CDG Airport to Paris: Train, Taxi, Uber or Transfer?

What you should know before choosing your transportation

Before choosing how to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, there’s one thing you should know: CDG is huge.

Once you’ve cleared immigration and collected your luggage, it can easily take another 15 to 30 minutes to reach the train station, taxi rank, or pickup area, depending on which terminal you arrive at. If you’re taking the RER train, you may also need to use the free CDGVAL shuttle before you even reach the station.

That’s why the option with the shortest travel time isn’t always the quickest way to get from the airport to your hotel. Looking at the entire journey will help you choose the transportation option that’s right for you.

Don’t worry though. Charles de Gaulle Airport is well signposted in both French and English, so it’s surprisingly easy to find your way around. Whether you’re heading to the train station or the official taxi rank you’ll find clear signs pointing you in the right direction.

How to Get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris

There are several ways to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris, and the best one really depends on your budget, travel style, and how you want to start your trip.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, arriving after a long flight, or travelling with luggage, I almost always recommend booking a private airport transfer. It’s the easiest and most stress free option because someone is waiting for you when you arrive and takes you directly to your hotel.

If your priority is saving money, the RER B train is an excellent alternative. It’s fast, affordable, and reliable, but it does require a little more planning and navigating once you land.

Below, I’ll walk you through each option in detail so you can decide which one is the best fit for your trip.

#1 Private Airport Transfer (Best for a Stress Free Arrival)

→ Skip the stress. Reserve your private airport transfer here.

If this is your first time in Paris, I think a private airport transfer is the easiest way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your hotel. While it’s not the cheapest option, it’s the one I recommend to friends and family whenever they visit.

After a long flight, the last thing most people want is to figure out train tickets, navigate a huge airport with luggage, or decide whether they’re standing in the right taxi queue. With a private transfer, everything is arranged before you even leave home.

Why I Think It’s Worth It

Here are the biggest advantages of booking a private airport transfer:

• You don’t have to make any decisions after landing. Your driver tracks your flight, waits if you’re delayed, and meets you in the arrivals hall, so there’s nothing to organize once you arrive.
• You avoid navigating the airport with your luggage. Instead of finding the train station, taking the CDGVAL shuttle if needed, and carrying your bags through stations, you simply follow your driver to the car.
• You’ll be dropped off directly at your hotel. No train changes, no walking through unfamiliar streets with suitcases, and no wondering if you’ve arrived at the right place.
• You’ll know exactly what you’ll pay. The price is fixed when you book, so there are no surprises after your flight.
• You start your trip feeling relaxed. For many first time visitors, that’s worth paying a little more than taking public transportation.

If a smooth, hassle free arrival is important to you, it’s worth checking the current price. You might be surprised how little more it costs than a regular taxi. → Check prices with Welcome Pickups

My Experience with Welcome Pickups

After spending a week in New York with my son, we landed back at Charles de Gaulle after an overnight flight. Even though I live in Paris and know the airport well, I booked a Welcome Pickups transfer because I simply didn’t want to deal with public transportation after a sleepless night.

On my trip, the transfer cost only about €10 more than an official taxi. For that small price difference, having everything arranged before we landed was absolutely worth it.

About a week before departure, I received my driver’s details through the app. He tracked our flight, adjusted his arrival time when we were delayed, and was already waiting for us in the arrivals hall when we walked out.

After a sleepless overnight flight, not having to search for a taxi, buy train tickets, or figure out where to go made a huge difference. Within minutes, we were on our way home.

One thing I also appreciated was how straightforward the whole process was. Even if you don’t speak French, everything is organized through the app before you arrive, making communication easy from start to finish.

If this is your first trip to Paris and you simply want your vacation to get off to the easiest possible start, this is the option I’d choose every time. → Book your private transfer

→ Also read: How to use public transportation in Paris.

How to Reach the RER B Station

Charles de Gaulle Airport has two RER B train stations, one at Terminal 2 and another at Terminal 3 (Roissypôle). Depending on where you land, getting to the station is slightly different.

Arriving at Terminal 1

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs for the CDGVAL Airport Shuttle. This free automated shuttle connects all terminals and will take you to the Terminal 3/Roissypôle station, where you can catch the RER B into Paris.

