Which airport in Paris should you fly into? Strategies and tips for an easy landing

Planning a trip to Paris? Like many major cities, Paris is served by multiple commercial airports. To add to the confusion, you’ll often find contradictory information about the number of airports serving Paris.

Officially, there are four airports serving Paris, although only two—Charles de Gaulle and Orly—are considered “main” airports, especially when it comes to international travel. However, some low-cost airlines do use the other two airports—Paris-Beauvais and Châlons Vatry—occasionally, so don’t rule them out just yet.

If you’re having a hard time deciding which Paris airport to fly into, check out our list to learn more about each airport’s pros and cons.

Best for: Freedom of choice

Worst for: Wait times

Charles de Gaulle is the largest international airport in France and one of the busiest airports in Europe. With direct flights to more than 200 countries, Charles de Gaulle is the best airport to fly into if you’re looking for a wide variety of airlines and flight timings.

The CDGVAL light rail enables travel between Charles de Gaulle Airport’s three terminals. It’s a Skytrax 4-star airport, boasting a large range of shops, restaurants, facilities, and airport hotels. There’s also a huge shopping mall, Aéroville, located nearby.

Note: Terminal 1 is currently closed until further notice.

By train: Charles de Gaulle Airport has two train stations: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 is accessed via Terminals 1 and 3, while Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 is near Terminal 2. To get to the city, you can take an RER B train. This regional express service runs every 10 minutes around the clock, and stops at most major railway stations in Paris. A trip takes around 30 minutes and fares start from €11.40 ($12).

By bus: The RoissyBus is a direct bus between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris-Opéra. It has a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes, and the journey takes around an hour. A one-way ticket costs €13.70 ($14), and you can also use your Paris Visite travel card or Navigo pass. Public buses 350 and 351 are available as well.

By taxi: To guarantee a safe trip and a fair price, always take an official taxi, recognizable by the illuminated sign on the roof. A trip to the city can cost up to €60 ($63). For maximum convenience, consider pre-booking a private transfer. Unlimited free Wi-Fi is available at Charles de Gaulle Airport, making it easy to contact your driver.

By Disneyland Magical Shuttle: Staying in Disneyland Paris? The Magical Shuttle stops at more than 10 hotels, and costs €23 ($24) for adults and €10 ($11) for children below 12.

Best for: Minimal congestion

Worst for: Staying overnight

Orly is France’s busiest airport for domestic traffic, although it also serves international flights. Compared to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport is calmer and easier to navigate as its four terminals are interconnected. It’s also the closest airport to the city center (1st arrondissement), and is certified as a 4-star airport by Skytrax.

However, there are fewer eateries, amenities, and boutiques here, and while free Wi-Fi is available, it’s rather slow. The airport also doesn’t have any dedicated sleeping areas or rest zones, and is officially closed between 12.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. Overall, if you don’t mind fewer flight options, Orly Airport is a great pick for travelers looking to avoid crowds.

By train: The driverless light rail OrlyVal connects Orly Airport to Antony station. From there, take the RER B into the city. The total journey takes around 35 minutes, and costs upwards of €12.10 ($13).

By bus: The OrlyBus takes you to Place Denfert-Rochereau within 30 minutes, where you can take the RER or metro. It runs every 10 to 15 minutes, and costs €9.50 ($10). Navigo passes are accepted. Alternatively, take bus 183 to Pont de Rungis and switch to the RER C for €6.40 ($7). This route takes approximately 50 minutes.

By taxi: A trip to central Paris costs between €30 and €40 ($32–$42) and takes less than 40 minutes.

By Disneyland Magical Shuttle: The Magical Shuttle from Orly Airport only stops at five hotels within the resort, and costs the same as the trip from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Allow 45 minutes for this journey.

Best for: Budget flights

Worst for: Amenities

Also known as Beauvais-Tillé Airport, this small airport is mostly used by charter and low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air. As its name suggests, the airport is located near the city of Beauvais, in a commune known as Tillé. There are two terminals, serving flights to more than 60 destinations throughout Europe. Don’t expect to grab a bite here, as there are only a handful of eateries. Some travelers have also reported dealing with long lines at passport control.

By train: You’ll have to take a bus or taxi to get to Beauvais station, which is located more than 3 miles away from the airport. From there, you can take the TER train to Gare du Nord for €15.40 ($16).

By bus: Official airport shuttles run directly between Paris and Porte Maillot. A one-way trip costs €15.90 ($17) if you pre-book online, and shuttles leave every 25 minutes. You can expect to reach the city center in around 75 minutes.

By taxi: As Paris-Beauvais Airport is 53 miles away from central Paris, a taxi ride can cost up to €170 ($179). While private transfer services tend to be slightly cheaper, you’ll still need to cough up more than $100.

Best for: Exploring the Champagne region

Worst for: Convenience

Châlons Vatry Airport is a minor international airport located near the city of Châlons-en-Champagne. It’s considered a Paris airport, despite being 91 miles east of the capital. In fact, Châlons Vatry Airport is also frequently referred to as Paris-Vatry Airport, largely due to marketing reasons.

However, Paris-Vatry Airport currently only serves Ryanair flights from three destinations: Fez, Porto, and Marrakech. Note that the airport only has one bar and restaurant; no overnight stays are allowed, so you’ll have to look for a hotel nearby.

By train: Take a taxi to Châlons-en-Champagne station, and board a TGV train to Gare de l'Est, located in the 10th arrondissement. The trip will take two hours and cost up to €131 ($138).

By bus: Take a taxi to Nationale. From there, transfer to bus Lr-140 to Gare SNCF, where you’ll board another bus to Bercy Seine station. This 4.5-hour trip is the cheapest way to get to Paris, costing about €30 ($32).

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