How do you get from Charles de Gaulle to Paris without spending too much?
You’ve arrived in Paris! The cafés, the Eiffel Tower, the chic Parisians — well, where are they?
Certainly not at the Charles de Gaulle airport. Consistently one of the most complained about airports in the world, there is now a small glimmer of hope for its future. A project is underway to create the CDG Express, a train that will whisk you away from the airport and to Paris’s Gare de l’Est (pretty central) in about 20 minutes.
The catch? We’ll be waiting until 2027 — if we’re lucky.
In the meantime, what’s the best way to get into Paris? Opinions are split. For those with extra cash to burn, it’s a private car service or taxi. For the rest of us, well, we have other options.
Below are the best affordable options for getting to and from central Paris from Charles de Gaulle. We’re writing this with a typical traveler in mind, someone who’s carrying a standard piece of check-in luggage and a small backpack or bag, and who has an average tolerance for discomfort. Ready to hit the town? Here are your options:
Related: How not to blow your budget on a taxi from the airport
Riding the RER B to central Paris offers a no-frills welcome to the city. Photo: EuroCheapo
Option 1: RER B to Gare du Nord
Financially, the RER B train to Gare du Nord is your most economical option. At €11.40, it’s relatively quick and efficient if there are no strikes.
But the train is, well, unsavory at best. While I’ve never had any problems per se, the last trip to the airport was animated by two lovely men smoking some seriously stinky blunts and blasting angry rap music on their iPhones. Pickpockets and scam artists, mixed with crowded peak hour commutes and hauling your luggage up and down, make it one of the least welcoming entrances into Paris.
I take it, but I hate it.
Verdict: Thumbs down.
Option 2: Roissybus to Opera
For a bit more money (€13.70) the Roissybus will take you every 15-30 minutes between CDG and the Opera Metro station. You’ll have to worry about traffic and potentially crowds, but at least you’ll be avoiding lugging your bags around the transportation system. However, it can be stressful if you’re stuck in traffic.
Verdict: Thumbs down.
Option 3: Public Night Bus
For those who take weirdly early flights because they’re cheap, getting to Charles de Gaulle can be a headache. The Metro only starts around 5:30 am, so there’s little hope of making a 7 am flight.
You can take the night bus, called the Noctilien, from the Gare de l’Est station, which runs while the Metro is closed. Buses 140 and 143 leave for CDG about every 30 minutes or so, but battling the night crowds can be, well, a nightmare.
Verdict: Thumbs down.
All aboard the SuperShuttle! Photo: kennejima
Option 4: SuperShuttle
Sometimes you’ll be tempted to take a taxi for about €50-70, but that’s far from the budget route. If you don’t mind getting to the airport a bit early and getting to know your fellow passengers, opt for the SuperShuttle. The door-to-terminal shared van service costs €20-40, depending on the time of day, but it’s probably the most affordable option for a semi-private airport service.
Verdict: Thumbs up.
How do you get into Paris?
Which of these options do you use to get into Paris? Do you have a favorite — or an addition to our list? Share your budget-friendly tips for getting in from Charles de Gaulle in the comments below!
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This list should be updated. There is no easy bus anymore.
WE used the RERB line both to and from CDG this fall and did not find it unsavory at all! We travel light, one roll-along each and its a bit of a trek through Gare de Nord to get to the Metro, but not that bad and we are in our 70’s! We also discovered that your RER ticket allows you to transfer to the Metro. When you are leaving Paris, buy your RER ticket at the Metro station and it covers your Metro fare as well. Alos learned, but didn’t use, if yu have a Navigo weekly pass it covers the Roissy bus as welll, so in your last week in Paris it might pay to get one then.
Thanks for the tips Ann! Let us know if you have any more tips for Paris or beyond.
How would I get from the Bonne-Nouvelle area of Paris (close to metro lines 3,4,8,9 and RER A) to CDG airport on June 19? Bus or Metro? Would I need advance tickets?
Thanks for your help, P
Hi were of to Disney land in September is there a card you can buy that covers all poor travel lol for four days? Or is it cheaper day to day? Two Adults no kids
Great article!! I’ve been living in Paris for several months and the last two trips I discovered the Roissy bus- it is the way to go! The RER can be a bit confusing for visitors and unnerving trying to figure out the system.
