Getting from Paris Airports (CDG & Orly) to City: Complete Transport Guide
You Arrive at CDG or Orly. Now What? (The Real Costs & Times)
You're at the airport. You're tired. A guy in a suit offers you a private car for €60.
Don't do it. You can get to Paris for €12-15 and save €45.
This guide covers every transport option from both Paris airports, real costs, real times, and what's actually worth the money.
The Two Paris Airports
Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - The Big One
Distance from Paris: 25 km northeast Flight volume: 70% of Paris flights land here Terminals: 3 (1, 2, 3) - confusing layout Time to city center: 25-60 minutes depending on option
Orly (ORY) - The Closer One
Distance from Paris: 14 km south Flight volume: 30% of Paris flights Terminals: 2 (South, West) - simpler Time to city center: 15-40 minutes
CDG Airport: Transport Options (From Worst to Best)
Option 1: Private Car/Uber (€50-80)
Cost: €50-80 Time: 30-90 minutes (traffic dependent) Luggage: Unlimited Comfort: High Reality: Expensive, slow in traffic, unnecessary
Skip unless: You're in a group (splits cost) or have tons of luggage
Option 2: Rental Car (€40-80/day)
Cost: €40-80 per day + gas + parking Parking in Paris: €20-50/day (if you find it) Driving in Paris: Terrifying, one-way streets, aggressive drivers
Reality: Don't rent a car in Paris. Ever. You won't use it, and parking is a nightmare.
Option 3: Airport Bus (€18)
Option 3A - Le Bus Direct (Express Bus)
- Cost: €18 one-way, €32 round-trip
- Time: 60 minutes to Arc de Triomphe (€18), 90 min to Montparnasse (€18)
- Luggage: 1-2 bags included
- Stops: Limited (Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse, Eiffel Tower area)
- Pros: Direct, cheap, no transfers
- Cons: Slow, doesn't go everywhere, crowded
Option 3B - RATP Airport Bus
- Cost: €12.50
- Time: 45 minutes to Denfert-Rochereau (not central)
- Luggage: All luggage allowed
- Pros: Cheapest
- Cons: Doesn't go to city center, slow
When to take: Only if your hotel is near the direct bus stops (Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse)
Option 4: Train (RER B) - BEST VALUE (€12)
Cost: €12 (one way) Time: 35 minutes from CDG to city center (Saint-Michel, Châtelet, Gare du Nord) Luggage: Unlimited (but you have to carry it) Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes, 24/7 Stops: Goes through central Paris (ideal locations)
How it works:
- Follow "Train" signs from baggage claim
- Buy ticket from machine (€12) or use contactless card (€12)
- Board RER B train headed toward Robinson or Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse
- Ride 35 minutes
- Exit at your neighborhood stop (Saint-Michel, Châtelet, Gare du Nord)
Luggage hack: Use TikTours luggage lockers or drop bags at hotel first
Reality: This is the Paris-efficient choice. Parisians take this train.
Skip if: You have more than 2 large suitcases (becomes difficult with stairs)
Option 5: SuperShuttle/Shared Van (€25-35)
Cost: €25-35 per person Time: 45-90 minutes (depends on other pickups) Luggage: 1-2 bags Pros: Cheaper than Uber, shared cost Cons: Slow (multiple pickups), not always cheaper than RER
When to take: If traveling with 2+ people
Orly Airport: Transport Options
Best: RER C + Tram (€12.45)
How it works:
- Take Orlyval automated train (€12.45) to Antony station (15 min)
- Connect to RER B toward Robinson (goes to city center)
- Total: 35-40 minutes to central Paris
Alternative: Orly Bus (€8.70, 25 min) to Denfert-Rochereau, then metro
Reality: Slightly cheaper than CDG, less crowded
If You Have Money: Air France Bus (€14)
- Goes to Les Invalides, Montparnasse
- 25-35 minutes
- Better than RER if you hate crowds
The Money-Saving Strategy
CDG (Most People): RER B train (€12) - Best value
Orly: Orlyval to RER (€12.45) - Slightly cheaper
With luggage: Bus if it stops near your hotel (€18)
With 3+ people: Split Uber (works out to €15-20/person)
At night (midnight-5 AM): Uber or Noctilien night bus (€6.50 but slower)
Pro Tips
Get a contactless payment card: Easier than buying individual tickets. Load €30-50.
WiFi at airport: Free but slow. Don't rely on it. Turn off WiFi, use cellular data instead.
SIM card: Buy at airport (Orange, SFR booths) for €25-40. Includes €10-20 credit. Works better than WiFi.
Luggage storage: Need to drop bags? Bounce.com or Stasher (€5-10) allows apartment luggage storage.
Don't accept unsolicited offers: Random people offering rides = usually overpriced or sketchy.
Confirm your hotel address: Know exactly which arrondissement your hotel is. This determines which RER stop to exit.
The Real Timeline
You land: 2:30 PM Baggage claim: 2:45 PM Exit airport: 3:00 PM Buy ticket: 3:05 PM Board train: 3:15 PM Arrive city center: 3:50 PM Check in (early check-in): 4:00-5:00 PM Fresh up, rest: 5:00-6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM
Total time airport-to-dinner: 4.5 hours
The Bottom Line
CDG: RER B (€12, 35 min) is your answer Orly: Orlyval + RER (€12.45, 40 min) Don't: Rent a car, take private car, stress about transport Do: Use the train, save money, arrive refreshed
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