Flights, trains and ways to arrive
Congratulations, you've landed in Paris! 🎉 But... how do you get to your hotel now without losing your mind (or your wallet) in the process? Paris has several airports, and each has its own tricks. Here's a breakdown of the options.
✈️ Check Your Airport! Double-check your ticket. Arriving at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is not the same as Orly (ORY) or Beauvais (BVA - that one is FAR!).
🌍 From Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - The Big One
The main airport, located northeast of Paris.
🚆 Option 1: RER B (Commuter Train) – The Fast Classic
- What it is: A direct train connecting CDG with central Paris stations (Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Denfert-Rochereau).
- Price: Around €11.80 (special airport fare).
- Estimated time: 30-40 minutes to Gare du Nord, 40-50 minutes to Châtelet.
- ✔️ Pros: Fast, avoids traffic, central stops with metro connections.
- ❌ Cons: Can be crowded during peak hours, watch out for pickpockets! 🎒
🚌 Option 2: RoissyBus – Direct to Opéra
- What it is: A direct bus service between CDG and the Opéra Garnier area.
- Price: Around €16.60.
- Estimated time: 60-75 minutes (heavily dependent on traffic).
- ✔️ Pros: Convenient if you're staying near Opéra, direct with no intermediate stops.
- ❌ Cons: More expensive than the RER, subject to traffic jams.
🚕 Option 3: Taxi – The Convenient (Fixed-Fare) Option
💡 Official Fixed Fares (2025 - always double-check just in case):
- CDG to the Right Bank (e.g., Le Marais, Champs-Élysées): €56
- CDG to the Left Bank (e.g., Saint-Germain, Latin Quarter): €65
They should not charge you extra for luggage or anything else! Insist on the fixed fare.
- CDG to the Right Bank (e.g., Le Marais, Champs-Élysées): €56
- CDG to the Left Bank (e.g., Saint-Germain, Latin Quarter): €65
They should not charge you extra for luggage or anything else! Insist on the fixed fare.
- Estimated time: 45-70 minutes (depending on traffic).
- ✔️ Pros: Drops you right at your hotel door, comfortable with lots of luggage.
- ❌ Cons: The most expensive option (along with private transfers).
🚗 Option 4: Uber/Bolt (Rideshare) – The Variable Alternative
- Price: Varies, usually around €45-70 (depends on demand, traffic, and car type). Sometimes cheaper than a taxi, sometimes not.
- Estimated time: 45-70 minutes.
- ✔️ Pros: You order it from the app, you know the price before you confirm (usually).
- ❌ Cons: Dynamic pricing (can surge significantly), finding the pickup spot can be confusing.
🛫 From Orly (ORY) - The Close One
South of Paris, closer than CDG.
🚋 Option 1: OrlyVal + RER B – The Usual Combo
- What it is: An automated train (OrlyVal) to Antony station + RER B train towards Paris.
- Price: Around €14.50 (combined OrlyVal + RER ticket).
- Estimated time: 8 min (OrlyVal) + 25-35 min (RER B) = Total 35-45 min.
- ✔️ Pros: Fast and efficient, good connection to the city center.
- ❌ Cons: Requires a transfer, a bit pricey.
🚌 Option 2: OrlyBus – Direct to Denfert-Rochereau
- What it is: A direct bus between Orly and Place Denfert-Rochereau (south of Paris, connecting to metro lines 4 and 6, and RER B).
- Price: Around €11.50.
- Estimated time: 30-45 minutes (depending on traffic).
- ✔️ Pros: Cheaper than OrlyVal, direct.
- ❌ Cons: Subject to traffic jams, drops you in the south (may require more metro travel).
🚕 Option 3: Taxi (Fixed Fare)
💡 Official Fixed Fares (2025 - check for updates):
- Orly to the Left Bank: €36
- Orly to the Right Bank: €44
- Orly to the Left Bank: €36
- Orly to the Right Bank: €44
- Estimated time: 30-50 minutes.
- ✔️ Pros: Door-to-door, convenient.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive.
🚗 Option 4: Uber/Bolt (Rideshare)
- Price: Varies, approx. €35-60.
- Estimated time: 30-50 minutes.
- ✔️ Pros: App-based, price known beforehand (usually).
- ❌ Cons: Dynamic pricing, finding the pickup spot.
🚊 Option 5: Tram T7 + Metro 7 - The Budget (but Slow) Option
- What it is: Tram T7 from Orly 4 to Villejuif-Louis Aragon + Metro line 7 towards Paris.
- Price: Just 2 t+ tickets (approx. €4.30 if you buy a pack of 10). The cheapest way!
- Estimated time: 30 min (Tram) + 30 min (Metro) = Total 1 hour or more.
- ✔️ Pros: Super cheap!
- ❌ Cons: Slow, requires a transfer, not ideal with lots of luggage.
✈️ From Beauvais (BVA) - The Faraway One (Ryanair & Co.)
⚠️ Heads up! This airport is about 85 km (53 miles) from Paris. It is NOT in Paris!
- The ONLY sensible option: The Official Airport Shuttle Bus.
- Destination: Porte Maillot (northwest Paris, connection to Metro line 1 and RER C).
- Price: Around €17-18 each way (buy a round-trip ticket online to save a little!).
- Estimated time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (WITHOUT traffic... which is rare).
- ✔️ Pros: It's the direct and 'official' way.
- ❌ Cons: Expensive for the distance, drops you off far from the center, add the time and cost of the metro/taxi from Porte Maillot.
🤔 So, Which Option Should I Choose? (CDG/ORY Summary)
| Option | Price (Approx. €) | Time (Approx.) | Best for... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🚆 RER B (CDG/ORY+OrlyVal) | 11.80 / 14.50 | 35-50 min | Balance of speed/price, solo travelers/couples 💸 |
| 🚌 RoissyBus/OrlyBus | 16.60 / 11.50 | 45-75 min / 30-45 min | Staying near Opéra/Denfert, prefer the comfort of a bus |
| 🚕 Taxi (Fixed Fare) | 56-65 / 36-44 | 40-70 min | Maximum comfort, groups, lots of luggage 💼 |
| 🚗 Uber/Bolt | 45-70 / 35-60 | 40-70 min | Alternative to a taxi, variable price |
| 🚊 Tram+Metro (ORY) | ~ 4.30 | 60+ min | Ultra-low budget, light luggage, no rush 🐢 |
🎥 What's next?
You know how to get to the city center. Now it's time to get around town!
- How to use the Metro, Bus, and RER like a Parisian 🚇
- What to see and do in the city of love ❤️
- And many more Parisian secrets! ✨
Get ready to explore Paris! 😄🇫🇷
AI planner
Ready to plan your trip to París?
Generate your custom itinerary in minutes.