub for many airlines and the busiest domestic airport, while Beauvais-Tillé (BVA), located 85 km northwest of the capital, is predominantly served by low-cost airlines.
In 2024, CDG handled over 70 million passengers, ranking as the busiest in the European Union, the third busiest in Europe, and the ninth busiest globally.
Major Airlines - Air France, easyJet
CDG serves as the primary hub for Air France, the French flag carrier, making it a key departure point for international and domestic flights. It is by far the largest airline at the airport and serves over 180 destinations from Terminal 2E.
Air France Hop operates regional flights on behalf of its parent company, Air France, and uses Paris Charles de Gaulle as an operating base.
easyJet also has a base at CDG for its low-cost operations connecting Paris to various destinations in Europe and North Africa.
Additionally, CDG hosts carriers from Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and Oneworld. Some of the bigger airlines with scheduled flights at CDG include Air Canada, American Airlines, Air China, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, Thai Airways International, Vietnam Airlines, and many others.
CDG is the airport served by the most airlines in the world - over 110 in a regular year!
To see a full list of airlines at CDG, click here.
Terminal Layout and Interterminal Transportation
The airport has three main terminals (1, 2, 3), with Terminal 2 subdivided into 2A–2G.
Terminal 1 is a circular building with seven satellites with boarding gates. Various international carriers, including United Airlines, Air China, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Avianca, and Etihad, use Terminal 1.
Terminal 2 is a 2-kilometer-long facility further split into seven subterminals from 2A to 2G. The first six are connected by walkways, whereas subterminal 2G is a satellite building used only by Luxair. Importantly, Air France is based in 2E, whereas easyJet flies from 2B.
Terminal 3 is the low-cost terminal used by airlines such as Vueling, Air Transat, SunExpress, Iberia, Norse, and others. It has no boarding gates, and reaching the aircraft is facilitated by buses.
All terminals are interconnected by the CDGVAL: a free driverless shuttle system. It is by far the fastest way between the terminals and is delightfully efficient and convenient. The CDGVAL runs between 4 AM and 1:00 AM daily, at a frequency of just 4 minutes on average. It also connects the car parks and Roissypôle (for the RER B Aéroport CDG 1 station, the bus terminal, hotels, and other services).
It is complemented by two free shuttle buses: N1 connects 2AC, 2BD, and 2EF with the TGV-RER station in Terminal 2, and N2 connects subterminals 2F and 2G.
The LISA shuttle links halls K, L, and M of Terminal 2E on the airside and can only be used after you pass through the Security checks.
Connecting Flights and Transit at CDG
Your layover experience in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport predominantly depends on the type of connection you have.
Most travelers will have two flights under the same reservation. They could be operated by the same airline (e.g., Air France) or by partnering airlines. The important thing is that your luggage is checked in through to your final destination, and you can directly go to the gate for your next flight. Follow the signs for “Connecting Flights”. In the event of delay or cancellation, the airline will be responsible for getting you on the next flight, and you may be eligible for compensation.
However, if you have two separate flights not booked together, you will be self-transferring, and all responsibility for making your flight and re-checking your luggage falls on you. You also need to fulfill Immigration and Customs requirements.
If unsure whether your luggage will go to your final destination or if you need to re-check it at CDG, check the luggage tag when you check in for your first flight.
The minimum connecting time depends on your flights and terminals and varies between 10 minutes (for Schengen flights at the same terminal) to 75 minutes for international flights from terminals/gates far from each other.
Layovers at CDG are generally pleasant, and there is a lot to do at the airport. Workstations, play zones, and quiet seating areas are available in most departure zones. Restaurants, bars, and fast food outlets can be found in all terminals.
If you have a long layover, you may decide to spend some time in Paris. Check out the best things to do in Paris on a long layover!
Wi-Fi at CDG
Yes, CDG offers free unlimited Wi‑Fi, which is super easy to connect to.
The network’s SSID is “WIFI‑AIRPORT” and it’s available throughout the airport. When you select it, the welcome page will automatically open (you may need to launch your browser on a laptop). There, accept the terms and conditions, and voila, you will be connected.
