
Paris, the city of lights, is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé. Charles de Gaulle is the largest and busiest airport in France, handling most long-haul international flights. Orly is a bit smaller but still accommodates plenty of international travellers and is ideal for domestic and European flights. Further out of town is Beauvais-Tillé, catering mostly to budget airlines. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 70 million passengers travelling through its terminals annually. The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres of land and offers direct flights to the most countries worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 3 |
| Names of Airports | Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, Beauvais-Tillé Airport |
| IATA Codes | CDG, ORY, BVA |
| Distance from Paris | 14-30 miles |
| Number of Terminals | 2-4 |
| Transport Options | Buses, RER trains, trams, long-distance trains, private cars, taxis, VTCs, hotel shuttles |
| Amenities | Lounges, free Wi-Fi, family areas, dining options, shops, waiting areas, luggage storage, ATMs, currency exchange, post offices |
| Busiest Airport | Charles de Gaulle Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- Paris has three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé
- Charles de Gaulle is the largest airport in France and one of the busiest in the world
- Paris Orly is located just 8 miles south of Paris and offers a mix of domestic and international flights
- Beauvais Airport, situated 53 miles north of Paris, primarily serves budget airlines
- Charles de Gaulle Airport has three terminals, with Terminal 1 being the oldest

Paris has three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), located 14-16 miles northeast of Paris, is the largest and busiest airport in France and one of the largest in Europe. It serves as a major hub for international travel, offering direct flights to numerous countries and hosting various airlines. The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 2 being the largest and featuring 7 sub-terminal buildings. CDG is known for its extensive global connections and provides easy access to central Paris via commuter rail lines and shuttle buses.
Paris Orly Airport (ORY), situated 8-18 miles south of Paris, offers a mix of domestic and international flights. It is the second-largest airport in France and features four terminals connected by the Orlyval Light Rail and walkways. Orly provides a more relaxed alternative to CDG, with compact yet well-equipped facilities, including lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas. The airport is well-connected to central Paris, with the Orlyval shuttle train offering the quickest option, taking approximately 35 minutes.
Beauvais-Tillé Airport, located 53-75 miles north of Paris, caters mostly to budget airlines and charter planes, making it ideal for cost-conscious travellers. The airport has a straightforward layout with two terminals and provides basic amenities such as free Wi-Fi, comfortable waiting areas, and international newsstands. Shuttle buses and taxi services connect the airport to Paris, with a travel time of around 80 minutes.
Each airport offers a range of services and facilities to meet the needs of travellers, including dining options, shops, lounges, and transportation options. Paris's airports provide a wealth of choices for travellers, whether they are seeking international or domestic flights, convenience, or cost-effectiveness.
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Charles de Gaulle is the largest airport in France and one of the busiest in the world
Paris, the bustling capital of France, is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé. Charles de Gaulle Airport, located in Roissy-en-France, is the largest airport in France and one of the busiest in the world. In 2024, the airport handled 70,290,260 passengers and 460,916 aircraft movements, ranking as the world's ninth busiest airport and the third busiest in Europe. It is the primary international airport serving Paris, offering extensive global connections and direct flights to the most countries worldwide.
The airport is named after World War II leader and former French President Charles de Gaulle, with its IATA code, CDG, derived from his initials. It serves as the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other legacy carriers, as well as an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. The airport covers 32.38 square kilometres (12.50 sq mi) of land and features three terminals. Terminal 1, the oldest, is 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 expanded to accommodate other airlines. The terminals are served by a free automated shuttle rail system, including the CDGVAL light-rail shuttle, which connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and their parking lots.
The planning and construction of the airport, initially called Aéroport de Paris Nord (Paris North Airport), began in 1966. It opened on 8 March 1974, with Terminal 1 designed by architect Paul Andreu in an avant-garde style. Terminal 2 opened in 1981 and was inaugurated in March 1982 by then-President Francois Mitterrand. Over the years, the airport has undergone various changes and improvements, including the introduction of the Paris Aéroport brand and the merging of several terminals. The CDG Express, a direct express rail link from Paris to the airport, is scheduled to open in early 2027, further enhancing the accessibility of this busy international airport.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is a major gateway for travellers arriving in Paris from all parts of the world. Its location, 23 kilometres (approximately 14-30 miles) northeast of Paris, makes it a convenient option for those travelling to and from the city. The airport is known for its efficient ground transportation options, including taxis, car rentals, and the CDGVAL shuttle system. Additionally, the airport offers a variety of shopping and dining options, ensuring that travellers have a comfortable and convenient experience during their time in Paris.
