Landing in Paris is the easy part. Choosing the wrong airport—or the wrong transfer—can quietly add two hours, an unexpected fare and a stressful start to your trip. Paris is served by three airports commonly used by leisure travellers, but they are not interchangeable. Charles de Gaulle is the principal long-haul gateway, Orly is the closest major airport for many central and southern Paris addresses, and Beauvais can make a low-cost ticket attractive only if its distance and ground transport are included in the calculation.
This independently researched Paris airports guide 2026 compares real access times, official public-transport fares, regulated taxi prices and the situations in which a private chauffeur genuinely saves time. Information was checked against Paris je t’aime, Île-de-France Mobilités, Service-Public, Groupe ADP, Aéroport Paris-Beauvais and CDG Express on 2 August 2026.
CDG, Orly or Beauvais: the quick answer
| Airport | Approx. distance from central Paris | Best for | Typical public option | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris–Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 25 km north-east | Long-haul flights, major airlines, international connections | RER B: about 35–50 minutes; airport ticket €14 | Large terminals: check terminal and meeting point carefully |
| Paris-Orly (ORY) | 14 km south | European, Mediterranean and French routes; Left Bank stays | Metro 14: about 25 minutes; airport ticket €14 | Usually the fastest major airport-to-centre rail journey |
| Paris-Beauvais (BVA) | About 85 km | Selected low-cost flights | Official Aérobus; generally 75–90+ minutes depending on route and traffic | Compare the total journey cost, not the airfare alone |
| Paris-Le Bourget (LBG) | About 7 km north-east | Business and private aviation | Pre-arranged road transfer | Not a normal scheduled-passenger alternative |
OUISTARS verdict: choose CDG for the widest long-haul network, Orly for convenience when the flight schedule works, Beauvais only after adding the transfer time and price, and Le Bourget for private aviation.
Paris–Charles de Gaulle: the global gateway
CDG handled 72,029,407 passengers in 2025, according to Groupe ADP. Its scale brings route choice, lounges, rail connections and direct TGV services, but also long walking distances and several terminal complexes. A traveller landing at Terminal 2E should not simply tell a driver “CDG”: the terminal, exit door and pickup instruction matter.
How to reach Paris from CDG
- RER B: the standard direct rail link to Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. Allow roughly 35–50 minutes once aboard, plus walking and waiting time.
- Airport rail ticket: the Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket costs €14 at the full fare from 1 January 2026.
- Official taxi: regulated flat fares are €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Use the signed taxi rank and ignore unsolicited approaches in the terminal.
- Private chauffeur: useful for families, late arrivals, several suitcases, child seats, a fixed meeting plan or a direct trip beyond central Paris.
RoissyBus permanently stopped operating on 1 March 2026. Travellers should not follow older guides that still recommend it. Bus 9517 from Saint-Denis–Pleyel is one alternative, while RER B remains the principal rail option.
Important: CDG Express is not a 2026 transport option. The official launch is planned for 28 March 2027, with a projected 20-minute journey between Gare de l’Est and the airport.
Paris-Orly: closest and increasingly convenient
Orly handled 34,928,909 passengers in 2025. Its four passenger areas—Orly 1, 2, 3 and 4—share one airport site. For many hotels on the Left Bank, around Montparnasse or in southern Paris, it can be the most practical arrival point.
Metro 14 changed the airport calculation
The direct Line 14 extension puts central Paris at roughly 25 minutes from the airport under normal operating conditions. The Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket costs €14. Orlyval with RER B remains another route, while Tram T7 is cheaper for some local journeys but much slower for a visitor heading to the centre.
Official taxi fares are fixed at €36 to the Left Bank and €45 to the Right Bank. A pre-booked vehicle becomes especially useful when a family’s luggage would require several Metro changes after Line 14, or when the final address is outside Paris.
Paris-Beauvais: low fare, long transfer
Beauvais is not in Paris and is about 85 kilometres from the capital. It can be an economical gateway for selected low-cost routes, but only when the passenger includes the Aérobus or private transfer, waiting time and the onward journey from the Paris stop.
The airport operates official Aérobus services, including routes whose stops and schedules can change. A road journey commonly requires 75–90 minutes and can take longer in peak traffic. Book on the airport’s official website and select a departure leaving a generous margin before the flight. For a family of four or more, compare the combined shuttle cost with a correctly sized private vehicle before deciding.