Arriving at Terminal 2

You’re in luck. Terminal 2 has its own train station, so simply follow the signs for Gare SNCF or Paris par train after leaving baggage claim.

Arriving at Terminal 3

The Terminal 3/Roissypôle train station is only a short walk from the terminal. Just follow the signs for Paris par train.

Buying Your Ticket

RER B tickets are now only available in digital format. You can either load your ticket onto a Navigo Easy card, which you can purchase at the ticket counter or from a ticket machine, or buy and store your ticket on your smartphone using the IDF Mobilités  or Bonjour RATP App.

💡 Important: If you want to use your smartphone, you’ll need to wait until you’ve arrived in France. Unfortunately, it’s currently not possible to purchase tickets through the apps from abroad, so don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work before your trip.

If you’re travelling with family or friends, keep in mind that each person needs their own device or their own Navigo Easy card. You can’t use the same phone or card for multiple travellers.

The ticket machines are available in several languages, making the process straightforward even if you don’t speak French.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, simply tap your phone or Navigo Easy card at the ticket gates to enter the station.

Your ticket is also valid for onward travel on the Paris Metro or another RER line within the allowed time, provided you don’t leave the station.

My Tip

Before you travel, always check whether the RER B is running normally.

Engineering works and occasional strikes can affect the line, particularly in the evenings, on weekends, or during holidays. Sometimes part of the route is replaced by shuttle buses, which can significantly increase your travel time.

I always check the service the day before I fly. It’s become part of my routine and has saved me from changing my plans at the last minute. On several occasions I’ve decided to take a taxi or asked a friend to pick me up because I already knew the RER would be disrupted.

Most of the time, the train runs without any problems. Spending two minutes checking in advance simply gives you peace of mind and helps you avoid any surprises after you land.

Overall, I think the RER B is an excellent option if you’re travelling light and want to save money. If convenience is your priority, though, I’d still choose a private transfer, especially for a first visit to Paris after a long flight.

#3 Take an Official Taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris

If you haven’t booked a private transfer in advance, an official Paris taxi is the next easiest way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to your hotel. It’s a convenient option, especially if you’re travelling with luggage or arriving early in the morning or late at night when public transportation is less frequent.

One of the biggest advantages is that taxi fares from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris are fixed, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll pay before you even get in.

Taxi fares from Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Right Bank (Rive Droite): €56
• Left Bank (Rive Gauche): €65

The journey usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, but during rush hour it can take considerably longer.

I’d recommend taking a taxi if:

• You didn’t book a private transfer.
• You’re travelling with luggage.
• You’re staying in a hotel that isn’t close to an RER station.
• You want a simple, door to door journey without using public transportation.

You may want to choose another option if:

• You’re travelling during rush hour and are worried about traffic.
• You’re looking for the cheapest way to get into Paris.
• You prefer having everything arranged before you land.

How to Find an Official Taxi and Avoid Scams

One mistake many first time visitors make is accepting a ride from someone offering a taxi inside the arrivals hall. These are not official Paris taxis and should always be avoided.

Instead, simply follow the signs for Taxi until you reach the official taxi rank outside your terminal. Official Paris taxi drivers never approach passengers inside the airport, because this is actually against the French law. They wait in the designated taxi queue, where you’ll be directed to the next available car.

You can easily identify an official Paris taxi by its illuminated Taxi Parisien roof sign. If you’re ever unsure, airport staff can point you to the correct taxi rank.

💡 My Tip: If anyone approaches you inside the terminal asking if you need a taxi, politely say “No, thank you” and continue following the official taxi signs.

Learn more about popular scams in Paris and the mistakes visitors are doing!

Paying for a Taxi

Official Paris taxis are required to accept credit and debit cards, and in most cases, paying by card is quick and straightforward.

That said, every now and then a driver may claim that the card machine isn’t working at the end of the ride. While this doesn’t happen often, it can leave you in an awkward situation if you don’t have any cash with you.

💡 My Tip: I always carry a small amount of euros when taking a taxi, just in case. I’ve rarely needed it, but it’s reassuring to have as a backup.

If you’d rather not think about payment at all after your flight, a pre-booked private transfer can be a good alternative. Everything is paid in advance, so once you land, all you have to do is meet your driver and enjoy the ride to your hotel.