Paid premium Wi‑Fi tiers also exist, but are generally not necessary for most daily tasks.
Dining Options
Across CDG, you'll find over 70 cafés, bars, and restaurants. These include French staples, international chains, fast food, international cuisine, bistros, and fancier restaurants. As one of the world’s busiest airports, CDG doesn’t fail to deliver on the culinary scene.
In Terminal 1, some of the dining options include the Japanese-Mediterranean fusion cuisine Kirei, the popular French bakery chain Paul, the renowned Bistrot Benoît, and quick solutions like McDonald's and Starbucks.
Across its 7 subterminals, Terminal 2 has dozens of dining options. Some, like 2A, 2C, and 2G only have limited options, like a coffee shop, an international fast food chain, and maybe a shop selling pre-packed sandwiches and salads, while others, 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F, have a deeper selection of places to eat and drink.
Some of the popular places at T2 include:
Gontran Cherrier in 2B, known for its artisanal bread and pastries.
La Table de Michel Roth in 2B, known for its bistronomic concept by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roth.
Bellota-Bellota in 2E, an art de vivre restaurant combining French and Spanish gastronomies.
Ladurée in 2F is a tea room - restaurant that serves all-day breakfast and lunch with seasonal ingredients.
Maison Pradier, a traditional French bakery in 2F.
Terminal 3, owing to its limited facilities due to its designation as a low-cost terminal, has just 3 options to grab a bite: Brioche Dorée for pastries, Paul for a French-style breakfast, and Pret A Manger for sandwiches, wraps, salads, and other prepackaged food.
Entertainment at Paris CDG Airport
Having fun during a layover has never been easier at Paris CDG Airport. It boasts several dedicated play areas (and not just for kids!) and entertainment zones. Here’s where you can kill a few hours at CDG:
Arcade gaming areas in each of the terminals (only in 2E and 2G for Terminal 2) allow you to relive the nostalgia of playing Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Arkanoid, Galaga, Donkey Kong (and others) on an arcade machine as in the good old days.
Table football: self-service tables are installed in 2B, 2E, 2D, and Terminal 1.
Chessboards: Located in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2G. You will need to buy pieces to play - Relay stores sell them.
Piano in Terminal 1 as well as 2A, 2D, and 2E.
PS5 consoles with many pre-installed games are free to use in Terminal 1, 2B, 2C 2E, 2F, and Terminal 3.
Lounges at CDG
Charles de Gaulle Airport offers 17 lounges with at least one in each terminal.
As the primary hub of Air France, it’s no surprise that the airline operates six lounges across several subterminals of T2.
The prestigious La Première is the only lounge situated before the Security checks. It is open from 5:30 AM until midnight.
- An Air France Lounge in each:
Terminal 2G at Level 1;
Terminal 2E near Gates M on Level 1;
Terminal 2E near Gates K on Level 2;
Terminal 2E near Gates L on Level 3;
Terminal 2F on Level 2;
The Paris Lounge in Terminal 2C on Level 0.5, near Gate C83.
The other airline-specific lounges in CDG are:
American Airlines Lounge in Embarquement 2A – 2C on Level 2.
Emirates Lounge is also in Embarquement 2A – 2C on Level 2.
Lufthansa Airlines Lounge in Terminal 1 on Level 4.
Qatar Airways Paris Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 on Level 11.
There is also the combined Star Alliance Lounge, which is located in Terminal 1 on Level 7.
If you’re not flying with one of these airlines, you may want to go to one of the publicly available lounges:
Salon Paul Maxence Sports Bar: The only lounge in Terminal 3, located on Level 0.
Prime Class lounge in Embarquement 2A – 2C on Level 2.
Paul Maxence Lounge in Embarquement 2A – 2C on Level 2.
- The two Extime Lounges in:
Terminal 1 on Level 7
Embarquement 2A – 2C on Level 2
Specific amenities depend on the lounge, though you can expect complimentary food and drinks, places to sit, read, and relax, premium Wi-Fi, and reading materials in all lounges listed above.
