In the greater area of Paris, there are three main airports. These allow you to access Paris with ease, whether you are traveling from near or far. This article will tell you all you need to know about the airports and the ease of access to Paris whilst using them.
CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT
The Charles de Gaulle airport serves as the largest international airport found in the whole of France. Annually seeing more than 65 million passengers a year! Thus being ranked as the 7th busiest airport in the world. The airport is also commonly known as the ‘Roissy Airport' making reference to the area it resides in, which lies only 25 kilometers north-east of Paris. Charles de Gaulle airport was named after Charles de Gaulle who was not only the president from 1959 to 1969 but also served as the leader at the forefront of the Free French Forces or Forces Français Libres during World War Two. He also served as the founder of the current governmental constitution of France, the French Fifth Republic.
How to get from CDG to central Paris
Railway
With frequent transfers from the airport to central Paris every day of the week from 04:45 am until 23:55 pm, the RER B line is definitely a choice of many. Not only is it cheap but it is also easy to navigate and does not cost a lot. The RER B line stops at two of the three terminals at Charles de Gaulle. Terminals 2 and 3. However, there is a free shuttle you can take from Terminal 1 to terminal 3. This is the best terminal to take the train from. Train tickets are available from the blue ticket machines that are situated around the airport's terminals. A one-way ticket costs around 9,35 Euros, and the trip only takes around 50 minutes to get into the center of Paris.
The Bus
Another great travel option from the airport to the capital's center are the bus lines.
There is the Roissy Bus that is the most popular one out of them all. A ticket only costs 9,25 Euros (just like the railway line) and can be bought whilst on the bus! A bus can be caught from all three terminals of CDG and run from 6 am until 11 pm every day. There is a bus every 15 minutes until 8:45 pm. From then on its every 20 minutes until the stop completely at 11 pm. The trip takes a little longer than the RER, taking around an hour. The bus makes its stop in the Opera area of central Paris.
If you wish to see a bit of suburban Paris before you reach the center and have time to spare, the local buses are a great way to commute! The buses you want to take are numbered 350 and 351. A trip costs as little as 5,70 Euros one way, with a duration of around two hours. Tickets are available to buy when on the bus.The buses depart from 6 am until 10:30 every day and depart from Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. There is a bus every 20 minutes during the week and every 30 minutes during the week-end. The 350 stops at Gare de l'Est and the 351 stops at a terminus known as the Nation. It is situated between the 11th and 12th arrondissements(neighborhoods).
However, if you arrive in Paris during the evening the night buses are definitely a great option. Known as the N140 and N143 depart from all three terminals, every day. The N140 runs at hourly intervals between 1 am until 3 am, with the N143 taking over from midnight until 4:30 am, at half an hour intervals. A ticket can be bought whilst on the bus for a mere 5,70 euros. Both the N140 and the N143 stop at Gare de l'Est.
By Coach
If you prefer a more comfortable and luxurious travel option you can take the Air France Coach Service. This is a coach service run by the Air France airline that is available to travelers that used any airline. The best way to acquire a ticket for this coach is to purchase online in advance. This could save you the most money. Otherwise, there are ticket machines situated around the terminals for your convenience. Online tickets can cost between 13 to 15 Euros per adult one way. However, the most cost-effective method would be to purchase a return ticket that costs only 26 Euros per adult. There are two lines to choose from when traveling on this coach, Line 2 and Line 4. Line 2 departs every half hour from Terminal 1 and 2. This line runs from 5:45 am until 11 pm. This line stops at the Arc de Triomphe. Line 4 also parts from Terminal 1 and 2 but runs from 6 am until 10 pm. This line stops at Gare de Lyon. So it is advisable to choose the line which will take you to where you want to end up in Paris.
Taxis
Like most airports, at Charles de Gaulle there are taxis waiting outside each terminal. The most trustworthy taxis can be identified by their yellow lights that are situated on the roof of the car. This is definitely the most expensive way to commute into central Paris, with a cost of around 50 Euros, depending on the time of travel. You can expect to pay more for if you travel during peak times or during the evening between 5 pm and 7 am. A trip in a taxi can take more than an hour, depending on the traffic.
