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CDG · Paris, Île-de-France, France · International Hub

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 3 terminals
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: Follow your airline's check-in deadline
  • To Paris: about 40 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has 3 terminals. Transfer system: CDGVAL free automated shuttle train links Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (and the parking lots); within Terminal 2, walkways connect some sub-terminals while others (notably 2G) need a separate shuttle bus. A terminal change is a full door-to-door trip (train ride plus walking and waiting), not just the short train segment. CDG is known for terminal confusion and the terminals are spread out. A change between Terminals 1, 2, and 3 means a CDGVAL or connection-shuttle ride plus walking, and Paris Aeroport does not publish whether a connecting passenger clears security again, so budget generous time (2+ hours for a tight connection through different terminals).

Terminal 1

10 airlines: Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, and more

Star Alliance carriers plus Qatar Airways (oneworld), Saudia (SkyTeam) and Eurowings; circular 1970s design.

Terminal 2 (A-G sub-terminals)

14 airlines: Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and more

Air France hub; sub-terminals 2A-G.

Terminal 3

2 airlines: Vueling, Pegasus Airlines

Low-cost terminal.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
CDGVAL free automated shuttle train links Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (and the parking lots); within Terminal 2, walkways connect some sub-terminals while others (notably 2G) need a separate shuttle bus. A terminal change is a full door-to-door trip (train ride plus walking and waiting), not just the short train segment
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at CDG

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at CDG: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at CDG

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Flying Air France both ways?Air France is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Air France?
ConnectionAir FranceAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic40'30'+10'
Domestic → International60'60'0
International → Domestic60'90'-30'
International → International60'90'-30'

Air France's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about CDG? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at CDG vary by time of day and checkpoint. We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by CDG, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Not available

Schengen e-gates; non-Schengen can face long peak queues.

Lounges

2 notable lounges at CDG, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Air France La Première Lounge

Terminal 2E Hall M

Air France / SkyTeam

Access: La Première ticket

Amenities: Private dining, Spa, Showers

Star Alliance Lounge

Terminal 1

Star Alliance

Access: Star Gold, premium cabins

Amenities: Showers, Buffet

Amenities

7 of 7 core amenities available at CDG: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges

Sleep pods

Available

YOTELAIR (Terminal 2E, airside above Gate L)

WiFi

Free (good)

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Multi-faith prayer rooms

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Terminal 2E: I Love Paris by Guy Martin, Ladurée

Ground transport to Paris

CDG is about 40 min from downtown Paris by the fastest transit option.

OptionCostTime
RER B
Train
To Gare du Nord/Chatelet. EUR 14 Paris Region <> Airports Ticket (digital, all zones; rate applicable as of 1 Jan 2026, replaced the old CDG Airport Ticket). Watch for pickpockets.
$1625-40 min
Uber/Bolt
Rideshare
VariesVaries
Paris taxi flat fare
Taxi
Flat €56 to the Right Bank or €65 to the Left Bank of central Paris.
$66-$7635-60 min

Parking

CDG does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; on-airport parking is priced dynamically by date and lot. Paris-CDG parking is reservation-based via extime.com, from about EUR 11/day when booked online (up to ~50% cheaper than drive-up); there is no fixed flat daily rate. Lots: P1 and P1 Premium are closest to the terminals; PR Eco and PX Eco are the cheaper economy options.

Short-term
Varies
Long-term
Varies
Economy
Not published
Valet
Not published

Can I leave CDG during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside CDG. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Paris. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 20 min plus re-screening on return.

RER B reaches central Paris in 25-40 min (Gare du Nord to Châtelet). 6+ hour layovers can reach the Latin Quarter or the Louvre. Schengen rules apply.

Overnight layover hotels

  • citizenM Paris CDG
    On-airport, CDGVAL stop
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at CDG?

We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at CDG?

CDG requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: CDGVAL free automated shuttle train links Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (and the parking lots); within Terminal 2, walkways connect some sub-terminals while others (notably 2G) need a separate shuttle bus. A terminal change is a full door-to-door trip (train ride plus walking and waiting), not just the short train segment.

How long does it take to get between terminals at CDG?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for CDG, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave CDG during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside CDG. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 80 minutes plus re-screening. RER B reaches central Paris in 25-40 min (Gare du Nord to Châtelet). 6+ hour layovers can reach the Latin Quarter or the Louvre. Schengen rules apply.

Does CDG have showers?

Yes, CDG has showers at Premium lounges.

Does CDG have sleep pods?

Yes. YOTELAIR (Terminal 2E, airside above Gate L) offers private sleep rooms. Bookable sleep cabins.

Is WiFi free at CDG?

Yes. CDG offers free WiFi throughout the airport.

What is the cheapest way to get from CDG to Paris?

The cheapest option is typically RER B at $16, taking 25-40 minutes. To Gare du Nord/Chatelet. EUR 14 Paris Region <> Airports Ticket (digital, all zones; rate applicable as of 1 Jan 2026, replaced the old CDG Airport Ticket). Watch for pickpockets.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at CDG?

CDG does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. Schengen e-gates; non-Schengen can face long peak queues.

Where should I eat at CDG during a layover?

Notable dining at CDG includes I Love Paris by Guy Martin (Terminal 2E), Ladurée (Terminal 2E).

How much does parking cost at CDG?

CDG does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; rates are set dynamically by date and lot. Paris-CDG parking is reservation-based via extime.com, from about EUR 11/day when booked online (up to ~50% cheaper than drive-up); there is no fixed flat daily rate. Lots: P1 and P1 Premium are closest to the terminals; PR Eco and PX Eco are the cheaper economy options.

Is there a hotel at CDG for overnight layovers?

Yes. citizenM Paris CDG is on-airport (On-airport, CDGVAL stop) in the $$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at CDG?

CDG has 3 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines; Terminal 2 (A-G sub-terminals): Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Delta Air Lines; Terminal 3: Vueling, Pegasus Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at CDG?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at CDG?

Yes. Multi-faith prayer rooms.

Compare CDG to other airports

See how CDG ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversCDG is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsCDG has YOTELAIR (Terminal 2E, airside above Gate L)Shortest MCTCDG dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on Paris and CDG

Go deeper on connecting through CDG and on visiting Paris.

Airlines operating at CDG

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of CDG.

Pack for your Paris trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by CDG.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport, parking and sleep pods verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.