How to Get From CDG Airport to Paris: Private Transfer vs Train vs Taxi
Private transfer, RER B train, taxi and bus compared — with real 2026 prices, honest journey times, and a clear recommendation for each type of traveller.
Jul 14, 2026
Quick summary
Four ways to get from CDG airport to central Paris, compared with 2026 prices: the RER B train (€11.80, 35–50 minutes, station to station), the official taxi at a legally fixed rate (€56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank), a private KAR GO transfer (from €100 per vehicle in a Mercedes E-Class for up to 3 passengers, or €130 in a V-Class for up to 7 — door-to-door with flight tracking and a name sign), and the Roissybus (€16.50, Opera district only). Rule of thumb: solo travellers with light luggage take the RER B; groups of 3+, families and anyone with real luggage are better served by a private transfer or taxi; after midnight, pre-booked transfer or official taxi are the only realistic options.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest airport in France and one of the busiest in Europe. Landing there for the first time — or even the fifth time — can be disorienting. The airport has three terminal zones connected by a free shuttle train, two separate RER stations, and four different ways to reach central Paris.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We compare every option — private transfer, RER B train, taxi and bus — with real 2026 prices, honest journey times, and a clear recommendation for each type of traveller.
CDG Airport to Paris — All Options Compared
Here is the complete comparison at a glance:
| Option | Price (2026) | Journey time | Door-to-door? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RER B Train | €11.80/person | 35–50 min to Gare du Nord | ❌ Station to station | Solo travellers, budget, light luggage |
| Official Taxi (fixed rate) | €56 Right Bank · €65 Left Bank | 45–75 min (traffic) | ✅ Yes | Families, 2–3 people, late arrivals |
| Private Transfer (KAR GO) | From €100 (E-Class, up to 3) · from €130 (V-Class, up to 7) | 45–75 min (door-to-door) | ✅ Yes + name sign | Groups of 3+, families, business, VIPs |
| Roissybus | €16.50/person | 60–90 min (Opera district) | ❌ Opera stop only | Budget travellers near Opera/9th arr. |
| Local Bus 351 | €2 (Navigo) | 75–100 min | ❌ Nation hub only | Shoestring budget, light luggage only |
Rule of thumb: for 1–2 passengers travelling light, the RER B is the best value. For 3 or more passengers, or anyone with substantial luggage, a private transfer or taxi is comparable in price and significantly more comfortable.
Private Transfer — The Most Comfortable Option
A pre-booked private transfer from CDG is the least stressful way to reach Paris, particularly after a long-haul flight. Your driver tracks your flight in real time — if it lands early or late, your pickup adjusts automatically. You exit arrivals, find your name on a sign, and your luggage goes straight into the boot of a Mercedes.
What's included
- Flight tracking — driver adjusts automatically for delays, no extra charge
- 60 minutes of free waiting time after landing
- Direct drop-off at your hotel, apartment or train station
- Up to 7 passengers and 7 full-size suitcases in the Mercedes V-Class
- English-speaking, professional chauffeur
- Free WiFi and bottled water on board
- Fixed price — no surge pricing, no meter, no luggage surcharge
2026 prices from CDG
Two vehicle classes cover most needs: the Mercedes E-Class sedan for up to 3 passengers, and the Mercedes V-Class van for up to 7 passengers and 7 full-size suitcases.
| Destination | E-Class (up to 3 pax) | V-Class (up to 7 pax) |
|---|---|---|
| CDG → Central Paris | From €100 | From €130 |
| CDG → Disneyland Paris | From €90 | From €120 |
| CDG → Versailles | From €115 | From €150 |
| CDG → Orly Airport (inter-airport) | Fixed quote at booking | Fixed quote at booking |
For a family of 4, the per-person cost of a private V-Class transfer (€130 ÷ 4 = €32.50 per person) is close to the €23.60 per-person return cost of the RER B. Add luggage, a tired child, and two metro changes and the value comparison shifts further toward private.
RER B Train — Fastest for Solo Travellers
The RER B is the suburban train line connecting CDG directly to central Paris. It is fast, frequent, and the cheapest option for solo travellers or couples travelling light. The journey from the airport to Gare du Nord takes approximately 35 minutes; to Châtelet–Les Halles (the central metro interchange), approximately 45 minutes.
Key facts for 2026
- Price: €11.80 per adult single (€7.90 for children aged 4–10)
- Frequency: every 10–15 minutes daytime, reduced at night
- Operating hours: approximately 5:00 AM to midnight (check ratp.fr for current schedule)
- Journey time: 35 min to Gare du Nord, 45 min to Châtelet–Les Halles, 50 min to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame
- Tickets: buy at machines in the station (card payment accepted) or via the Île-de-France Mobilités app
Two stations at CDG — which one to use
CDG has two RER B stations. The station 'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1' serves Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. The station 'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV' serves Terminal 2. If you arrive at Terminal 1 or 3 and your hotel is near the Left Bank, you may need to take the free CDGVAL shuttle to the Terminal 2 station first to board — check before you go.
