Paris Airports Guide: CDG vs Orly vs Beauvais (2026)

What you need to know about the airports near Paris from someone who has flown into Paris from all of them!

Traveling to Paris is a dream, but before you book, it helps to know which airport you'll be flying into and how you'll get to the city. Paris is served by three main airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), and Beauvais (BVA). Two smaller airports, Le Bourget and Vatry, serve business aviation and niche routes. The right choice depends on where you're coming from, where you're staying, and your budget.

How Many Airports Does Paris Have?

Paris is served by five airports in total, though travelers will primarily use three. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the largest, handling the majority of international and long-haul flights. Orly (ORY) is the second-busiest and closest to the city center. Beauvais (BVA) is farther out and serves low-cost European carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air. Le Bourget is now exclusively a business aviation and air show venue, and Vatry handles cargo and a small number of charter flights from the Champagne region, around 150 km east of Paris.

Which Paris Airport Is Right for You?

Before diving into the details, here's a quick use-case guide:

• Flying from the US, Canada, or long-haul destinations: CDG is almost always your arrival point. Most transatlantic and long-haul flights land here.
• Flying from within Europe: Check Orly and CDG. Orly is often cheaper and always more convenient for city-center access.
• Booking a budget carrier (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet): You may be routed to Beauvais. Factor in the 75–90 minute shuttle to the city.
• Staying in central or south Paris: Orly is unbeatable; Metro Line 14 gets you to the heart of the city in 25 minutes.
• Visiting Disneyland Paris: Fly into CDG. There's a direct TGV train to Disneyland departing from Terminal 2 in about 10 minutes.
• Very early or very late flight: CDG and Orly both have overnight taxi/Uber options. Beauvais does not run shuttles all night; check the schedule carefully.

Paris Airports at a Glance

Airport	Code	Distance	Best For	Fastest Transport	Approx. Cost
Charles de Gaulle	CDG	25 km NE	Int'l / US flights, Disneyland	RER B train (35–40 min)	€11–13 (train) €55–62 (taxi)
Orly	ORY	13 km S	European flights, first-timers	Metro Line 14 (25 min)	€14 (metro) €32–37 (taxi)
Beauvais	BVA	85 km N	Budget/low-cost only	Shuttle bus (75–90 min)	€18 (shuttle) €100–130 (taxi)

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Distance from Paris: 25 km northeast  |  IATA Code: CDG  |  Best for: International and long-haul flights

Charles de Gaulle, also known as Roissy, is France's largest airport and one of the busiest in Europe, alongside Frankfurt and London Heathrow. Located 25 km northeast of Paris, it handles over 70 million passengers a year and is the main hub for Air France, plus international carriers from every corner of the globe. If you're flying from the United States, Canada, Asia, or Australia, this is almost certainly where you'll land.

The airport has three main terminals. Terminal 2 is the largest, with sub-terminals (2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G) connected by the CDGVAL automated shuttle. Terminal 1 is the famous circular building, nicknamed ‘Le Camembert' for its shape, and Terminal 3 mainly serves charter flights. Clear signage makes navigation manageable even with luggage, though CDG is large enough that you should give yourself extra time.

Andi's tip: One of my favorite things about CDG is the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel, which sits right inside the terminal. I've stayed there on the night before returning to the US, especially after flight cancellations. The interior feels like a cruise ship, and the rooms on the runway side are endlessly entertaining. I have a full post about it!

How to Get from CDG to Paris

• RER B Train (recommended): The fastest public option. Trains run every 10–15 minutes from 5 am to midnight and reach Gare du Nord in about 35–40 minutes. Cost: €11–13. There's also a non-stop ‘fast train' from CDG to Gare du Nord. Note: Avoid peak rush hours if you're carrying heavy luggage, as it gets crowded.
• Roissybus: Direct coach from CDG to Paris Opéra. Takes about 50–60 minutes, depending on traffic, departing every 15–20 minutes. Cost: ~€13.70.
• Taxis (fixed rate): Official taxis have government-set flat fares from CDG: €55 to the Right Bank (north of the Seine) and €62 to the Left Bank (south of the Seine). Confirm the flat rate with your driver before departing. Look for taxis with an illuminated sign near the arrivals exit.
• Uber: Available and reliable, especially for very early morning or late-night arrivals when public transport isn't running. Expect higher fares than taxis during peak demand.
• Night buses: Lines N140 and N143 operate from all three terminals to Gare de l'Est overnight. Tickets can be purchased from the driver. Cost: ~€8.
• Disneyland Paris: Terminal 2 has a direct TGV connection to Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy (Disneyland) in approximately 10 minutes. This is the single most convenient route for Disney-bound travelers.

