Paris CDG is not one simple city-center transfer
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport can be easy or exhausting depending on your hotel area. The RER B is useful for some central routes, but a poor last-mile choice can mean stairs, crowded metro transfers, or a long walk with bags. Choose by neighborhood, not just by price.
Best for Gare du Nord
If your hotel is near Gare du Nord, the RER B is usually the logical public transport option. At CDG, follow signs for Paris by Train or RER B. Buy a ticket to Paris and keep it until you exit the station gates.
Watch out: Gare du Nord is a busy station area. If you arrive late or feel overloaded, plan the exact hotel walk before leaving the station.
Best for Marais
For the Marais, RER B plus metro can work if you pack light and your hotel is close to a station. With heavy bags, consider taking RER B to a central station and then a short taxi, or use an official airport taxi from CDG.
Common mistake: choosing a route with two metro changes because it saves a few euros. Stairs and crowds can make the cheap route feel expensive.
Best for Saint-Germain
Saint-Germain is on the Left Bank. Public transport may involve RER and metro changes. Paris airport taxis have official flat-rate zones to Paris, so compare the cost against the stress of dragging luggage through transfers, especially for two or more travelers.
Best for Montmartre
Montmartre is beautiful but can be rough with rolling luggage. Many streets climb sharply, and some metro exits involve stairs. If your hotel is near Abbesses, Lamarck-Caulaincourt, or a small uphill street, ask the hotel for the easiest arrival station or taxi drop-off point.
Best for Disneyland Paris
Do not travel into central Paris first unless your hotel is actually there. From CDG, compare direct shuttle, TGV where available, or pre-booked transfer. Families with luggage may prefer a direct option even if the train looks faster on paper.
Best for La Defense
La Defense is the business district west of Paris. Take the RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles, then transfer to Metro Line 1 or RER A to La Defense. The total journey takes about 60 minutes. A taxi costs around €55 to €65 and takes 30 to 45 minutes without traffic. If you have a meeting in La Defense, the taxi is faster and avoids the metro transfer with luggage.
CDG to Gare du Nord
Gare du Nord is the closest major station to CDG. The RER B takes 30 to 35 minutes and costs €11.80. This station connects to Eurostar trains to London, Thalys to Brussels, and other northern French cities. If you are connecting to a train, the RER B is the direct option. The taxi fare to Gare du Nord is fixed at €56 and takes 25 to 35 minutes.
Paris Taxi Tips
Official Paris taxis are cream-colored with a taxi sign on the roof. The rank is outside each terminal on the arrivals level. Only use official taxis. Do not accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal. The fixed fares (€56 Right Bank, €65 Left Bank) include luggage and up to 4 passengers. Tipping is not expected but rounding up is appreciated. If you pay by card, the terminal is in the back seat.
Late-night fallback
If the RER or metro route looks risky late at night, use the official taxi rank. At CDG, official taxis are found at signed taxi exits. Do not accept rides from people offering taxi service inside the terminal.
Low-battery fallback
Save the hotel address, arrondissement, nearest metro station, and a nearby landmark. For Paris, the arrondissement helps a driver or station agent understand where you are going.
Quick decision
- Gare du Nord: RER B is usually the cleanest choice.
- Marais with light bags: RER B plus metro or short taxi.
- Saint-Germain: compare RER route with flat-rate taxi.
- Montmartre: avoid surprise stair-heavy routes.
- Disneyland Paris: do not route through central Paris unless needed.
What to know before you go
Check visa requirements, local transport apps, and whether your hotel has airport pickup. Screenshot your hotel address before leaving Wi-Fi.
When each option wins
Train wins if you have light luggage and arrive during operating hours. Taxi wins after midnight or with heavy bags. Bus is the budget fallback but adds time and stress.
Common mistakes- Buying the wrong zone ticket
- Not validating metro tickets
- Assuming all airport trains run after midnight
- Not checking late-night transport options
Public transport is usually cheapest. Airport buses are cheaper than trains but slower. Ride-sharing apps can be cheaper than taxis if you share.
Recovery stepsIf you missed the last train: walk to the taxi rank. If the taxi rank is empty: open your ride app. If your phone is dead: ask airport staff for the official rank location.
RER B official timetable and fares
All transport from CDG to Paris
RER B official timetable and fares
All transport from CDG to Paris
Source notes
Checked on 28 June 2026. Paris Aéroport lists official taxi ranks and flat fares to Paris zones. Verify current RER and shuttle schedules before travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the RER B from CDG?