Key stops in Paris
| RER B stop | Paris district | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Gare du Nord | 10th arrondissement | Eurostar, metro lines 2/4/5 |
| Châtelet–Les Halles | 1st arrondissement | Central metro hub, all lines |
| Saint-Michel Notre-Dame | 5th/6th arrondissement | Left Bank, Latin Quarter |
| Denfert-Rochereau | 14th arrondissement | Montparnasse area, Orlyval |
The honest downside of the RER B
The RER B is efficient when it runs smoothly. When it does not — and disruptions are not uncommon — there is no alternative public transport that replicates it. The train is also crowded during rush hours and notoriously targeted by pickpockets on the CDG route. Travelling with large suitcases on the RER B means navigating stairs, turnstiles, and overcrowded carriages — manageable alone, genuinely difficult with children or elderly relatives.
Official Taxi — Best for Late Arrivals and Families
Paris taxis operate on a fixed-rate system between CDG and central Paris — a legal protection that has been in force since 2016. You pay the same price regardless of traffic.
| Route | Fixed fare (2026) | Luggage surcharge | Night/weekend supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDG → Paris Right Bank (north of Seine) | €56 | None | Included in fixed fare |
| CDG → Paris Left Bank (south of Seine) | €65 | None | Included in fixed fare |
Take taxis only from the official taxi ranks on the arrivals level — each terminal has a clearly marked taxi queue. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you inside the terminal building — these are unlicensed drivers who frequently overcharge tourists. Official Paris taxis have a lighted 'Taxi Parisien' sign on the roof.
Taxi vs private transfer — what's the difference?
A standard Paris taxi and a pre-booked private transfer cost similarly for 1–2 passengers. The differences: a private transfer includes flight tracking (the driver knows if you're delayed before you land), a guaranteed name sign in arrivals, a larger vehicle (Mercedes V-Class vs standard sedan), and a fixed, confirmed price before you travel. A taxi is metered to the airport at a fixed rate and requires queuing at the rank on arrival — which during peak hours can add 20–30 minutes.
Bus Options — Roissybus and Local Routes
Roissybus — Direct to the Opera District
The Roissybus runs directly from CDG to the Opéra Garnier in the 9th arrondissement, stopping at all three terminal zones. Price: €16.50 per adult. Journey time: 60–90 minutes, depending on traffic. Useful if your hotel is near the Opera or in the 1st, 2nd, 9th or 10th arrondissements and you want to avoid metro connections. Not recommended during rush hour when the bus can take over 90 minutes.
Local Bus 351 — Cheapest but Slowest
Bus 351 connects CDG to the Nation transport hub in the 12th arrondissement. With a Navigo card it costs €2; otherwise a standard zone ticket. Journey time: 75–100 minutes with numerous stops. Only practical for travellers with no luggage and unlimited time.
Night buses (Noctilien)
After approximately midnight, the RER B stops running. The Noctilien night bus network operates through the night, connecting CDG to Gare de l'Est, Gare du Nord, and central Paris. Journey time is 60–90 minutes. If your flight arrives after midnight and you have not pre-booked a transfer, this or an official taxi are your only options.
CDG to Specific Destinations — Disneyland, Versailles and Orly
CDG Airport to Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is 35 kilometres east of CDG — in the opposite direction from central Paris. By private transfer, the journey takes 35–45 minutes and costs from €90 per vehicle (Mercedes E-Class, up to 3 passengers; from €120 in a V-Class seating up to 7). By RER A (changing at Châtelet–Les Halles from RER B), the journey takes approximately 80–90 minutes and costs around €15 per adult — manageable without heavy luggage, long with children and suitcases. See our CDG to Disneyland Paris private transfer page.
CDG Airport to Versailles
Versailles is 50 kilometres southwest of CDG. There is no direct public transport — you would need the RER B to central Paris, then the RER C to Versailles, adding two hours of connections each way. By private transfer: 55–70 minutes door-to-door from CDG arrivals to the Palace gates. See our CDG Airport to Versailles private transfer page.
CDG to Orly Airport (inter-airport transfer)
If you have a connecting flight from Orly, the fastest option is a private transfer — approximately 45–60 minutes between the two airports, bypassing central Paris entirely. Public transport between CDG and Orly requires going via central Paris (RER B to Antony, then Orlyval) and takes approximately 1h15 minimum.
Arriving from CDG and planning day trips from Paris?
Key takeaways
- The RER B train is the cheapest option at €11.80 per adult (35–50 minutes to central Paris), but it is station-to-station only, crowded at rush hour, and stops running around midnight.
- Official Paris taxis charge a legally fixed rate from CDG — €56 to the Right Bank, €65 to the Left Bank — 24/7 with no luggage surcharge and no night supplement. Only use the official taxi ranks, never drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
- A private KAR GO transfer is from €100 per vehicle (Mercedes E-Class, up to 3 passengers) or €130 (V-Class, up to 7) — fixed price with flight tracking, a name sign in arrivals and 60 minutes of free waiting.
- For a family of 4, a V-Class private transfer works out around €32.50 per person — close to the €23.60 per-person return cost of the RER B, without stairs, turnstiles or metro changes.
- CDG has two RER B stations: 'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV' for Terminal 2 and 'Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 1' for Terminals 1 and 3, connected by the free CDGVAL shuttle.
- After midnight the RER B stops running — a pre-booked private transfer, an official taxi or the slow Noctilien night bus are the only ways into Paris.