#4 Take an Uber or Bolt from Charles de Gaulle Airport

If you regularly use Uber at home, you’ll be pleased to know that Uber works perfectly well in Paris. Bolt is another popular ride-hailing app, and both are excellent options for getting around the city.

That said, I don’t usually recommend Uber or Bolt for getting from Charles de Gaulle Airport into Paris.

While many travellers have perfectly smooth experiences, I simply think there are easier options after a long flight.

Why I Don’t Usually Recommend Uber from CDG

While Uber and Bolt both work well in Paris, I don’t think they’re the best choice for getting from Charles de Gaulle Airport into the city.

Unlike official taxis, ride-hailing services operate under much stricter airport regulations. That often means walking to a designated pickup area, communicating with your driver through the app, and waiting for instructions on exactly where to meet.

After a long flight, I simply don’t think it’s worth the extra hassle, especially when official taxis are waiting just outside the terminal with fixed fares into Paris.

Another advantage of taking an official taxi is that taxis can use dedicated airport taxi lanes, while Uber and Bolt can’t. During busy periods, this can make the journey into Paris noticeably quicker by taxi.

My Opinion

Personally, I’d choose an official taxi over Uber when arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport. The price is often very similar, but the experience is much more straightforward. You simply join the official taxi queue, get into the next available car, and you’re on your way.

That doesn’t mean I don’t like Uber. Quite the opposite.

I regularly use Uber and Bolt when travelling around Paris, and I often book an Uber to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport. It’s only the journey from the airport into Paris where I think official taxis or a pre-booked private transfer are simply more convenient.

If you’re already comfortable using Uber and don’t mind walking to the pickup area or waiting a little longer, it’s still a perfectly valid option. But if you’re visiting Paris for the first time and want the smoothest possible arrival, I’d choose an official taxi or a private airport transfer instead.

💡 My Tip: If you decide to use a ride-hailing service, I recommend downloading Uber, Bolt, and, if you don’t mind using a local app, G7 before your trip. Compare prices before booking, as the difference can sometimes be surprisingly large. All three services regularly run promotions, so it’s not unusual for one app to be significantly cheaper than the others for exactly the same journey

Wrapping Up: What’s the Best Way to Get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris?

The best way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris really depends on the kind of trip you’re planning.

If you’re travelling on a budget and don’t mind using public transportation, the RER B train is excellent value. It’s fast, reliable, and by far the cheapest way to reach central Paris.

If this is your first trip to Paris, you’re arriving after a long flight, or you simply want the easiest possible start to your vacation, I’d book a private airport transfer. In my experience, having someone waiting for you at arrivals and taking you directly to your hotel is well worth the extra cost.

An official taxi is another great choice if you haven’t booked in advance. With fixed fares into Paris and taxi ranks outside every terminal, it’s a straightforward and reliable option.

Uber and Bolt also work well in Paris, but personally, I’d save them for getting around the city rather than for your journey from the airport.

Whichever option you choose, planning your transportation before you fly will make your arrival much smoother. Instead of standing in the airport wondering what to do next, you’ll be able to head straight to your hotel and start enjoying Paris from the moment you land.

Planning Your First Trip to Paris?

Now that you’ve figured out how to get from the airport to your hotel, it’s time to start planning the rest of your trip. I’ve lived in Paris for more than 20 years, and these are the guides I recommend reading next if you’re visiting the city for the first time.

📍 9 Paris Apps You Need to Download Before Traveling
Avoid expensive roaming charges, navigate the city with ease, and make the most of your time in Paris.

🚇 How to Get Around Paris
Learn how to use the Metro, buses, and trams with confidence, including which tickets to buy and how to avoid common mistakes.

🎟️ 7 Attractions to Book in Advance (and 5 You Don’t Need To)
Don’t waste money on unnecessary reservations, but make sure you don’t miss out on Paris’s most popular sights.

💶 Tipping in Paris
Find out when tipping is appreciated, when it’s unnecessary, and how much locals actually leave.

⚠️ Paris Scams to Avoid
Learn how to spot the most common tourist scams before they happen, so you can enjoy Paris with confidence.

Want more Paris recommendations? Here’s my free Google Map with 200+ spots 🗺️

À bientôt,

Lena

Parisienne since 2006 🇫🇷
Sharing Paris life, French culture, cafés, food & honest travel tips

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