
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France, located in the suburban commune of Roissy-en-France, about 23km northeast of Paris. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a hub for Air France and easyJet, with nearly 500,000 flights and 76 million passengers annually. With three terminals, an array of dining and shopping options, and impressive art exhibitions, CDG is a convenient gateway to the French capital and beyond.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Airport Name | Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport |
Other Names | Roissy Airport, Paris Airport, Paris Aéroport, CDG Airport |
Location | Roissy-en-France |
Distance from Paris City Centre | 23-25 km |
Distance from Paris-Orly Airport | 37 km |
Distance from Paris Beauvais Airport | 68 km |
Year Opened | 1974 |
Number of Terminals | 3 |
Number of Sub-Terminal Buildings | 7 |
Number of Runways | 4 |
Area Covered | 32.38 sq km |
Number of Airlines | Over 300 |
Number of Passengers (2023) | 67.4 million |
Number of Passengers (2024) | 70.29 million |
Ranking in Europe | 2nd or 3rd busiest airport |
Ranking Worldwide | 9th busiest airport |
What You'll Learn
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is located in Roissy-en-France
- It is the largest and busiest international airport in France
- CDG Airport has three terminals
- Terminal 2 is the largest terminal and is divided into 7 sections
- The airport is named after World War II leader and French President Charles de Gaulle
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is located in Roissy-en-France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France. It is located in the suburban commune of Roissy-en-France, about 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris. It is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle. The airport first opened its doors in 1974, replacing the old Paris North Airport.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the main airport serving Paris and is also the primary hub for Air France. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with nearly 500,000 flights and over 70 million passengers passing through its three terminals annually. The terminals are designed to be interconnected, with Terminal 2 being the largest and consisting of seven sub-terminal buildings. The terminals offer a wide range of amenities, including dining, shopping, and relaxation options for both family-friendly and premium travel needs. The airport also features impressive art exhibitions and the Espace Musées in Departure Hall M of Terminal 2E, showcasing unique exhibits throughout the year.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is well-connected to the Paris city centre, with multiple transportation options available. Travellers can opt for a 40-minute drive or take the train from one of the airport's two stations. The high-speed TGV train departs from Station 2 to destinations across France and neighbouring countries, while the regional RER B train offers a more affordable option with stops at both stations. The CDGVAL light-rail shuttle also connects the terminals and their parking lots, making it convenient for passengers to navigate the expansive airport.
The airport has undergone several changes and renovations over the years to accommodate the high volume of passengers and airlines it serves. It is regarded as a complex airport, especially due to the vast size of Terminal 2. Despite its complexities, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is considered passenger-friendly, providing top-rated services and amenities to those travelling to and from the City of Lights.
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It is the largest and busiest international airport in France
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France. It is located in the suburban commune of Roissy-en-France, about 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris. The airport is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle.
CDG airport is a major hub for international travel, with nearly 500,000 flights and over 70 million passengers passing through its three terminals each year. It is the second busiest airport in Europe and the ninth busiest in the world. The airport is well-developed, with a wide range of services, including international restaurants, shops, banks, ATMs, currency exchanges, mail offices, lounges, and free Wi-Fi.
Terminal 2 is the largest of the three terminals and offers the best selection of duty-free shopping and dining options. Terminal 1 is the oldest terminal and is situated opposite Terminal 3, which primarily serves charter and low-cost airlines. All three terminals are served by a free automated shuttle rail system, with two lines (CDGVAL and LISA) connecting the terminals and their parking lots.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and other legacy carriers such as Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. It is also an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. The airport is operated by Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris) under the brand Paris Aéroport.
In addition to its role as an international travel hub, CDG airport also features impressive art exhibitions within its terminals. The Espace Musées in Departure Hall M of Terminal 2E hosts two unique exhibitions per year, and artworks throughout the airport are rotated periodically.
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CDG Airport has three terminals
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest international airport in France. Located in Roissy-en-France, approximately 23km to 25km northeast of Paris, CDG Airport has three terminals.
Terminal 1, the oldest, is situated opposite Terminal 3. Designed by Paul Andreu, it was built in the image of an octopus. The circular terminal building houses key functions such as check-in counters and baggage claim conveyors. Seven satellites with boarding gates are connected to the central building by underground walkways. The central building, with a large skylight in its centre, dedicates each floor to a single function. The second floor contains shops and restaurants, the CDGVAL inter-terminal shuttle train platforms, and check-in counters. Terminal 3, formerly known as Terminal 9, is located about 1km away from Terminal 1 and consists of a single building for arrivals and departures. It hosts charter and low-cost airlines.