Le Bourget: the business-aviation airport
Le Bourget serves private and business aviation rather than ordinary scheduled passenger traffic. Its proximity to Paris is attractive, yet pickup arrangements depend on the specific fixed-base operator. Corporate assistants, hotels and travel agencies should send the aircraft details, terminal/FBO, passenger names and luggage volume to the transport provider in advance.
How long from landing to the vehicle?
Flight arrival time is not pickup time. Passengers may need to walk from the gate, complete border formalities, collect baggage and clear customs. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational in 2026 and can add processing steps for eligible non-EU travellers. A practical estimate is often 60–120 minutes after landing, but queues, terminal, passport, checked baggage and assistance needs can change it substantially.
No chauffeur can bypass immigration, customs or airport security. A professional service should monitor the flight and communicate a realistic meeting procedure. Read our 2026–2027 EES and ETIAS guide before travelling.
Public transport, taxi or private chauffeur?
- Choose public transport if you travel light, arrive during operating hours and your accommodation is near a direct station.
- Choose an official taxi for a straightforward city address when you are comfortable joining the regulated rank.
- Pre-book a private chauffeur for a named welcome, families, multiple bags, child seats, mobility needs, late-night travel, multi-stop itineraries or a vehicle category confirmed in advance.
A reservation is not automatically better merely because it is labelled “premium.” Ask for the company name, written price, waiting policy, cancellation terms, luggage capacity, vehicle class and the driver-contact process.
Families and Gulf travellers: details that prevent problems
Confirm the exact number and size of suitcases, stroller dimensions and child ages. A sedan does not become suitable because the booking form accepted six bags. Ask for child seats in advance and verify whether the hotel entrance can accommodate a larger van. During hot summer weeks, request water and climate control but keep medication, passports and valuables in hand luggage.
Visitors can also review our Paris tourist safety guide and plan a first itinerary with our Paris in three days guide.
Connecting CDG and Orly
The public-transport route typically combines RER B and Metro 14. It is practical for light luggage, but an airport-to-airport self-connection needs a wide buffer for baggage collection, border control, transfers and a second check-in. With children or several suitcases, a direct pre-booked vehicle is more comfortable. Never treat two separate tickets as a protected connection unless the airline explicitly confirms it.
Best airport for Disneyland Paris, Gare du Nord and La Défense
- Disneyland Paris: CDG often has the simplest combination of direct road transfers and selected coach/TGV options; check the day’s timetable.
- Gare du Nord: CDG has a direct RER B link. From Orly, Line 14 plus a connection may be efficient.
- La Défense: compare road traffic with rail connections at the exact arrival time; group luggage often changes the answer.
Avoid airport transfer scams
At CDG and Orly, follow official taxi signs and do not accept unsolicited rides from people approaching inside the terminal. For a pre-booked service, confirm the passenger name, company, telephone number, vehicle registration and meeting point before entering. Do not display your full booking reference publicly, and never hand a phone or bank card to an unknown helper.
OUISTARS Travel Tip
For families, executives and travel-industry partners, OUISTARS can arrange airport meet & greet, hotel transfers, hourly chauffeur service and full-day transport with an appropriately sized vehicle. The most useful advantage is planning: the airport, terminal, passenger count, luggage, child seats, waiting rules and destination are agreed before arrival. Prices depend on the airport, time, vehicle and itinerary, so request a written quotation rather than relying on a generic estimate.
Final 2026 checklist
- Check the airport code before buying: CDG, ORY, BVA or LBG.
- Confirm terminal and airline the day before travel.
- Allow time for EES, baggage and customs.
- Use official ticket channels and taxi ranks.
- Include Beauvais ground transport in the total fare comparison.
- Pre-book the correct vehicle size for families and luggage.
- Check strikes, engineering works and traffic on the travel day.
Orly is often the fastest to central Paris, while CDG offers the widest international network. The best choice depends on the flight, hotel location, luggage and total transfer time.
The Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket costs €14 at the full fare and covers CDG via RER B and Orly via Metro 14 or Orlyval under the official conditions.
The regulated flat fare is €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Use the official taxi rank.
The regulated flat fare is €45 to the Right Bank and €36 to the Left Bank.
No. It is about 85 kilometres from central Paris, so include the ground transfer in your budget and timing.
No. Its official launch is planned for 28 March 2027.
Official sources
- Paris je t’aime: airports, access and transfers
- Île-de-France Mobilités: Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket
- Service-Public: regulated Paris airport taxi fares
- Paris-Beauvais Airport: official Aérobus
- CDG Express: official opening information
Transport times are indicative. Traffic, strikes, engineering work and border queues can alter every journey. Verify live information before departure.
