EasyLayover
Layover Guide · CDG

Paris Charles de Gaulle

Europe's second-busiest hub, your gateway to the City of Light — even with just a few hours between flights.

3 Terminals
35min To Paris
24/7 Operations
~80M Passengers/yr

Airport Overview

What Makes CDG Unique

Charles de Gaulle is a sprawling, architecturally distinctive airport located 23km northeast of Paris. Its circular Terminal 1 and the efficient Terminal 2 complex house most long-haul operations.

Passport-Free Transit

Non-Schengen passengers can remain airside. Schengen travellers can exit without a visa for EU arrivals with valid documents.

IATA Transit Visa

Some nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) even without leaving the airport. Check before you fly.

Free WiFi

Airport-wide free WiFi with no time limit — connect to "ADP Free WiFi" upon arrival in any terminal.

Luggage Storage

Baggage storage available at Terminals 2C/2E and Hall L. Useful if you clear customs for a Paris day trip.

Terminal Navigation

Getting Around CDG

CDG's three terminal areas are connected by the free CDGVAL automated shuttle. Allow 15–20 minutes for inter-terminal transfers.

The iconic circular terminal from 1974. Home to many oneworld and Star Alliance international carriers including Singapore Airlines, United, and ANA.

AirlinesSingapore, United, ANA, TAM, Air Canada
AlliancesStar Alliance, oneworld
LevelArrivals on lower, departures upper
LoungeStar Alliance Lounge — Level 6

The main terminal complex split into sub-terminals 2A–2G. Terminal 2E (Hall K/L/M) is Air France's flagship hub and the largest.

AirlinesAir France, KLM, Delta, Lufthansa, British Airways
AlliancesSkyTeam, Oneworld, Star Alliance
RER StationCDG 2 — direct train to Paris
LoungesAir France Salon CDG, La Première

The smallest terminal. Serves low-cost carriers and charter flights. Basic facilities — plan accordingly.

AirlineseasyJet, Vueling, low-cost charters
FacilitiesLimited dining; no business lounges
TransferCDGVAL shuttle to T1/T2
NoteAllow extra time — longer queues

Lounges

Best Airport Lounges at CDG

From Air France's legendary La Première to accessible pay-per-entry options, CDG has excellent lounge coverage for long layovers.

Air France La Première Lounge
Terminal 2E, Hall K · The most exclusive lounge in France — private suites, à la carte dining, spa treatments, and a dedicated chauffeur service.
La Première Ticket
Air France Salon Business
Terminals 2C, 2E, 2F · Sophisticated design with hot meals, champagne bar, showers, and fast WiFi. Multiple locations across Terminal 2.
Business / Status
Star Alliance Lounge
Terminal 1, Departure Level · Spacious shared lounge for Star Alliance Gold members and business class passengers. Great views of the apron.
Alliance Status
No1 Lounge (Clubhouse)
Terminal 2E · Open to all travellers via Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day pass purchase. Hot buffet, cocktail bar, quiet zones.
Priority Pass / Pay

Dining & Shopping

Eat, Drink & Browse at CDG

Terminal 2E's Hall M is a genuine food destination. Expect proper French brasserie fare alongside international options — this is Paris, after all.

🥐

Paul Boulangerie

Classic French pastries, sandwiches, and café au lait. Multiple locations across all terminals — the most reliable option.

🍷

Brasserie Flo

Terminal 2E Hall M. Proper French brasserie — steak frites, moules marinières, and a solid wine list for a true Paris taste.

🍜

Yo! Sushi & Wagamama

Terminal 2E. When you've been eating croissants for days, these reliable international options offer a flavourful change.

🛍️

Duty Free & Luxury

Hermès, Guerlain, Cartier, and a spectacular Duty Free cosmetics hall. Terminal 2E Hall M is the best for luxury shopping.

📚

Relay & WH Smith

Pick up French and international press, novels, and travel essentials before boarding. Found across all three terminals.

☕

Columbus Café & Starbucks

Reliable coffee and a quiet seat when you need it. Look for Columbus near gates in Terminal 2 for better coffee quality.

Getting Into Paris

From CDG to the City

The RER B train is the gold standard — direct, affordable, and reliable. But all options depend on your layover length and luggage situation.