Terminal 2 is located on the other side of Terminal 1 and has seven sub-terminal buildings (2A to 2G). It was originally built exclusively for Air France but has since been expanded to house other airlines. Terminals 2A to 2F are interconnected by elevated walkways and situated next to each other, while Terminal 2G is a satellite building connected by shuttle bus. Terminal 2 is the largest of the three terminals and has the best selection of shops and the most impressive duty-free offerings. It also features impressive art exhibitions on the walls and in the 250-square-metre Espace Musées in Departure Hall M, Terminal 2E.
The CDGVAL light-rail shuttle system connects Terminal 2 to Terminals 1 and 3 and their parking lots. Terminals 1 and 3 each have one close-to-terminal parking facility, while Terminal 2 has four car parks serving its seven sections. Three long-stay parking lots are also available inside the Paris airport complex.
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Terminal 2 is the largest terminal and is divided into 7 sections
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary international airport serving Paris, France. Located in Roissy-en-France, about 23 kilometres (14 miles) northeast of Paris, the airport is named after the World War II leader and French President Charles de Gaulle.
CDG Airport has three main terminals—Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3—but it is actually made up of nine buildings. Terminal 2 is the largest terminal and is divided into seven sections (2A to 2G). Each of these sections has its own facilities, and they are interconnected by elevated walkways, except for 2G, which is a satellite building accessible by shuttle bus from 2F. Terminal 2 was originally built exclusively for Air France, but it has since been expanded and now houses dozens of other airlines as well.
The seven sections of Terminal 2 are as follows:
- 2A: This section is connected to 2C by a boarding area that allows for security and passport control in a single area, as well as new shopping opportunities and airline lounges.
- 2B: This section serves long-haul carriers belonging to the Oneworld alliance, including Air Tahiti Nui and Air Austral.
- 2C: This section is connected to 2A (see above).
- 2D: This section was closed during the pandemic but has since been upgraded and reopened, with some airlines moving their operations here. It serves British Airways, easyJet, and other airlines.
- 2E: This is one of the largest and most modern sections of Terminal 2 and is mainly used by Air France and SkyTeam members such as AeroMexico and Delta Airline.
- 2F: This section is also one of the largest and most modern, and it is primarily used by Air France and SkyTeam members. It serves transit travellers and has Check-in areas 1-7 and Boarding zones F.
- 2G: This section is a satellite building that is only accessible by a free shuttle bus from 2F.
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The airport is named after World War II leader and French President Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle Airport, often known as Roissy Airport and abbreviated as CDG, is one of the world's principal aviation hubs and France's largest airport. It is named after Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970), a French military leader, statesman, and president who played a pivotal role in France's modern history. De Gaulle was a key figure in the Free French Forces during World War II and later founded the Fifth Republic, serving as its first president from 1959 to 1969.
The airport is located in Roissy-en-France, a commune in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris, approximately 25 kilometres (16 miles) from the city centre. Given de Gaulle's significance and influence on French history, it is fitting that one of the country's most important transport hubs bears his name. De Gaulle was a prominent leader during World War II, and his contributions to the French Resistance and the Free French Forces were significant. He was a vocal critic of the armistice that the Vichy French government signed with Nazi Germany and became a symbol of French resistance and nationalism.
De Gaulle's wartime leadership and his determination to continue the fight against Nazi Germany from abroad inspired many French people to join the Resistance movement. He was an influential figure in the Free French Forces, a military organization that fought alongside the Allies against the Axis powers. De Gaulle's post-war political career was equally notable, as he played a crucial role in shaping modern France. He founded the Fifth Republic and served as its first president, a period marked by his efforts to rebuild France's economy, strengthen its international relations, and establish a strong, centralized government.
De Gaulle's policies and vision for France had a lasting impact on the country, and he remains one of its most revered and influential leaders. Charles de Gaulle Airport, a vital gateway to France and a hub of international travel, stands as a fitting tribute to this remarkable leader and statesman. The airport's name honours de Gaulle's memory and ensures that his legacy continues to be remembered by millions of travellers passing through its gates each year.
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Frequently asked questions
CDG airport is in Paris, France.
CDG airport is located 23km (14 miles) northeast of Paris. The drive to the city centre takes about 40 minutes depending on traffic.
You can take a train from one of the airport's two stations. Station 1 is next to Terminal 3 and Station 2 is under Terminal 2. The high-speed TGV train departs from Station 2 to destinations across France and even into Belgium and the Netherlands. The regional RER B train stops at both stations.