Choosing The Right Airport For Your Paris Vacation

Paris is served by several airports, with Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) being the largest in the greater Paris area. It is one of Europe's biggest aviation hubs and France's most sprawling airport. In 2019, 76.2 million travellers flew into and out of this bustling airport. Paris is also served by Orly International Airport (ORY), Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA), Châlons Vatry Airport, and a few others. Each airport has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of location, facilities, and transportation options. So, which airport should you choose for your Paris adventure?

Paris Airports

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

CDG has three terminals spread across more than a mile. Terminal 1 is the oldest and situated opposite Terminal 3, while Terminal 2 is located on the other side with seven sub-terminal buildings (2A to 2G). Terminal 2 was initially built for Air France but has since been expanded to accommodate other airlines. Terminals 2A to 2F are interconnected by elevated walkways, while Terminal 2G is a satellite building accessible via a shuttle bus. Terminal 3, previously known as "Terminal 9," caters to charter and low-cost airlines.

The terminals at CDG are served by a free automated shuttle rail system, the CDGVAL, which links Terminal 1, parking lots, and the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 RER station (inside Roissypôle) to the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV and RER station between Terminals 2C and 2F. Another shuttle rail line, LISA, is also available. Additionally, CDG offers a direct bus service, the RoissyBus, to the Opera district in Central Paris, costing around $15 and taking about an hour. A taxi to Central Paris from CDG costs around $45-$63 and takes 25-40 minutes.

CDG serves as the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other major airlines, including KLM, Lufthansa, Delta, American Airlines, British Airways, Air China, Air India, and Singapore Airlines. The airport provides a range of amenities, including dining options, shopping, free Wi-Fi, phone-charging stations, beauty and wellness services, and prayer rooms.

Orly International Airport (ORY)

Paris has several airports, including Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly International Airport, Paris-Beauvais Airport, Châlons Vatry Airport, and Beauvais-Tillé Airport. Of these, Orly International Airport (ORY) is a good option for many travellers.

Orly International Airport is located just ten miles south of Paris and is easily accessible by commuter train. It is France's busiest airport for domestic travel, but it also serves international flights, including for Air France. In 2019, it processed 31.9 million travellers, but it somehow feels less frantic than the larger Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The airport has a range of facilities to keep you entertained and occupied, including restaurants, shops, and duty-free stores. It also offers free Wi-Fi.

To get to central Paris from Orly, you can take a taxi, which will cost between €30 and €40 ($32-$42) and take less than 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the RER train to the metro, which will take about an hour and cost about $15. There are also bus options available, including the official airport shuttle, which leaves every 25 minutes and costs €15.90 ($17) for a one-way trip.

Overall, Orly International Airport is a convenient and less stressful option for travellers visiting Paris. It offers a good balance of domestic and international flights and has adequate facilities to meet your needs.

Paris-Beauvais Airport

The airport is accessible by coach, train, taxi, and shuttle services. The official airport shuttle service offers a direct connection between Paris and Porte Maillot, with tickets for adults priced at €16.90 for a single trip and €29.90 for a round trip. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes.

For those travelling by train, the Beauvais train station is 5.5 kilometres from the airport, and from there, you can take the TER train to the Gare du Nord in Paris. The train operates on different schedules depending on the day of the week. The approximate price for a one-way ticket is €15.40.

Taxi services are also available, with a trip to central Paris costing between €30 and €40 and taking less than 40 minutes. However, a taxi ride from the airport to central Paris can cost up to €170.

The airport offers basic facilities, including duty-free shops, international newsstands, a limited number of eateries, and vending machines. There is also free Wi-Fi available. It is important to note that there is no option for overnight stays at the airport.

Châlons Vatry Airport

Paris, France, is served by several airports, including Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Orly International Airport, Paris-Beauvais Airport, and Châlons Vatry Airport. Châlons Vatry Airport (IATA: XCR, ICAO: LFOK) is a minor international airport located near the city of Châlons-en-Champagne, in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is situated 22 kilometres (14 miles) southeast of Châlons-en-Champagne and about 91 miles (147 kilometres) east of central Paris.

The airport is situated at an elevation of 586 feet (179 metres) above sea level and features a single paved runway, designated 10/28, which measures 3,860 by 45 metres (12,664 feet by 148 feet). It offers a range of services, including passenger transport, cargo operations, private flights, and training flights. XCR Airport, as it is also known, provides modern facilities and personalised services for business flights, catering to the specific needs of business travellers.

Although Châlons Vatry Airport is geographically distant from Paris, it is still marketed as Paris-Châlons or Paris-Vatry (Disney) for promotional purposes. It is approximately 105 kilometres (65 miles) away from Disneyland Paris. As of December 2023, Ryanair operates flights from three destinations: Fez, Porto, and Marrakech. Travelling to Paris from the airport can be done by train or bus, with the bus being the cheapest option, costing around €30 ($32) and taking about 4.5 hours.

Transport options to and from the airport

Paris is served by several airports, with Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly International (ORY), and Beauvais-Tillé (BVA) being the most notable. Châlons Vatry Airport (XCR) is also considered a Paris airport for marketing reasons, although it is located 91 miles east of the city and only serves Ryanair flights from three destinations.

Charles de Gaulle Airport

CDG is the largest airport in the greater Paris area and a major European hub for long-haul carriers. It is located in the north of Paris and is about 30-40 minutes by taxi from the 1st arrondissement, costing around $45-$55. The RER train to the metro takes about an hour and costs about $15, while the RoissyBus to the Opera district takes about an hour and costs about $15. Bus 350 and 351 are also available.

Orly International Airport

Orly International Airport is located just ten miles south of Paris and is easily accessible by commuter train. It is a less stressful option than CDG and takes significantly less time to get to the city centre. The RER train to the metro takes about an hour and costs about $15, while the bus takes about 30 minutes and costs about $10. There is also a choice of airport buses to the centre of Paris, as well as a hybrid transfer option. The Orlyval train service runs frequently and offers several stops at major transport interchanges in the city centre.

Beauvais-Tillé Airport

Beauvais-Tillé Airport is a small airport located 53 miles from central Paris and is mostly used by charter and low-cost airlines. It is served by an airport coach service, although passengers can also take a bus or taxi to Beauvais station, which is located more than 3 miles away, and then take a train. A taxi to central Paris from the airport can cost up to $179.

Frequently asked questions