Let’s face it, air travel has its ups and downs. The last thing you need is more stress after a long international flight. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to get you from the main airports surrounding Paris into the city.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Paris? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. Check out our guide to Paris for more planning resources, our top Paris tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Paris in a day.
You Guide for Getting to Paris from the Airports
In this article we’ll be covering how to get to Paris from the main airports of France. You’ve probably heard of Charles de Gaulle, but there are two other options as well. There are taxis, trains, and busses you can take. You just have to decide which is the most convenient for you.
If you’re flying into France, chances are you’ll be landing at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Located about 35 kilometers (or 22 miles) Northeast of Paris, this airport welcomes nearly 80 million passengers a year. This means it gets super hectic, especially during the high seasons.
Train
The train is our recommendation for getting to the city. It’s the cheapest and fastest option available. Once you’ve picked up your luggage, you’ll want to follow directions for RER B, or Réseau Express Régional.
There are station stops in Terminal 2 and 3 of the airport, and a free shuttle to the station if you land in Terminal 1.
Your ticket will cost about 10€ and you can buy it in the station. You’ll want to buy from the blue ticket machines labeled billeterie. And if you have any issues with the machines, there’s a ticket counter where you can pick up your ticket.
Trip Time: 50 minutes
Cost: 10.30€
You’ll want to get on an express train, if possible. This will get you to the city much faster, as you won’t be stopping at any of the stations enroute to the city. One last thing: it depends on the day you go, but you may not be able to find a seat. So keep in mind that you may have to stand.
Get off at the Gare du Nord stop and you’ll be in the center of Paris.
Bus
There are a few private agencies running busses from the airport to Paris, and usually take about 45 minutes to get to the city center. It’ll run you somewhere between 14 and 18 euro, depending on when you take it.
The public busses work just as well, but they’ll take you about 90 minutes, but they’re a cheaper option: usually around 6 euro cheaper.
You can also take a taxi from the airport to the city, though I wouldn’t recommend it. It can shave some time off your trip but can cost anywhere from 50-70 euros.
And if there’s traffic going into the city, that price is only going to increase. You might be able to find a better deal on Uber or Lyft, but don’t count on it.
Taking a taxi into the city is by far the most relaxing and direct choice. If you are a group of more than 4 expect to pay additional fees for your fare.
The Louvre is the largest art museum on Earth and the crowning jewel of Paris, which is why it’s on everyone’s bucket list. Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity! Join a passionate guide for a tour of the most famous artwork at the Louvre. Skip-the-line admissions included.
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Ultimate Palace of Versailles Tour from Paris
Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why stress over the logistics? Meet a local guide in central Paris who will purchase your train tickets and ensure you get off at the right stop. Then enjoy a guided tour of the palace and the unforgettable gardens. Skip-the-line admissions included to the palace and gardens.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out Paris Guide for more resources.
From The Orly Airport
The Orly Airport is located about 24 km (or 15 miles) from the city center. Before Charles de Gaulle, this was Paris’ main airport. It remains the busiest for domestic transport, so you’ll want to find your connection to the city as soon as possible.
Train
This is our recommended route. There are four terminals at the Orly Airport. No matter where you land, you’re going to want to look for signs for the Orlyval shuttle.
These run from every terminal in the airport. It will take you to the Antony RER station every five minutes. From there you can purchase a ticket, hop on the train and arrive at the Gare du Nord train station in about 45 minutes.
Trip Time: 45 to 60 minutes
Cost: 12.10€
Bus
Public bus 183 connects the Orly airport to the Paris city center. This will take you about an hour to get you to the city, and costs 2 euro. If you’re heading to a major hotel, it’s worth checking out the Benefit line, which serves many of them.
Trip Time: 1 hour
Cost: 2€
Taxi
Of course, you can also take a taxi from the airport. Again, we would not recommend it because it can get kind of expensive. But this is your trip, and we totally get it if you’re trying to avoid a crowded train. It shouldn’t take you longer than an hour to get to the city this way, but traffic is always a factor.
Cost: 32€ (left bank) 37€ (right bank)
Our Best Guided Tours of Paris
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Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris
Navigating transportation, dealing with tickets, and waiting in long lines can ruin your day at Versailles. Our half-day small group tour eliminates the hassle entirely. With roundtrip transport from Paris, skip-the-line access, and a friendly guide, you’ll effortlessly explore the palace, discover its highlights, and enjoy free time in the gardens. After your guided experience ends, you’re free to stay in the gardens, visit Trianon and take the train back to Paris at your convenience.
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Le Marais Paris Food Tour with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner
With local spots tucked away and confusing menus, most visitors end up overpaying at tourist-trap cafés instead of finding the authentic spots. Our local, friendly guide leads you through Le Marais to five real local businesses for eight tastings and four French drinks, including oysters, Boeuf Bourguignon, falafel, and sweet crêpes. Walk historic streets, hear food stories, and savor Paris like an insider.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out Paris Guide for more resources.
From Beauvais International Airport (BVA)
Unless you’re flying domestically or from another nearby European country, you’re likely not to pass through the Beauvais International Airport, located about 85 km (or 52 miles) northwest of Paris.
This makes it the farthest airport from Paris, which makes transportation really important.
Train
Especially if you’re traveling light, taking the train from Beauvais to Paris is a good move. Every 1-2 hours you can pick up one of these from the airport, but you’ll need to take a shuttle or a taxi from the airport to the Beauvais station. A taxi should cost about 15€ and the train will cost 17€.
It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from the airport to the train station. Then you can take the TER regional rail to the Gare du Nord station in central Paris.
Trip Time: 1h 15 mins
Cost: 32€
Bus
The shuttle service that runs from the Beauvais airport has no set times. Instead, the shuttles are scheduled in accordance with when the flights land. The ride takes you right into central Paris and is about an hour and fifteen minutes with a single ticket setting you back around 16 euros.
This is the most direct route into Paris, and definitely the one we recommend if you’re not in a hurry. Traffic getting into Paris can get pretty dicey, however, so make sure to look up traffic conditions on Google Maps before you take this option.
Trip Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Cost: 16€
Taxi
There’s always the option for taxis, especially if you’re carrying a lot of luggage and don’t want to stand with it one the train.
This option will take you about 60 to 90 minutes to take you into the city center, and is certainly the most direct route to your hotel.
The drawback is, of course, the price, which can range over 170 euros. So we don’t recommend this unless you really need it (and if you don’t mind the price!)
Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Cost: 170€+
So there you have it. With this info, you should be able to make your way easily from the major airports to the city center of Paris. When you get there, there’s tons to see. We definitely recommend our tour of the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower. Have fun in the City of Lights!
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Where To Stay in Paris
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Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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