It’s a common question – how much time should you allot for a trip to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)? It’s hard to say precisely, especially considering the time needed to transition from train to plane or vice versa.
Important Considerations for a Smooth Journey
Let’s break down the essential factors for a stress-free experience:
- Arrival at CDG: You should give yourself at least 2 hours to disembark the plane, clear customs (especially if you are not a European Union resident), and collect your luggage.
- Departure from CDG: If you’re heading to Paris from CDG, remember that you’ll need to check in 2 to 3 hours in advance. This means you should allow 2.5 to 3 hours for the entire transfer.
- Flexible Train Tickets: Always consider flexible train tickets! These tickets provide the freedom to exchange or refund your tickets before departure if your flight is delayed. It’s much better than facing the stress of last-minute ticket purchases at inflated prices.
- Cancellation: Remember to cancel your ticket before the train departs to ensure a refund.
Gare du Nord: The Bustling Hub of Europe
Gare du Nord, Europe’s busiest railway station, is located in the 10th arrondissement of Paris. It’s your gateway to northern France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Travelling to CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B line. For Terminals 1 and 3, exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1. For Terminals 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G, exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle – TGV. Expect a journey of at least 25 minutes at a cost of €9.50 for a single ticket.
- Taxi: A taxi ride from Gare du Nord to Charles de Gaulle Airport will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Travelling from CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B line towards Châtelet and exit at Gare du Nord. This trip takes around 25 minutes.
- Taxi: A taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare du Nord will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Gare de Lyon: A Gateway to Southern and Eastern Europe
Gare de Lyon, France’s third busiest and one of Europe’s most popular stations, is on the north bank of the Seine River in Paris’s 12th arrondissement. It’s your starting point for journeys towards southern and eastern France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Travelling to CDG:
- Public Transport: Take RER line D to Gare du Nord and change to the RER B towards Charles de Gaulle. This trip takes approximately 50 minutes. Alternatively, take RER line A to Châtelet-Les Halles and then hop on the RER line B towards Charles de Gaulle.
- Taxi: A taxi from Gare de Lyon to Charles de Gaulle Airport will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Travelling from CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B until Châtelet-Les Halles and change to line 14 towards Olympiades. Exit at Gare de Lyon. The journey takes about 40 to 50 minutes and costs €9.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare de Lyon will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Gare de l’Est: A Journey to Eastern France and Germany
Gare de l’Est, a large and historic rail station (established in 1849), is located in Paris’s 10th arrondissement near Gare du Nord. It’s the departure point for trains heading towards eastern France and Germany.
Travelling to CDG:
- Public Transport: A short walk will take you to Gare du Nord, where you can take the RER B. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 for Terminals 1 and 3. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle – TGV for Terminals 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. The journey takes between 30 and 60 minutes and costs €7.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Gare de l’Est to Charles de Gaulle Airport will take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Travelling from CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B from Aéroport Charles de Gaulle and exit at Gare du Nord. From there, a short walk will take you to Gare de l’Est. This journey takes between 30 and 60 minutes and costs €7.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare de l’Est will take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Gare d’Austerlitz: Connecting to Regional Destinations
Gare d’Austerlitz, one of Paris’s large terminus railway stations, is located on the left bank of the Seine River in the 13th arrondissement. It serves regional destinations.
Travelling to CDG:
- Public Transport: Take line 5 towards Bobigny and change at Gare du Nord to the RER B towards Charles de Gaulle Airport. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 for Terminals 1 and 3. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle – TGV for Terminals 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes and costs €9.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Gare d’Austerlitz to Charles de Gaulle Airport will take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Travelling from CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B towards Châtelet. Change at Gare du Nord to line 5 towards Place d’Italie and exit at Gare d’Austerlitz. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes and costs €9.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare d’Austerlitz will take between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Gare Saint Lazare: A Busy Hub for Regional and Long-Distance Travel
Gare Saint Lazare, Paris’s second largest station, handles over 100 million passengers annually and over 450,000 passengers daily. It’s a primary hub for regional commuters. The station connects to long-distance destinations like Normandy and the western suburbs of Paris.
Travelling to CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER E towards Tournan and exit at Gare du Nord/Magenta. From there, take the RER B towards Charles de Gaulle. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 for Terminals 1 and 3. Exit at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle – TGV for Terminals 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes and costs €9.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Gare Saint Lazare to Charles de Gaulle Airport will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Travelling from CDG:
- Public Transport: Take the RER B towards Châtelet and exit at Gare du Nord/Magenta. Then, take the RER E towards Haussmann-Saint Lazare and exit at Saint Lazare. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes and costs €9.50.
- Taxi: A taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare Saint Lazare will take between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, costing €50-70 or more.
Remember: To learn more about transferring between Paris train stations, consult our guide about train stations in Paris. Enjoy your travels!
