Paris Airports: Which Is The Best Gateway?

Paris is served by multiple airports, but only two are considered main airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). The other two airports, Paris-Beauvais (BVA) and Châlons Vatry (XCR), are used by low-cost airlines. CDG is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest airports in Europe, with direct flights to over 200 countries. ORY is France's busiest airport for domestic travel and also serves international flights. BVA is mostly used by charter and low-cost airlines and is located 53 miles from Paris. XCR is a minor international airport located 91 miles from Paris.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) pros and cons

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest airport in Paris, located 23-25km northeast of the city centre. As one of the busiest airports in Europe, CDG has its pros and cons.

Pros

• CDG is a major gateway for travellers, offering direct flights to many locations worldwide and serving over 105 airlines.
• It is a hub for Air France, Air France Cargo, FedEx Express, and a focus city for airlines such as Air France Hop, easyJet, and Vueling.
• The airport has excellent transportation connections to the city centre via train, bus, and taxi.
• CDG has a wide range of shops, restaurants, lounges, and other amenities across all terminals.
• The airport offers various services for travellers, including medical attention, luggage handling, free Wi-Fi, car rental, and family-friendly amenities such as designated family check-in desks and children's play areas.
• CDG has modern and extensive facilities, including meeting rooms, VIP services, and a range of hotel options for both leisure and business travellers.
• The airport provides free Wi-Fi coverage throughout the terminals.

Cons

• CDG's layout can be complicated and challenging to navigate, especially for first-time visitors, due to its multiple terminals and satellite building structures.
• The airport can be chaotic and overcrowded during peak times, resulting in long lines at immigration, security, and check-in.
• Service variability has been noted, with some areas rated higher for efficiency and cleanliness than others.
• Immigration and security lines can be prolonged, especially during peak travel times.
• The distance from the city centre makes transportation to CDG more time-consuming and expensive compared to other Paris airports.

Orly Airport (ORY) pros and cons

Orly Airport (ORY) is the second-largest airport in Paris, located 13-14km south of the city centre. It is the closest airport to the city and is known for being calmer and easier to navigate than the larger Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Here are some pros and cons of choosing ORY:

Pros:

• Less Congestion: ORY is smaller than CDG, making it generally less crowded and easier to navigate. It has four interconnected terminals, making it simpler to get around compared to CDG's multiple terminals.
• Closer to the City: ORY is the closest airport to Paris, with a travel time of around 30 minutes to the city centre on a good day.
• Transportation Options: The airport has good transportation connections to the city centre via train, bus, and taxi. It is also directly served by a metro line, a tram line, and the Orlyval people mover.
• Amenities: ORY offers a range of shops, restaurants, lounges, and other amenities in both terminals. While it has fewer options than CDG, you can still find arrivals and departures level restaurants, cafes, and pâtisseries.
• Domestic and European Flights: ORY serves as a hub for domestic flights and flights within Europe. It is a good option if you are travelling within the region.

Cons:

• International Transfers: If you are flying from outside Europe or on a long-haul flight, you will likely need to transfer to CDG or another airport, as ORY primarily serves domestic and European flights.
• Slow Security: Security lines at ORY can be slow, especially during peak times.
• Limited International Options: ORY has fewer international flight options compared to CDG, and you may have limited choices for long-haul flights.
• No Airport Hotel: Unlike CDG, ORY does not have a hotel within the terminals, which can be inconvenient for layovers or early morning flights.

Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) pros and cons

Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA), also known as Paris-Beauvais Airport, is a small airport located 53 miles northwest of Paris. Serving budget airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, this airport offers a more manageable size compared to larger airports, with short walking distances and less chaos. Here are the pros and cons of choosing Beauvais-Tillé Airport for your travel needs:

Pros:

• Manageable Size: BVA is a smaller airport with short walking distances, making it easier to navigate compared to larger, busier airports.
• Less Congestion: With fewer flights and passengers, BVA tends to have less congestion and shorter security lines than bigger airports.
• Budget-Friendly: BVA caters to low-cost airlines, offering more affordable flight options for travellers on a budget.
• Nearby Attractions: The airport is located near the city of Beauvais, which has a charming town centre with outdoor cafes, a Gothic cathedral, historic buildings, a museum, public markets, and shops.
• Ground Transportation: BVA provides multiple options for ground transportation, including airport coaches, shuttle vans, local buses, and taxis, making it convenient for travellers to get to and from the airport.

