CDG Airport Transfer to Paris: prices, journey time & options — the complete guide

You are landing at Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and looking for the best way to reach central Paris? This guide answers the three questions every traveller asks: how long the journey takes, how much each option costs, and which one best suits your needs.

The information is up to date for 2026 — including a recent change that many guides still overlook.

How long does it take to travel from CDG to Paris?

Charles-de-Gaulle Airport is approximately 25 to 30 kilometres north-east of central Paris. By road, journey time depends primarily on your arrival time:

• Early morning, evening or at weekends: allow 35 to 45 minutes to reach the Champs-Élysées or Opéra.
• During peak hours (7 am – 10 am and 5 pm – 8 pm on weekdays): the journey can take 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, with the A1 motorway and the Paris ring road usually being the main congestion points.
• Rive Gauche (Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Tour Eiffel, Quartier latin): allow an additional 10 to 15 minutes to cross Paris.

By rail, the RER B connects CDG to Châtelet-Les Halles in approximately 35 to 40 minutes, regardless of road traffic — although it does not take you directly to your hotel.

Comparing your transfer options

The RER B remains the most economical option: the "Paris Région ↔ Aéroports" ticket costs 14 €. It works well for a solo traveller with light luggage staying near an RER station. Its limitations are connections with luggage, crowded trains and the lack of a door-to-door service.

Bus: it is worth noting that the historic Roissybus service connecting CDG with Opéra was withdrawn in 2026. Existing bus connections now require changes and are mainly suited to travellers with highly flexible schedules.

Paris taxis operate regulated fixed fares from CDG: 56 € to the Rive Droite and 65 € to the Rive Gauche, with an additional 4 to 7 € booking fee if reserved in advance. It is a reliable option with little risk of unexpected fare changes, available from the official taxi rank after any queue.

Standard VTC services (booking apps) use variable pricing depending on demand: sometimes close to taxi fares, sometimes considerably higher during peak arrival periods. Meeting your driver in the designated pick-up area may require a few telephone exchanges.

A premium private chauffeur is a different kind of service altogether: your chauffeur waits for you in the arrivals area with a sign bearing your name, monitors your flight in real time and adjusts their arrival to your actual landing time. Your vehicle — a Mercedes saloon or van — is prepared for you, and the fare is fixed and agreed at the time of booking. It is the option for those who consider the arrival part of the journey itself: families with luggage, business travellers, guests of 5-star hotels, or anyone stepping off a long-haul flight and wanting everything that follows to feel effortless.

How much does a private chauffeur from CDG to Paris cost?

At Palatium Paris, the Charles-de-Gaulle → Paris transfer starts from 130 € in a Mercedes saloon. Your fixed fare is confirmed at the time of booking, with no surcharge for traffic or delays: whether your flight lands two hours late or the A1 is heavily congested, the agreed fare is the fare you pay.

That amount includes the details that make the difference on arrival:

• A personalised meet-and-greet in the arrivals area, with a name sign;
• Real-time flight monitoring — your chauffeur knows before you do if your aircraft is arriving early;
• The waiting time required for immigration, customs and baggage collection;
• Assistance with your luggage to the vehicle;
• A recent Mercedes vehicle, mineral water on board and a direct journey to your address.

For comparison, a pre-booked taxi to the Rive Gauche costs approximately 70 €: the difference compared with a complete private service is real, but it reflects a fundamentally different level of service — and becomes less significant when travelling as a couple or family, as the fare is per vehicle rather than per passenger.

Our practical advice

Frequently asked questions