🚆

RER B Train — Recommended

Runs every 10–15 min. Direct to Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Luxembourg. ~€11.80 one-way.

35 min
🚌

Le Bus Direct (Coaches)

4 routes to Porte Maillot, Trocadéro, Gare de Lyon, Gare Montparnasse. ~€17. More comfortable with luggage.

45–75 min
🚕

Taxi / G7 / Uber

Fixed fare from CDG: ~€55 to Right Bank, ~€60 to Left Bank. Book at official taxi ranks — avoid unlicensed drivers.

45–70 min
🚗

Shuttle van (shared)

Pre-book a shared minivan for door-to-door service. Slower but great value for groups of 3+.

60–90 min

⚠️ Traffic on the A1/A3 motorway can be severe during rush hours (7–10am, 5–8pm). Factor this into your minimum connection time.

Layover Tips

Make the Most of Your Stopover

Paris rewards even the shortest visits. With smart planning, a 4-hour layover can get you to the Eiffel Tower and back comfortably.

01

Minimum layover for Paris

Allow at least 4 hours total for a quick city visit (1h transit each way + 1h in Paris + 1h airport buffer). 6+ hours is comfortable. With a CDG layover, under 4h, stay airside.

02

Buy your RER ticket in advance

Queues at the RER ticket machines can be long, especially mornings. Use the SNCF app or buy at the Navigo kiosk. Validate before boarding — inspectors are strict.

03

Schengen vs. non-Schengen

If you're transferring between Schengen countries, you won't go through passport control. Non-Schengen arrivals require a full passport check — add 30–45 min to your timeline.

04

Store luggage, travel light

Use Consigne baggage storage in Terminal 2 (from €8/bag/day) so you can explore Paris hands-free. Book online to skip the queue on arrival.

05

Best Paris spots near the RER

Marais district (Saint-Michel stop), Jardin du Luxembourg, Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame, and the Latin Quarter are all walking distance from RER B stations.

06

Currency & Connectivity

Withdraw euros at CDG ATMs (better rates than exchange desks). Free airport WiFi is reliable. A French eSIM is cheap if you're staying longer.

Comparing airports? Check our guides for Zurich (ZRH), Munich (MUC), and Istanbul (IST) — all excellent for European layovers.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from CDG airport to central Paris?
The RER B train is the recommended option, taking approximately 35 minutes to central Paris stations such as Châtelet-Les Halles and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, with trains running every 10–15 minutes at a cost of around €11.80 one-way. Taxis and Uber have a fixed fare of roughly €55–€60 but can take 45–70 minutes depending on traffic.
How much layover time do I need to visit Paris from CDG?
Allow at least 4 hours total for a quick city visit — approximately 1 hour each way on transit, 1 hour in Paris, and a 1-hour airport buffer. A layover of 6 or more hours is considered comfortable. For layovers under 4 hours, the guide recommends staying airside at the airport.
Do I need a visa to transit through CDG without leaving the airport?
Some nationalities require an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) even when remaining airside and not entering France. Non-Schengen passengers can generally stay airside without a visa, while Schengen travellers with valid documents can exit the airport. Travellers are strongly advised to check their specific requirements before flying.
How do I get between terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport?
CDG's three terminal areas are connected by the CDGVAL, a free automated shuttle service. Passengers should allow 15–20 minutes for inter-terminal transfers. Terminal 3, which serves low-cost and charter carriers, also connects to Terminals 1 and 2 via the CDGVAL, though longer queues mean extra time is recommended there.
Is there luggage storage at CDG, and how much does it cost?
Baggage storage, called Consigne, is available at Terminals 2C, 2E, and Hall L. The service costs from €8 per bag per day. The guide recommends booking online in advance to avoid queues on arrival, making it a practical option for travellers who want to explore Paris hands-free during a longer layover.
What lounge options are available at CDG for travellers without business class tickets?
The No1 Lounge (Clubhouse) in Terminal 2E is open to all travellers via Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or a day pass purchase, regardless of ticket class. It offers a hot buffet, cocktail bar, and quiet zones. The Star Alliance Lounge in Terminal 1 is available to Star Alliance Gold members and business class passengers.