Cons:

• Distance from Paris: BVA is located 53 miles from Paris, which can make the travel time to and from the city longer and more inconvenient.
• Limited Amenities: As a smaller airport, BVA has limited dining and shopping options compared to larger airports. There are only a handful of eateries and shops available.
• Long Queues: Some travellers have reported long queues at passport control and security, which can be a frustrating aspect of travelling through BVA.
• Inconsistent Experience: While some travellers have had positive experiences, others have encountered delays, understaffing, and unfriendly security staff, leading to a mixed reputation for the airport.
• Inconvenient Ground Transportation: The distance to Paris can make ground transportation costly and time-consuming, with reports of long shuttle bus rides and crowded conditions.

Châlons Vatry Airport (XCR) pros and cons

Châlons Vatry Airport (XCR) is a minor international airport located near the city of Châlons-en-Champagne, 91 miles east of Paris. While it is considered a Paris airport, it is not located in the same region as Paris and is quite far from the city centre.

Pros

• Exploring the Champagne region: Châlons Vatry Airport is located in the heart of the Champagne region, making it a great option for those looking to explore the area.
• Low-cost airlines: Some low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, use this airport, which can be a more affordable option for travellers.
• Less crowded: As a smaller airport, Châlons Vatry is likely to be less crowded and easier to navigate than the larger Paris airports.

Cons

• Convenience: Due to its distance from Paris, getting to and from the airport can be inconvenient and time-consuming. It takes around 2 hours to get to Paris by train and 4.5 hours by bus.
• Limited flight options: Currently, Châlons Vatry Airport only serves Ryanair flights from three destinations: Fez, Porto, and Marrakech.
• Limited amenities: The airport only has one bar and restaurant, and no overnight stays are allowed, so travellers will need to find accommodation nearby.

Transport options to and from Paris airports

Paris is served by multiple airports, but only two are considered "main" airports: Charles de Gaulle and Orly. The other two, Paris-Beauvais and Châlons Vatry, are used by some low-cost airlines. Here are the transport options to and from these airports.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

• By train: The RER B train runs every 10 to 15 minutes and connects the airport to several major railway stations in Paris. The journey takes around 30 minutes and costs €11.40 ($12) for adults and €8 for children.
• By bus: The RoissyBus is a direct bus that runs between the airport and Paris-Opéra. It runs every 15 to 20 minutes and the journey takes about an hour. A one-way ticket costs €13.70 ($14), and you can also use the Paris Visite travel card or Navigo pass. Public buses 350 and 351 are also available.
• By taxi: Official taxis are available at designated taxi ranks outside the arrival halls. A trip to the city centre can cost up to €60 ($63). Pre-booking a private transfer is also an option.
• By shuttle: There is a Disneyland Magical Shuttle that stops at more than 10 hotels within Disneyland Paris. It costs €23 ($24) for adults and €10 ($11) for children below 12.

Orly Airport

• By train: The OrlyVal driverless light rail connects Orly Airport to Antony station. From there, you can take the RER B train into the city. The total journey takes around 35 minutes and costs upwards of €12.10 ($13).
• By bus: The OrlyBus takes you to Place Denfert-Rochereau in 30 minutes, where you can connect to the RER or metro. It runs every 10 to 15 minutes and costs €9.50 ($10). Bus 183 to Pont de Rungis is also an option, where you can switch to the RER C for €6.40 ($7). This route takes approximately 50 minutes.
• By taxi: A taxi trip to central Paris costs between €30 and €40 ($32-$42) and takes less than 40 minutes.
• By shuttle: The Disneyland Magical Shuttle from Orly Airport stops at five hotels within the resort and costs the same as the shuttle from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Allow 45 minutes for this journey.

Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA)

• By train: To get to Beauvais station, which is located more than 3 miles away from the airport, you can take a bus or taxi. From there, you can take the TER train to Gare du Nord for €15.40 ($16).
• By bus: Official airport shuttles run directly between Paris and Porte Maillot. A one-way trip costs €15.90 ($17) if pre-booked online, and shuttles leave every 25 minutes. The journey to the city centre takes around 75 minutes.
• By taxi: Paris-Beauvais Airport is 53 miles away from central Paris, and a taxi ride can cost up to €170 ($179). Private transfer services may be slightly cheaper.

Châlons Vatry Airport (XCR)

• By train: Take a taxi to Châlons-en-Champagne station, and board a TGV train to Gare de l'Est in Paris. The trip will take two hours and cost up to €131 ($138).
• By bus: Take a taxi to Nationale, then transfer to bus Lr-140 to Gare SNCF. From there, board another bus to Bercy Seine station. This journey takes about 4.5 hours and is the cheapest option, costing about €30 ($32).

Frequently asked questions