Paris's Two Airports, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) vs Orly (ORY): Where to Land and How to Get Into the City

Paris's two airports: start here

Search for flights to Paris and two airports can show up: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). Each has its own main route into the city, so where you land changes how your first day starts.

From CDG the standard option is the RER B; from Orly it is Metro Line 14. At CDG you can also take a flat-rate official taxi or the regular bus lines 350 and 351.

The Roissybus to Opéra stopped running on 1 March 2026, so double-check any plan built on older information. And before you book, check whether your ticket says CDG or ORY.

• Full Paris travel guide →
• Incheon → Paris (Charles de Gaulle) flights →

Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B, flat-rate taxis and buses

The RER B runs straight from the airport station to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel in the center. It takes ~35-50 min and costs about €14 on a dedicated airport fare. It is the standard budget option.

With heavy luggage, consider an official taxi from the rank. They charge a flat fare to Paris that differs for the Right Bank and Left Bank: about €56-65 flat, taking ~45-70 min. Avoid unlicensed drivers soliciting in the terminal.

Instead of the Roissybus, regular bus lines 350 (Gare de l'Est) and 351 (Nation) still reach CDG for about €2 with a Bus-Tram ticket. They are cheap, but journey times depend heavily on traffic, so check times officially.

Orly (ORY): Metro Line 14

Line 14 now reaches Orly, running without changes to Châtelet and Gare de Lyon in the center.

The ride takes ~25-35 min and costs about €14. From your arrival station, change to another metro line for your hotel.

If you are considering a taxi or bus instead of Line 14, check fares and routes from Orly with official sources.

Matching your arrival station to where you stay

The RER B stops at Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel, and Line 14 at Châtelet and Gare de Lyon. Both stop at Châtelet, and with 16 metro lines covering the city densely, one change from your arrival station reaches most areas.

Le Marais (3rd/4th) is right in the center and suits first-timers. Opéra / 9th has many metro lines, which makes it a very practical base. Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter (5th/6th) is on the Left Bank, so a taxi from CDG charges the Left Bank flat fare.

Montmartre (18th) has hilltop lanes, views and relatively affordable hotels, but take care around Pigalle late at night. Around Sacré-Cœur, ignore people trying to tie bracelets on you.

What to check when booking

First check whether your ticket says Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY). For routes and schedules, check with the airline.

Public transport costs about the same from both: about €14 on the RER B from CDG and about €14 on Line 14 from Orly. Depending on where you stay, the number of changes from your arrival station can differ, so compare the route to your hotel along with the airfare.

If you arrive early in the week and stay several days, look at the Navigo weekly pass. It is valid Monday to Sunday, includes airport trains and requires a photo. If you arrive at one airport and leave from the other, double-check the day before which airport your return flight uses.

At a glance

Choose by where you are staying, how much luggage you have and your budget. All times and fares are approximate.

• CDG, RER B: Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Saint-Michel; ~35-50 min; about €14 (dedicated airport fare); the standard budget option
• CDG, flat-rate taxi: official taxi rank; flat fare by Right or Left Bank; ~45-70 min; about €56-65
• CDG, bus lines 350 (Gare de l'Est) and 351 (Nation): about €2 with a Bus-Tram ticket; time varies with traffic (check official)
• ORY, Metro Line 14: Châtelet and Gare de Lyon without changes; ~25-35 min; about €14
• Roissybus (to Opéra): stopped running on 1 March 2026

Your first day: a few essentials

Paper (magnetic) tickets are no longer sold in Paris. Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or buy them on your phone in the official transit app. Cards are widely accepted.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is in operation, so non-EU travelers have their passport scanned and fingerprints and a facial image registered at the border. Allow extra time for passport control and check the details on the official EU website.

• At the airport, use only the official taxi rank and avoid unlicensed drivers soliciting in the terminal
• Pickpocketing is common on the metro and around the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre; keep bags in front
• Ignore petition signers and bracelet sellers
• Check the current status of ETIAS and entry requirements on the official EU website before you travel
• Greet staff with "Bonjour" when entering a shop or restaurant

• Full Paris travel guide →
• Paris in 5 days: a first-timer's itinerary →
• How to choose an airport transfer →

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