Super shuttle
A super shuttle is a great option if you are wanting to travel privately or in a group. This shuttle will take you where you wish to go in central Paris, with the trip taking up to an hour and a half, depending on where your destination is. The price of the shuttle depends solely on the number of passengers and the destination. Tickets can in booked in advance as well as at the airport.
ORLY AIRPORT
Orly is the second international airport situated just outside of Paris. Orly is smaller than Charles de Gaulle, only seeing around 30 million travelers a year. It is however almost half the distance closer to central Paris.
Railway
As one of the most time-efficient and budget friendly ways of travel from Orly airport to central Paris, the RER is highly recommended to all travelers. The trip only takes 10 minutes and costs as little as 11,30 Euros one way. This ticket includes the transfer line from Orly's terminals called the Orlyval to Antony station where you can catch the RER ( Blue line) into central Paris. The Orlyval runs every day from 6 am until 11 pm, with a few minute intervals.
There is also the RER C line which can be taken into central Paris. It is cheaper than the RER B line and only takes a little bit longer. Every 20 minutes the train can be caught from the Pont de Rungis-Aeroport d'Orly RER station. This line runs between 5 am and 11:30 pm every day with a short travel time of 25 minutes into central Paris. There are shuttles that take you from the airport terminals to the station. A ticket for the RER C line costs only 3,90 Euros one way.
The Bus
One of the most popular options when traveling from Orly to central Paris is the Orlybus. The bus runs from 6 am until 11 pm every day, with a bus available every 10-20 minutes. A ticket costs 7,20 Euros one way and takes only 30 minutes to get to Place Denfert-Rochereau. You can purchase your ticket whilst on the bus.
Air France Coach
The Air France coach service, run by Air France, is available as an option to consider when traveling from Orly into central Paris. There one line from Orly that runs between 6 am until 11:40 pm every day, with a coach departing every 30 minutes or so. The line known as line 1 departs from both of Orly's terminals and ends at the Arc de Triomphe, whilst passing Gare Montparnasse and the Invalides on the way. The trip takes around 45 minutes and can cost anything between 9-18 Euros, depending on whether you are going one way and how many people you are traveling with. The best way to get tickets is to book online in advance otherwise you can book at the airport upon arrival.
Taxi
Outside of both of Orly's terminals, you will be able to find a taxi that will take you into central Paris. It can cost you anything between 40-50 Euros or more depending on your time of travel. You can expect to pay more than that if you travel at peak times or at nighttime(5 pm until 7 am). The trip takes around 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Super shuttle
You also have the opportunity to take a super shuttle. A super shuttle is a great option if you are wanting to travel privately or in a group. This shuttle will take you where you wish to go in central Paris, with the trip taking up to an hour and a half, depending on where your destination is. The price of the shuttle depends solely on the number of passengers and the destination. Tickets can in booked in advance as well as at the airport.
BEAUVAIS-TILLE AIRPORT
Beauvais-Tillé Airport is a much smaller international airport, found a total of 80 kilometers outside of central Paris. This airport accommodates lower budget airlines thus it only sees around 3,6 million a year.
Railway
The most popular method of travel from BVA airport to central Paris is the TER. In order to take the TER, you would first take a shuttle from the airport to the Beauvais train station. From there you can catch a TER into central Paris. The whole route from the airport costs around 18 Euros and takes less than an hour and a half. Tickets are available for purchase from the blue machines at the airport, as well as from the SNCF website.
Aérobus
The fastest option to choose when traveling to central Paris from BVA would be the Aérobus. These buses take you from the airport to Porte Maillot. The buses depart from the airport around 20-25 minutes after your plane lands. Of course, in order to acquire your ticket, you can book it online, or just buy it from the machines that are found in the terminals.
Taxi
Traveling by taxi from BVA is an option but is extremely expensive. It costs on average between 140-180 Euros, depending on your time of travel. The trip takes around an hour to an hour and a half.
Super shuttle
You also have the opportunity to take a super shuttle. A super shuttle is a great option if you are wanting to travel privately or in a group. This shuttle will take you where you wish to go in central Paris, with the trip taking up to an hour and a half, depending on where your destination is. The price of the shuttle depends solely on the number of passengers and the destination. Tickets can in booked in advance as well as at the airport.