Just to let you know, last time I used a new service available in Paris, they took my bags at home (https://www.eelway.com/en/paris/luggage-storage/airport/roissy-cdg), and gave them back to CDG, was really convenient.
http://www.easybus.com/en/521-paris-cdg/2228-paris-charles-de-gaulle-notice
We are announcing that after 30th September 2016 the easyBus service operating between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris Centre will cease to operate
Super Shuttle is great; I’ve used it several times in Paris, and they don’t charge me any more there than they do when I use it at home in California. Safe, clean and comfortable, and the drivers have been terrific. They pick me up at my hotel, so no hauling my belongings all across Paris to make a bus or a train.
Thanks for the useful info.
One thing to consider is how many will be travelling. That is, all of the options above, except for the taxi, would be cost-effective (depending on one’s comfort, i.e. RER B cheapest way, but commuting with other Parisian commuters, but if one wants less travel companions from the airport, the Air France and shuttles are the way to go, but would be more expensive by about 7+ euros) if one is or two are travelling.
But if more than two are travelling, coming to and from CDG, the taxi would be more cost-effective, in terms of comfort, vs. the other options; e.g. if 3 people are travelling and taking the RER B, that’s 30 euros, but for about 20 euros more they can take the taxi and get the car all for themselves. And if they were taking the shuttle or Air France bus (€20-40 and €17.50 per person respectively, multiply by 3 = €60-120 and €52.50 respectively), they’d be better off taking a taxi where they can get the ride all for themselves.
Just my two c?e?n?t?s? euros.
Brilliant!! Thank you!
you are right!
We’ve also used the the RER to go into Paris without any problem or incidents. We have also used super shuttle (blue van) for an early departure and also for weekday arrival. I would recommend both highly.
During my last trip, I took the Viator shuttle from CDG to my hotel and when departing, from my hotel to CDG. Door-to-door. Cost effective. At the moment, it’s about $21USD each way. Traffic can be a problem, but I take that into account when planning my schedule.
I prefer the RER B because of its speed and (usually) predictability. I’ve never had a problem with other passengers. A couple of things to be aware of: when leaving CDG, if you don’t have a chip and PIN credit card to use the automatic ticket dispensers, there may be a long line to buy a ticket. When leaving central Paris for CDG, not all RER B trains go to CDG as explained here: http://parisbytrain.com/rer-train-from-paris-to-roissy-charles-de-gaulle-cdg-airport/.
I take the Paris Blue Van Shuttle (not Super Shuttle) It is door to door and the cost is 25 Euros each way. There have been times when I was the only passenger.
I’ve been taking the Roissy bus for at least 25 years, no problem. Lately, I’ve found WeCab to be a wonderful option (especially from Orly)
I just ride my bike.
Hi
Great article, My wife and I took the Air France Bus, arriving in Orly and Departing at CDG. The trip in had some traffic not terrible. The ride to CDG was seamless, the airport was more confusing. We were staying in Montparnasse, so very convenient, worth the euro.
Hi William, Thanks for sharing your experience on the Air France Bus. We agree that CDG can be very confusing, but we’re glad you had a smooth ride there and you thought it was worth the cost.
My favorite 3 star hotel in the Marais, the Grand Hotel Malher, has an arrangement with a driver at the price of 40 Euros, for pick up at the hotel and dropped off at CDG. I took advantage of this in April 2015 and found the service to be excellent.
I used to take the RER, but hate it. I’ve had pickpockets target me nearly every time and once had a gang of teens rush me in an attempt to confuse me enough to get my bag or carry-on. It’s worth the extra $50 or so to just pay a taxi driver and be taken directly to my hotel or apartment rental. Especially when I arrive in the city after a 12 hour flight with little or no sleep and I am exhausted.
I have been riding the RER-B twice or three times a week for the last 4 months and not once have I experienced anyone smoking or playing loud music. I have found passengers to be not only well-behaved and polite, but also very considerate to those with disabilities, to older passengers, and to pregnant women. It feels safe to me too. Only once have I encountered drunks and that was after midnight. I will say that if you get on the train in the city between 4:30pm and 6:00pm, you probably won’t find a place to sit, let alone place for your luggage. But if you get on at the airport, it’s not a problem at any time as the train starts there and it is empty. Lastly, the fare you mentioned is from last year. It has been 10 euros since January 2015. That includes a surcharge for the airport. Normally a Zone 5 to Zone 1 ticket, if you buy a carnet, or 10-pack, works out to 4.10 per ride.
Hi Mona,
Thanks for the detailed feedback and the price update. We’ll make sure to change that right away. I take the RER when I go to Paris and find it very functional as well. We’re glad to hear you have had good experiences!
Same here. Rer B and no trouble.
In the early days I attempted to take taxis to and from the airport but they drive like crap and we even got into a hit and run situation. Stuck in traffic with the exhaust fumes is the worst and a taxi.
I would recommend the Rer B for sure.