Airports In Paris: A Comprehensive Guide To The City's Aviation

Paris is served by five airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Beauvais, Vatry, and Le Bourget. However, only Charles de Gaulle and Orly are considered the true Paris airports, with the other three being further away from the city centre. Charles de Gaulle is the biggest and busiest airport in Paris, located 25-30km northeast of the city. It handles most long-haul international flights and is known for its extensive global connections. Orly is a smaller airport located 13-18km south of Paris, catering to domestic and European flights. The other three airports—Beauvais, Vatry, and Le Bourget—are further out and cater mostly to budget airlines and business flights.

Airports in Paris, France

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

The airport has three main terminals, spread across more than a mile and connected by free shuttle buses and CDGVAL automated trains. Terminal 1 is known for its avant-garde architecture, while Terminal 2 is spread across seven sub-terminals, and Terminal 3 is composed of a single building located 1km from Terminal 1.

There are various options for transportation to and from the airport. The RER B train line connects CDG to central Paris, with trains running every 10 to 15 minutes on weekdays. The journey takes around 35 minutes one way, and tickets cost €11.80, or around $13. Taxis are also readily available and offer fixed rates between CDG and the Right Bank and Left Bank. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.

For those looking to shop, CDG offers a range of designer boutiques, including Chanel, Prada, Victoria's Secret, and Swarovski. When it comes to dining, CDG has a variety of 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.

Other amenities at CDG include lounges, free Wi-Fi, play areas for children, a museum area displaying French art, and relaxation areas. There are also hotels located within a free shuttle ride of all three terminals, including YotelAir inside Terminal 2E.

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)

To get to the airport from central Paris, you can take the Orlyval light rail, which connects to the RER B line to access the city centre. You can also take the tramway (T7), buses, or a taxi. The journey should take less than 30 minutes on a good day, and taxis cost around €35 to the Left Bank.

Paris-Orly Airport offers a range of large international carriers, low-cost European flights, and domestic airlines. While most travellers from the US fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can fly direct to Paris-Orly on a budget carrier like French Bee or La Compagnie.

The airport is compact but well-equipped with lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas. There are arrivals level restaurants, cafes, and pâtisseries like Paul and Ladurée Paris. After passing through security, you’ll find everything from gourmet burgers to sleek cocktail bars.

If you have a few hours to spare, you can explore the Delta Museum in Athis-Mons, south of Orly Airport, walk through the world’s largest fresh produce market at Rungis, or head to the nearby Parc de Sceaux for a relaxing walk.

Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)

The two-terminal airport is about 50 miles northwest of the capital, in the town of Tillé. The easiest and most cost-effective way to reach the airport from Paris is via a 75-minute non-stop shuttle from Porte Maillot. The shuttle is located near RER line C and metro line 1. From the nearby regional TER Beauvais train station, travellers can also connect to Paris's Gare du Nord. The trip is 75 minutes, excluding the bus or taxi journey from the Beauvais station to the airport.

A taxi from Paris to the airport will take between an hour and an hour and a half, but the fare is much higher, starting from €185 one-way during the day.

Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport has duty-free shops and restaurants in both terminals. In the departures lounge, travellers can shop for duty-free alcohol, electronics, gastronomy, sweets, perfume, and cosmetics at Aelia. In the Terminal 2 departure lounge, there is also a Relay, which offers travel accessories, drinks, snacks, magazines, books, and souvenirs. Both terminals also feature small cafes and spots with takeaway sandwiches and salads. The only sit-down restaurant is Brasserie Le Faubourg in the public area of Terminal 2.

Le Bourget Airport (LBG)

Paris–Le Bourget Airport, also known as Aéroport de Paris-Le Bourget, is located in portions of the communes of Le Bourget, Bonneuil-en-France, Dugny and Gonesse, 6 NM (11 km; 6.9 mi) north-northeast of Paris, France. It is primarily used for business aviation and private jets.

Le Bourget Airport started commercial operations in 1919 and was Paris's only airport until the construction of Orly Airport in 1932. It is famous as the landing site for Charles Lindbergh's historic solo transatlantic crossing in 1927 in the Spirit of St. Louis. The airport is also known for hosting air shows, most notably the Paris Air Show, which was first held at Le Bourget in 1953.

Le Bourget Airport has a rich history, including notable events such as Adolf Hitler's first and only tour of Paris, which began at the airport in 1940. In 1958, it witnessed the first jet-powered transcontinental flight from New York to Paris by a Boeing 707 operated by Pan Am. The airport has also been featured in various films, showcasing its active runways, the Air and Space Museum, and its collection of surviving commercial aircraft.

Today, Le Bourget Airport continues to serve both domestic and international business aviation. It offers exclusive terminals dedicated to private flights, high-end services tailored for private jet passengers, and convenient access to the city of Paris, located just 6.5 miles (an 18-minute drive) away.

Vatry Airport (XCR)

There are several options for reaching the centre of Paris from Vatry Airport. The airport shuttle from Vatry Airport goes to the cities of Châlons-en-Champagne and Reims, from where you can take a train to Paris. There are also numerous other means of transport to reach Paris, including train and bus. However, it is important to note that there are no direct train links from Vatry Airport to the city centre.

Vatry Airport is one of five airports serving Paris, along with Charles de Gaulle, Orly, Beauvais, and Le Bourget. CDG and Orly are the two biggest French airports in terms of passenger traffic, while Beauvais and Vatry are further away from the city and are common choices for budget travellers.

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