A one-way ticket costs €11.80 and takes 30 to 35 minutes to Gare du Nord. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes from 5:00am to midnight.
What is the fixed taxi fare from CDG?
Paris uses fixed fares: €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. The ride takes 40 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid rush hours (7am to 9am, 5pm to 8pm).
How do I get to Disneyland Paris from CDG?
The TGV train from Terminal 2 to Marne-la-Vallee Chessy takes 10 minutes and costs about €7. Alternatively, a taxi costs €80 to €90 and takes 45 minutes.
Is the Roissybus worth taking?
The Roissybus connects CDG to Opera in 60 to 90 minutes for €16.20. It is slower than the train but simpler if your hotel is near Opera or the Grands Boulevards.
What if I arrive at Terminal 1?
Take the CDGVal shuttle (free, 8 minutes) to reach Terminal 2 where the RER B station is. The shuttle runs every 4 minutes during peak hours.
Related guides
What to know before you goCheck visa requirements, local transport apps, and whether your hotel has airport pickup. Screenshot your hotel address before leaving Wi-Fi.
When each option winsTrain wins if you have light luggage and arrive during operating hours. Taxi wins after midnight or with heavy bags. Bus is the budget fallback but adds time and stress.
Common mistakes- Buying the wrong zone ticket
- Not validating metro tickets
- Assuming all airport trains run after midnight
- Not checking late-night transport options
Public transport is usually cheapest. Airport buses are cheaper than trains but slower. Ride-sharing apps can be cheaper than taxis if you share.
Recovery stepsIf you missed the last train: walk to the taxi rank. If the taxi rank is empty: open your ride app. If your phone is dead: ask airport staff for the official rank location.
Sam's Practical Verdict
For most travelers with luggage, take the train during operating hours or taxi after midnight. Do not complicate it. The cheapest option is not always the easiest, and after a long flight, easy usually wins.
RER B from CDG
The RER B train leaves from the basement of Terminal 2. A one-way ticket costs €11.80 and takes 30 to 35 minutes to Gare du Nord. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes from 5:00am to midnight. Follow the red "RER" signs inside Terminal 2, or take the CDGVal shuttle from Terminal 1 to reach the station. Stand in the middle of the platform for the least crowded carriages.
Official Taxi Flat Rates from CDGParis uses fixed taxi fares from the airport: €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. The rank is outside each terminal. Journey time is 40 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. Between 7am and 9am and 5pm and 8pm, expect the full duration or worse.
RoissybusThe Roissybus connects CDG to Opera metro station in 60 to 90 minutes for €16.20. It departs every 15 minutes from outside each terminal. It is slower than the train but simpler if your hotel is near Opera or in the Grands Boulevards area.
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CDG to Disneyland Paris
If you are heading to Disneyland Paris from CDG, the simplest option is the TGV train from Terminal 2 to Marne-la-Vallee Chessy. It takes 10 minutes and costs about €7. The train runs every 30 minutes. Alternatively, a taxi costs about €80 to €90 and takes 45 minutes. The Marne-la-Vallee station is right at the Disney gates. If you arrive late and the TGV has stopped running, the taxi or a pre-booked transfer is your only option.
CDGVal ShuttleThe CDGVal is a free automated shuttle that connects Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 within the airport. It takes about 8 minutes to complete the loop. If your flight arrives at Terminal 1 and you need to catch the RER B from Terminal 2, take the CDGVal. The shuttle runs every 4 minutes during peak hours and every 8 minutes off-peak. Follow the "CDGVal" signs inside the terminal.
Taxi Tips for Paris CDGThe taxi rank is outside each terminal on the arrivals level. Use only the official white taxis with the Paris taxi logo. Do not accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal. The fixed fare to the Right Bank is €56 and to the Left Bank is €65. These prices include luggage and up to 4 passengers. If you are going to Disneyland Paris, the fare is different and should be negotiated before departure. The ride to central Paris takes 40 to 70 minutes depending on traffic. Avoid the 7am to 9am and 5pm to 8pm rush hours if possible.
When the RER B Is Not Worth ItThe RER B is cheap but not always the best choice. If you have heavy luggage, the train can be crowded during peak hours. You will need to navigate stairs at Gare du Nord if you are transferring to the metro. If your hotel is not near an RER B station, you will end up taking the metro anyway with bags. In these cases, the taxi or Roissybus is worth the extra cost. The time saved and the hassle avoided usually justify the price.
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