Paris's Main Airport: All You Need To Know

what is main airport in paris

Paris, France, is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly, and Beauvais. Charles de Gaulle is the primary international airport serving Paris, located 23 km (14 mi) northeast of the city in Roissy-en-France. It is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle. It is the world's ninth busiest airport and Europe's third busiest, handling over 70 million passengers and nearly half a million aircraft movements in 2024. The airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and other major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and easyJet. Paris Orly Airport, on the other hand, is located 18 km (11 miles) south of the city and caters to domestic and some international flights. Beauvais Airport, situated 75 km north of central Paris, is primarily used by charter companies and budget airlines such as Ryanair.

Characteristics Values
Name Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (also known as Roissy Airport)
IATA Code CDG
ICAO Code LFPG
Location Roissy-en-France, 23 km (14 mi) northeast of Paris
Year of Opening 1974
Named After World War II leader and French President Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970)
Operator Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris), under the brand Paris Aéroport
Number of Terminals 3 (Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3)
Area Covered 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi)
Passenger Traffic (2024) 70,290,260 passengers
Aircraft Movements (2024) 460,916
Ranking (Passenger Traffic) World's ninth busiest airport, Europe's third busiest airport, and France's busiest airport
Ranking (Cargo Traffic) Eleventh busiest in the world and the busiest in Europe
Number of Airlines Served More than 105
Served as the Main Hub for Airlines Air France, easyJet, and Norse Atlantic Airways
Other Amenities Office buildings, shopping areas, hotels, restaurants, etc.

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Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary international airport serving Paris

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is the largest airport in the greater Paris area and a major European hub for long-haul carriers. It is the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other legacy carriers, including Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. It also serves as an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi) of land and has three terminals. 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 originally built exclusively for Air France but has since been expanded to accommodate other airlines. Terminals 2A to 2F are interconnected by elevated walkways, and Terminal 2G is a satellite building connected by a shuttle bus. Terminal 3, formerly known as "Terminal 9," caters to charter and low-cost airlines.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is well-connected to Paris's transit system. It has two train stations: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1, which is accessed via Terminals 1 and 3, and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2, located near Terminal 2. The RER B train service connects the airport to the city, with trains running every 10 minutes and stopping at most major railway stations in Paris. The trip takes around 30 minutes, and fares start from €11.40 ($12). Additionally, the RoissyBus provides a direct bus connection between the airport and Paris-Opéra, with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes and a journey time of about an hour. A one-way ticket costs €13.70 ($14), and passengers can also use their Paris Visite travel card or Navigo pass.

As one of the busiest airports in Europe, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport handled 70,290,260 passengers and 460,916 aircraft movements in 2024. It is served by the greatest number of airlines, with more than 105 airlines operating at the airport. The airport also offers direct flights to the most countries worldwide. In terms of cargo traffic, it is the eleventh busiest airport globally and the busiest in Europe, handling 2,102,268 tonnes of cargo in 2019.

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Paris Orly Airport is the main airport for domestic flights

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, the primary international airport serving Paris, is the larger of the two and is located 14 miles northeast of the city. It is the busiest airport in the European Union in terms of cargo traffic and is served by the greatest number of airlines.

Paris Orly Airport, on the other hand, is France's busiest airport for domestic flights and is located just 10 miles south of the city. It is a hub for Air France's domestic and European flights, as well as some long-haul international flights. While Orly sees fewer passengers overall than Charles de Gaulle, it is still a significant airport, processing 31.9 million travellers in 2019.

Compared to Charles de Gaulle, Orly Airport is calmer and easier to navigate, with four interconnected terminals. It is also the closest airport to Paris's city centre, taking significantly less time to get to and from. This makes it an attractive option for those who find ground transportation overwhelming.

In terms of amenities, Orly's shopping and restaurant offerings are less substantial than those at Charles de Gaulle. However, there are still numerous bars, restaurants, and eateries available, catering to a variety of dining preferences and budgets.

For travellers, the choice between Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports often comes down to the airline they are flying with and their personal preferences for convenience and location.

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Beauvais Airport is used mostly by charter planes and budget carriers

Paris is served by multiple airports, with Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly being considered the two main airports. However, Paris Beauvais, located in the town of Tillé, is the smallest of Paris' regional airports and is the farthest from the city centre.

Beauvais Airport is used predominantly by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. It is a popular choice for budget domestic and European flights, servicing an average of four million passengers per year. The airport is around 50 miles northwest of Paris, and many travellers flying from overseas do not encounter it.

Beauvais Airport is also dominated by charter planes, with the airport coach service being the dominant mode of transport to and from the airport. There are also airport buses, hotel shuttles, private cars and vans available for passengers.

While Beauvais is a relatively busy airport, it is often overshadowed by the larger CDG and Orly airports. These two airports are located on opposite sides of Paris, with Orly being the closest airport to the city centre and the calmer, less frantic option.

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Paris has three main airports

Orly International Airport, located just ten miles south of Paris, is a popular alternative to Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is France's busiest airport for domestic traffic and also handles international flights. Orly Airport has four interconnected terminals and is easily accessible by commuter train, airport shuttle, and taxi services. It is known for its efficient ground transportation options, making it a convenient choice for travellers.

Beauvais International Airport, also known as Paris Beauvais, is the smallest of Paris' regional airports and is located in the town of Tillé, about 50 miles northwest of Paris. It is a popular choice for budget domestic and European flights on low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Beauvais Airport is well-connected to Paris by airport coach services and other transport options. While it is further from the city centre, it offers a cost-effective option for travellers flying to and from Paris.

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Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary international airport serving Paris, France. It is located in Roissy-en-France, 14 miles northeast of Paris. The airport is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle, whose initials form its IATA airport code.

The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres of land and includes three terminals. Terminal 1, designed by Paul Andreu, is the oldest and features a unique, avant-garde design. Terminal 2 was originally built exclusively for Air France but has since expanded to house other airlines. Terminal 3 caters to charter and low-cost airlines. The airport is easily accessible by commuter train and is well-connected to Paris' transit system.

Charles de Gaulle Airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and other major airlines. It is a popular choice for long-haul carriers and international flights. The airport features a range of shopping and dining options, as well as office buildings, hotels, and a bus coach and RER B station within the Roissypôle complex. The airport is operated by Groupe ADP (Aéroports de Paris) under the brand Paris Aéroport.

Frequently asked questions

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the primary international airport serving Paris. It is the busiest airport in France, the third busiest in Europe, and among the top ten busiest in the world.

Charles de Gaulle Airport is located in Roissy-en-France, 23 km (14 miles) northeast of Paris.

Charles de Gaulle Airport serves as the principal hub for Air France. It is also a destination for legacy carriers from Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam, as well as an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. Over 105 airlines operate at the airport, including American Airlines, Delta, KLM, and United Airlines.

The cheapest and fastest way to get to central Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport is by taking the RER B train from Terminal 2. This will take around 35 minutes. You can also take a shuttle bus directly to the city.

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