Paris Airport Transfer Guide: CDG, Orly and Beauvais Explained
Whether you’re arriving in Paris for the first time or returning after many trips, navigating the city’s airports can feel overwhelming. Paris is served by three distinct airports — Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé — each located at a different distance from the city center and offering a different set of ground transportation options. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get from the plane to your destination as smoothly as possible.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Location and Overview
Charles de Gaulle is the largest and busiest airport in France, located roughly 25 kilometers northeast of Paris. It serves the vast majority of long-haul international flights and is spread across three main terminals — T1, T2, and T3 — connected by shuttle buses and an automated people mover called CDGVAL.
How to Get from CDG to Paris
RER B (Train)
The most affordable option is the RER B line, which connects CDG to central Paris in approximately 35 to 50 minutes depending on your destination. Stations include Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles, and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. It runs frequently and is budget-friendly, but it requires navigating stairs with luggage and can be crowded during peak hours.
Le Bus Direct (Airport Shuttle)
Several coach lines — often branded as Le Bus Direct — connect the airport to key areas of Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Opéra, and Gare de Lyon. Journey times vary depending on traffic, typically ranging from 45 minutes to over an hour.
Taxi
Paris taxis operate at a fixed fare from CDG to central Paris (within the Périphérique), which was introduced to bring clarity and consistency for travelers. The flat rate differs depending on whether your destination is on the Left Bank or the Right Bank. Taxis are metered beyond those zones.
Private Transfer
A private transfer from CDG offers door-to-door service with a fixed price agreed in advance, no waiting in queues, and a driver who meets you in the arrivals hall. This is particularly useful for travelers with heavy luggage, families, business travelers, or those arriving late at night when public transport is less reliable.
Typical Travel Time to Paris City Center
- By train (RER B): 35–50 minutes
- By taxi or private car: 40–60 minutes (traffic-dependent)
- By coach: 45–75 minutes
Orly Airport (ORY)
Location and Overview
Orly is located about 14 kilometers south of Paris and handles a large volume of domestic French flights as well as short and medium-haul European routes. It has two main terminals — Orly 1–2–3 (grouped together) and Orly 4 — and has undergone significant modernization in recent years.
How to Get from Orly to Paris
Orlyval + RER B
There is no direct train line between Orly and central Paris. The standard public transport option combines the Orlyval automated shuttle (which connects Orly to Antony station) with the RER B train into the city. The combined journey takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes and requires a change, which can be inconvenient with luggage.
Tram Line 7 (T7)
A tram line connects Orly to Villejuif–Louis Aragon, where you can transfer to Metro Line 7 into Paris. This option is slower but offers a more scenic and less stressful experience for those with manageable luggage.
Bus
Several Île-de-France Mobilités bus lines serve Orly and connect it to various metro stations on the southern edge of Paris. Journey times depend on traffic and the time of day.
Taxi
Similar to CDG, fixed taxi fares apply for journeys between Orly and Paris within the Périphérique, with rates varying depending on your destination bank.
Private Transfer
Given that Orly’s public transport connections involve at least one change, a private transfer can be a particularly convenient choice. You’ll be picked up directly at arrivals and driven to your hotel, apartment, or train station without having to navigate multiple modes of transport.
Typical Travel Time to Paris City Center
- By Orlyval + RER B: 35–45 minutes
- By taxi or private car: 25–45 minutes (traffic-dependent)
- By tram + metro: 50–70 minutes
Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)
Location and Overview
Beauvais is often marketed as a “Paris” airport, but it is located approximately 85 kilometers north of the capital — closer to the city of Beauvais than to Paris itself. It is primarily used by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Travelers choosing Beauvais for budget flights should factor in the additional time and cost of getting into Paris.
How to Get from Beauvais to Paris
Official Airport Shuttle
The airport operates a dedicated coach service that runs between Beauvais and Porte Maillot in Paris. The journey takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic, and buses are generally timed to coincide with flight arrivals and departures.
Train + Bus Combination
There is a local bus connecting the airport to Beauvais city center, from where trains run to Paris Gare du Nord. This journey can take well over two hours in total and involves coordination between local bus schedules and train timetables.
Private Transfer
Because of Beauvais’s distance from Paris, a private transfer is the most comfortable and time-efficient solution, even if it comes at a higher price than for CDG or Orly. A fixed price agreed in advance removes any surprise costs, and a driver picking you up directly at arrivals saves considerable stress after a long flight.
Typical Travel Time to Paris City Center
- By official shuttle coach: 1h15–1h30
- By private car: 1h00–1h30 (traffic-dependent)
- By train via Beauvais station: 2h00+ (total journey)
Choosing the Right Transfer Option for Your Needs
Each airport and each traveler profile calls for a different approach. Here is a quick summary to help you decide:
Situation | Recommended Options:
Solo traveler, light luggage, budget-conscious : Public transport (RER B from CDG, Orlyval from ORY) |
Family with children and heavy bags : Private transfer or taxi with fixed fare
Business traveler needing reliability : Private transfer
Arriving late at night or very early morning : Private transfer (reduced public transport frequency)
Arriving at Beauvais from a budget airline : Official shuttle or private transfer
Le Havre and the Paris Connection
If your journey includes a stopover or you’re traveling via Le Havre before heading to Paris, planning your airport transfer in advance becomes even more important. The distance between Le Havre and Paris is around 200 kilometers, and coordinating that leg of the trip with an onward flight at CDG, Orly, or Beauvais requires careful timing. A private transfer covering the full Le Havre–Paris route — timed to your flight schedule — can eliminate the risk of missed connections and make the entire journey seamless.
Conclusion
Paris’s three airports each present a different set of challenges and opportunities for travelers. CDG offers the most public transport options, Orly sits conveniently close to the city, and Beauvais requires the most planning despite its low-cost appeal. Whatever your arrival point, understanding your transfer options before you land makes a significant difference. A private transfer remains the most flexible and stress-free solution, particularly for those who value time, comfort, and predictability at the start or end of a trip.