The Many Airports Of Paris: A Comprehensive Guide

Paris is served by multiple airports, but only two are considered main airports: Charles de Gaulle and Orly. These two airports are used mostly for international travel, while the other two airports, Paris-Beauvais and Châlons Vatry, are used occasionally by low-cost airlines. Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest airports in Europe, with direct flights to more than 200 countries. Orly Airport is France's busiest airport for domestic traffic, although it also serves international flights.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Paris is served by multiple airports, but only two—Charles de Gaulle and Orly—are considered "main" airports, especially for international travel. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest airports in Europe. It is located in Roissy-en-France, 14-16 miles (23-30 minutes by car) northeast of Paris. It is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle.

The airport has three main terminals, spread across more than a mile, with Terminal 1 boasting an avant-garde architectural design. The terminals are connected by free shuttle buses and the CDGVAL automated train system. CDGVAL also enables travel between the airport and the city centre of Paris. The airport is served by the RER B train line, with trains running every 10 minutes and taking around 30 minutes to reach the city, with fares starting from €11.40. Buses, taxis, and car rentals are also available.

CDG offers lounges, free Wi-Fi, play areas for children, a museum area showcasing French art, and relaxation areas. It features a variety of dining options, including restaurants by starred chef Guy Martin, such as "I Love Paris", "The French Taste", and "Miyou" in Terminal 2E. There are also coffee shops, salad bars, fast-food restaurants, and sushi shops. The airport also has designer boutiques, including Chanel, Prada, Victoria's Secret, and Swarovski.

In 2024, CDG handled over 70 million passengers and nearly 461,000 aircraft movements, making it the world's ninth busiest airport and Europe's third busiest in terms of passenger numbers. It is served by more than 105 airlines and offers direct flights to over 200 countries. The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi) of land and spans over three départements and six communes.

The planning and construction of CDG, then known as Aéroport de Paris Nord (Paris North Airport), began in 1966. It opened on 8 March 1974, with Terminal 1 designed by Paul Andreu in an avant-garde style. Terminal 2 opened in 1981, with a traditional linear layout that has since evolved into seven sub-terminals, designated 2A through to 2G. Terminal 3, formerly known as "Terminal 9", hosts charter and low-cost airlines.

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)

Orly is France's busiest airport for domestic traffic and the second busiest French airport overall in terms of passenger traffic, serving 33,123,027 passengers in 2024. The airport covers 15.3 km2 (5.9 sq mi) of land and has four terminals, Orly 1-2-3 and Orly 4, which are interconnected and can be travelled between via the Orlyval light rail and walkways.

Paris-Orly Airport offers a more relaxed alternative to CDG, with a mix of domestic and international flights. Flights operate to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and North America. The airport serves as a secondary hub for domestic and overseas territories flights of Air France and as the home base for Transavia France.

In terms of transportation to and from the airport, the Orlyval light rail connects the airport to Antony station, from where passengers can take the RER B line into central Paris. The total journey takes around 35 minutes and costs upwards of €12.10. There are also bus and taxi options available, with the bus journey taking around 30 minutes and costing €9.50, and a taxi ride to central Paris costing between €30 and €40 and taking less than 40 minutes.

Paris-Orly Airport has a range of amenities available for travellers, including lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas. There are also dining options available, such as French delicacies at "Paul" and cafes. The airport also features a variety of shops, including luxury brands like Victoria's Secret and Guerlain, as well as Extime Duty-Free Paris stores.

Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA)

Paris is served by multiple airports, with Charles de Gaulle and Orly considered the two "main" airports. However, Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA), also known as Beauvais-Tillé Airport, is one of the other four airports serving Paris. It is an international airport located near the city of Beauvais in the commune of Tillé in the Hauts-de-France region, 53 miles (85 kilometres) north-northwest of Paris. In 2016, it was the tenth busiest airport in France, handling nearly four million passengers. Paris-Beauvais Airport is mostly used by charter and low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. It has two terminals and serves flights to more than 60 destinations across Europe.

Paris-Beauvais Airport is accessible by coach, rail, taxi, or shuttle services. The airport shuttle runs directly between Paris and Porte Maillot, with a one-way trip taking around 75 minutes and costing €15.90 if booked online in advance. The shuttle buses are timed to the arrival of flights and are readily available, with the next bus lining up once one is filled. However, during peak hours, heavy traffic can significantly increase travel time. Travellers can also take a train to Beauvais station, located 3 miles from the airport, and then take the TER train to Paris Gare du Nord for €15.40.

Paris-Beauvais Airport has simpler amenities compared to larger airports. It offers free Wi-Fi, a comfortable waiting area, international newsstands, and vending machines. There are only a handful of eateries, including Cafe Kiosque and Pizzeria Tony in Terminal 1, and Paul in Terminal 2 for fast food. Relay offers basic travel needs, while Aelia is a duty-free outlet selling a range of high-quality products. The airport is best suited for quick stopovers due to its limited facilities.

Paris–Le Bourget Airport

Due to capacity constraints, Air France transferred all of its operations to Orly in 1952. The Paris Air Show was first held at Le Bourget in 1953. The airport hosted the first jet-powered transcontinental flight from Idlewild Airport, New York, in 1958, with a fuel stop in Gander, Newfoundland. On 16 June 1961, the Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defected at Le Bourget Airport.

In 1977, Le Bourget was closed to international airline traffic, and in 1980 to regional airline traffic. However, it continues to serve both domestic and international business aviation. Le Bourget Airport has been called "The Teterboro of Europe" because of the significant role it plays in accepting business aviation flying into Paris. The airport is also the base for the Musée de l’air et de l’espace, France's main state-owned aviation museum.

Châlons Vatry Airport

Paris, the City of Light, is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé. However, there are two more airports that occasionally cater to low-cost airlines: Paris-Beauvais and Châlons Vatry.

For many years, the airport was under the control of the French Air Force and used as a training facility. Around 2000, it was sold to civil interests and switched from military to civilian use. Today, it is being used as an international heavy cargo and commercial passenger airport. Châlons Vatry Airport also serves as a pilot training site for both commercial and military planes. Airlines that use the facility include Air France, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, KLM, Transavia, Transavia France, and Swiss International Air Lines.

Due to the length of its runway, Airbus often uses this airport for testing new aircraft, such as the tests for A350 Velocity Minimum Unstick.

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