Transportation options from Paris CDG Airport
There are many modes of public transport in and around Paris, many of which also serve its biggest airport, CDG.
Roissybus: a direct bus service connecting the Opéra - Scribe stop in central Paris and all 3 terminals at Paris-CDG airport. Tickets cost 13 EUR, purchasable from the Navigo Easy pass from the RATP app. This service is operational between 5:15 and 00:30 (from Paris Opéra) and 6:00 to 00:30 (Paris-CDG) at a frequency of 15-20 minutes between buses.
RER B: a regional train with two on-site stations at CDG, linking the airport to central Paris in about 30 minutes. The line continues south towards Robinson and Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse. To get to Paris-Orly from CDG using RER B, change trains at Antony station to the OrlyVal service.
Secondary bus lines 350 and 351: Local bus lines that also serve CDG. Line 350 goes to Porte de la Chapelle, while Line 351 terminates at Nation. Both lines are operational between 5:40 and 22:30.
Mainline trains are a convenient option to reach other cities in France or neighboring countries. The Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station is connected to the French rail network, including Eurostar. From CDG, you can reach:
Bordeaux in 3 hours
Lyon in 2 hours 10 mins
Nantes in 3 hours
Marseille in 3 hours 30 mins
London in 2 hours and 30 mins away
Amsterdam in 3 hours
Brussels in 1 hour and 30 mins.
An alternative is the coaches run by BlaBlaCar Bus and Flixbus, which also serve farther destinations in France and neighboring countries.
If you’re like private transport (smart if you have a lot of luggage, for example), you can easily get a taxi from the taxi ranks outside arrivals at each of the terminals and subterminals. Check for the official light on the roof of the vehicle to make sure it’s a legitimate taxi.
A typical ride from CDG to the center of Paris takes 35-60 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs 56 EUR for Right Bank destinations or 65 EUR for Left Bank destinations. It’s possible to take a taxi to Versailles for 80-95 EUR or to Disneyland Paris for 75-95 EUR.
Rideshare apps like Uber, Bolt, and Heetch operate similarly but have designated pick-up locations instead of ranks, and the rate is based on distance and current demand.
You can also check for private shuttle service from CDG to nearby locations of interest.
Parking at CDG
The various on-site parking options that CDG provides can generally be divided into economy parking lots, terminal car parks, and premium car parks.
T1 and T3 have their dedicated terminal car parks near them. Parking lots PAB, PCD, PEF, and PG are near their respective subterminals of Terminal 2.
Parking at any of these is free for the first 10 minutes. Thereafter, the fee for parking is 3 EUR for 10-15 minutes, 9 EUR per hour, and 40 EUR per day.
There are also economy parking lots with much lower rates. These are located between the terminals but connected to them via the CDGVAL. Parking there is also free for the first 10 minutes, then 3 EUR per 15 minutes, maxing at 30 EUR per day.
Premium parking is available for prebooking with a minimum stay of 24 hours. The rates start at 47 EUR per day. Premium parking lots can be found next to ordinary terminal car parks.
Additionally, several parking options exist off-site, run by independent entities and offering competitive rates compared to the official airport parking.
Hotels near Charles de Gaulle Airport
If you need a short-term stay or a transit rest, the YOTELAIR in Terminal 2E (near Gate L) is the only hotel located after the Security checks (airside). However, it’s very poorly rated for convenience and comfort. Also, its location is, in this case, a drawback, not an advantage, so unless you absolutely need to stay within the secure area of the airport, it’s better to look for an airport hotel location landside.
The Sheraton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel is one such option. It’s located inside Terminal 2, so you won’t even need a shuttle to reach it. It’s renowned for its amenities and customer satisfaction.
Several other hotels are near different areas of the airport and offer regular shuttles to each of the terminals. These include Citizen M, Courtyard, Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, Ibis, Mercure, Moxy, Novotel, among others. The CDGVAL stops near most of these, with its stops at Terminal 3 and Parking PR being the closest.
It’s best to check a full list of hotels near CDG with more details about individual properties to make your decision.
Paris, France
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