StayAreas

Charles de Gaulle airport to central Paris: every option compared

Charles de Gaulle is about 25 km north-east of central Paris. The RER B train is the fastest way to most hotels; a taxi is easier with luggage or after midnight.

Which option is best depends on where you're staying, so below are journey times to each area we cover.

The options

  1. RER B train

    Direct from terminals 1 and 2 to Gare du Nord (about 30 minutes), Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. Trains run about every 10 to 15 minutes from early morning to around midnight.

    Tip: Buy the special airport ticket; a standard Métro ticket isn't valid for CDG. Keep it until you exit, and keep bags close on crowded trains.

    Stay nearby: Canal Saint-Martin · ~$175/night

  2. Roissybus

    Coach from all terminals to Opéra, next to the Palais Garnier, in about 60 to 75 minutes depending on traffic.

    Tip: Simplest if your hotel is near Opéra or the Grands Boulevards: no stairs, no changes.

    Stay nearby: Opéra & Grands Boulevards · ~$245/night

  3. Taxi

    Official taxis charge a fixed fare to central Paris, one price for the Right Bank and a slightly higher one for the Left Bank. Allow 45 to 70 minutes.

    Tip: Use the official taxi rank outside the terminal and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the arrivals hall.

  4. Night buses

    Noctilien buses N140 and N143 run to Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord when the trains stop.

Before you go

The CDG Express, a non-stop train to Gare de l'Est, is under construction and not expected before 2027, so ignore older guides that list it.

Orly, Paris's second airport, is south of the city and served by the Orlyval shuttle and Métro line 14. The times below are from Charles de Gaulle.

Journey times from Charles de Gaulle by area

AreaFrom Charles de GaulleFastest route
Canal Saint-Martin~40 minRER B from Gare du Nord
Latin Quarter~45 minRER B direct from Saint-Michel or Luxembourg
Opéra & Grands Boulevards~45 minRER B from Châtelet or Gare du Nord, or the Roissybus from Opéra
Le Marais~50 minRER B from Châtelet–Les Halles
Montmartre~50 minMétro to Gare du Nord, then RER B
Saint-Germain-des-Prés~55 minRER B from Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame

Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Oct 2026 · How we research our guides

Hotels we'd book in Canal Saint-Martin

Our top area for this guide. Mid-range doubles cost about $175 a night.

Canal Saint-Martin guide

Best value

Generator Paris

Why we like it: Private rooms and dorms, with a rooftop bar.

Typical budget rate in Canal Saint-Martin: ~$105/night

Check availability

Boutique pick

Hôtel Providence

Why we like it: Plush rooms above a neighbourhood bar.

Typical mid-range rate in Canal Saint-Martin: ~$175/night

Check availability
See all hotels in Canal Saint-Martin

Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more

FAQs

What is the cheapest way from Charles de Gaulle to Paris?

The RER B train. Buy the airport ticket from the machines or the counter at the station; it's valid to any Métro or RER station in Paris.

How long does it take from CDG to central Paris?

About 30 minutes by RER B to Gare du Nord and 35 to 45 minutes to Châtelet or Saint-Michel. Door to door, most of our areas are 40 to 55 minutes away.

Is the taxi from CDG a fixed price?

Yes. Official Paris taxis charge a flat fare from CDG to the city, with separate prices for the Right Bank and the Left Bank. Check the current fare on the sticker in the taxi.

Is there a direct train from CDG to the Eiffel Tower?

No. Take the RER B to Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame and change to the RER C for Champ de Mars–Tour Eiffel, or take a taxi.

More Paris guides

Where to stay in Paris