Europe's second-busiest hub, your gateway to the City of Light — even with just a few hours between flights.
Airport Overview
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.
Non-Schengen passengers can remain airside. Schengen travellers can exit without a visa for EU arrivals with valid documents.
Some nationalities need an Airport Transit Visa (ATV) even without leaving the airport. Check before you fly.
Airport-wide free WiFi with no time limit — connect to "ADP Free WiFi" upon arrival in any terminal.
Baggage storage available at Terminals 2C/2E and Hall L. Useful if you clear customs for a Paris day trip.
Terminal Navigation
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.
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.
The smallest terminal. Serves low-cost carriers and charter flights. Basic facilities — plan accordingly.
Lounges
From Air France's legendary La Première to accessible pay-per-entry options, CDG has excellent lounge coverage for long layovers.
Dining & Shopping
Terminal 2E's Hall M is a genuine food destination. Expect proper French brasserie fare alongside international options — this is Paris, after all.
Classic French pastries, sandwiches, and café au lait. Multiple locations across all terminals — the most reliable option.
Terminal 2E Hall M. Proper French brasserie — steak frites, moules marinières, and a solid wine list for a true Paris taste.
Terminal 2E. When you've been eating croissants for days, these reliable international options offer a flavourful change.
Hermès, Guerlain, Cartier, and a spectacular Duty Free cosmetics hall. Terminal 2E Hall M is the best for luxury shopping.
Pick up French and international press, novels, and travel essentials before boarding. Found across all three terminals.
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
The RER B train is the gold standard — direct, affordable, and reliable. But all options depend on your layover length and luggage situation.
⚠️ 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
Paris rewards even the shortest visits. With smart planning, a 4-hour layover can get you to the Eiffel Tower and back comfortably.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Every airport, every stopover. Plan your next layover with confidence.