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Paris Orly is located just 8 miles south of Paris and offers a mix of domestic and international flights
Paris is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé. Paris Orly Airport is located just 8 miles (18 minutes by car or taxi) south of Paris. It is the second-largest airport in France and offers a mix of domestic and international flights. It is a more relaxed alternative to Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is the largest airport in France and one of the largest in Europe.
Paris Orly Airport has four terminals: Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4, connected by the Orlyval Light Rail, which takes one minute to travel between the terminals. The Orlyval light rail also connects the airport to the RER B line to access central Paris. The trip to central Paris takes about 35 minutes. Other options to get to central Paris include tramways (T7), buses, and taxis. Paris Orly is well-equipped with lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas. There are also various dining options, including French delicacies at "Paul" and cafes.
Paris Orly Airport is used for domestic and some international flights, while most international flights land and leave from Charles de Gaulle Airport, which is situated 14-30 miles northeast of Paris, depending on the source. Charles de Gaulle Airport is the busiest airport in France and the third busiest in Europe. It offers direct flights to the most countries and hosts the most airlines in the world. It is the primary international airport serving Paris and most major international cities have flights going to this airport.
Further away from Paris is the smaller Beauvais Airport, which is 53 miles north of Paris and primarily serves budget airlines. It is ideal for cost-conscious travellers and is used by charter companies and budget carriers, including Ryanair and Central Wings.
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Beauvais Airport, situated 53 miles north of Paris, primarily serves budget airlines
Paris is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé. While Charles de Gaulle is the biggest and busiest, handling most long-haul international flights, and Orly is the second-largest, Beauvais-Tillé, situated 53 miles north of Paris, primarily serves budget airlines.
Beauvais Airport, also known as Paris-Beauvais Airport, Beauvais–Tillé Airport, and BVA, is located in the town of Tillé, near the city of Beauvais. It is a prominent aviation hub, serving as the tenth busiest airport in France. The airport is 80-85 kilometres (53 miles) north of Paris and provides a viable alternative for travellers on a budget seeking access to the French capital and its picturesque surrounding areas. It is ideal for those looking for a convenient and affordable travel solution.
Beauvais Airport mainly caters to low-cost and charter airlines, such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, and is a focus city for Ryanair. It offers a range of facilities and services, including shops, restaurants, duty-free outlets, toilets, Wi-Fi, airport reception, lost and found, baggage service, ATMs, baby changing rooms, parking payment machines, and airline counters.
To get to Paris from Beauvais Airport, you can take the Terravision bus service, which takes around 90 minutes and costs approximately US$19.26 each way. A private transfer service is also available, offering a more convenient but expensive option, costing around US$205.16.
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Charles de Gaulle Airport has three terminals, with Terminal 1 being the oldest
Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport, is the primary international airport serving Paris. It is the biggest and busiest airport in France, handling most long-haul international flights and serving as the principal hub for Air France. It is located 14-30 miles northeast of central Paris and is named after World War II leader and French President Charles de Gaulle.
The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 1 being the oldest. 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 house other airlines. Terminals 2A to 2F are interconnected by elevated walkways, while Terminal 2G is a satellite building connected by shuttle bus. Terminal 3 (formerly known as Terminal 9) hosts charter and low-cost airlines.
Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle Airport, designed by the main architect Paul Andreu, features a ten-floor circular building surrounded by seven satellite buildings, each with six gates allowing sunlight to enter through apertures. The avant-garde design of Terminal 1 was complemented by a distinctive chime, composed by Bernard Parmegiani in 1971, that preceded every PA announcement until 2005.
The CDGVAL light-rail shuttle connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and their parking lots. A free shuttle also runs between Terminals 1 and 2 very frequently. To get to central Paris from the airport, you can take the RER B commuter rail line, which takes about 35 minutes one way. Shuttle buses, such as the Roissybus and the Daily Air France Buses, are also available and offer a journey time of around 35 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three airports in Paris: Charles de Gaulle, Orly, and Beauvais-Tillé.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is the biggest airport in Paris. It is also the busiest airport in France and one of the busiest in the world, with over 70 million passengers going through its terminals every year.
Charles de Gaulle Airport is located 14-30 miles (23-48 kilometres) northeast of Paris.
There are several ways to get to central Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport, including shuttle buses, commuter rail, taxis, and private cars. The RER B3 commuter rail line takes 35 minutes to get to central Paris, and the Roissybus shuttle bus takes the same amount of time.
Paris Orly Airport is located 8-18 miles (13-29 kilometres) south of Paris and offers a mix of domestic and international flights. It has four terminals connected by the Orlyval Light Rail, which also connects the airport to central Paris in about 35 minutes. The airport is compact but well-equipped with lounges, free Wi-Fi, and family areas.










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