Fun Facts About CDG

• Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop transatlantic solo flight in 1927; he actually landed at Le Bourget, not CDG, but the spirit lives on in the area.
• Sir Alfred Mehran (known as ‘Mr. Nasseri') famously lived in CDG's Terminal 1 for 18 years after fleeing Iran in 1988. His story inspired the 2004 Tom Hanks film The Terminal.
• The original plans for CDG included an ‘Aerotrain,' a hover-train powered by turbofan engines like those on a Boeing 727. Prototypes were built, but the project was scrapped.

Orly Airport (ORY)

Distance from Paris: 13 km south  |  IATA Code: ORY  |  Best for: European flights, first-time visitors, city-center stays

Smaller, calmer, and closer to the city than CDG, Orly is the airport I'd choose every time if I have the option. At just 13 km south of central Paris, it handles around 33 million passengers a year and holds a 4-star Skytrax rating. It's the go-to airport for domestic French flights, many European routes, and select long-haul destinations including New York, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

The airport has two terminals, South (Sud) and West (Ouest), connected by a walkway. Navigation is far more intuitive than CDG. You'll find restaurants, shops, a library with leather couches and long tables in Terminal 4, rotating art galleries, and even an 80s-themed arcade with vintage video games.

How to Get from Orly to Paris

• Metro Line 14 (best option): This is the game-changer. Since opening its Orly extension, Metro Line 14 connects the airport directly to central Paris (Châtelet and beyond) in about 25 minutes. Trains run every 2–5 minutes. Cost: ~€14. Buy your ticket via the Île-de-France Mobilités app to skip the queues at the machines.
• OrlyBus: Direct shuttle to Place Denfert-Rochereau in the 14th arrondissement. Cost: €9.50. Also accepts Navigo travel passes.
• Tramway T7: Connects Orly to Villejuif-Louis Aragon on Metro Line 7. Cost: €1.90 (tramway) + €1.90 (metro). Good for southern Paris stays.
• Taxis (fixed rate): €37 to the Right Bank / €32 to the Left Bank, considerably cheaper than from CDG.
• Disneyland Paris: VEA shuttle operates directly to Disneyland. Adults: €23 / Children (3–11): €10.

Andi's tip: Line 14 is genuinely a joy. Clean, frequent, and you don't even need to exit the terminal to access it. If you're landing at Orly for the first time, follow the metro signs as soon as you clear customs, and you'll be at your hotel before you know it.

Fun Fact About Orly

During WWII, the German Army took control of Orly Airport, and the field suffered significant bomb damage. It was later rebuilt by the US Air Force before being returned to French civilian control.

Beauvais Airport (BVA) — The Budget Option

Distance from Paris: 85 km north  |  IATA Code: BVA  |  Best for: Budget travelers on Ryanair / Wizz Air only

Let's be honest: Beauvais is not a Paris airport. It's 85 km north of the city, in the town of Tillé, and calling it a ‘Paris' airport is generous marketing by the budget airlines that operate there (primarily Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet). That said, it can make sense for budget-conscious trans-European travelers, as long as you go in with clear expectations.

Facilities are basic but functional: small shops, food options, rental cars, and restrooms. Don't expect the amenities of CDG or Orly. The airport sits in the town of Beauvais, which has its own interesting history as a center of medieval tapestry-making and is worth a stop if you have time.

Is Beauvais Worth It?

Only if the fare savings are genuinely significant, I'd say at least €50–70 cheaper than an equivalent CDG or Orly flight, after accounting for the shuttle cost (€18 one-way) and extra travel time. Budget airlines are also known for fees on luggage, seat selection, and changes, so calculate the total cost before assuming Beauvais is the cheap option.

How to Get from Beauvais to Paris

• Official shuttle (only practical option): Non-stop bus from Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement. Journey time is 75–90 minutes, but it can be longer in traffic. Cost: €18 one-way / €29 return. Book in advance at the Beauvais Airport website; tickets are valid for one year. Crucially, match the shuttle schedule to your flight, as it doesn't always operate at night.
• Train + taxi: TER train from Gare du Nord to Beauvais town (about 1 hour, ~€15.40), then a taxi to cover the final 5 km to the airport. More flexible but more expensive overall.
• Taxi/Uber from Paris: Costs €100–130 and takes about 80 minutes each way. Not recommended unless you're splitting the fare with a group.

Andi's warning: Don't ask friends or family to drive you to or from Beauvais. It's 1 hour 20 minutes each way, plus tolls, and they'll never let you forget it. The shuttle is the way to go.

Other Paris-Area Airports

Le Bourget (LBG)

Located just 7 km from central Paris, Le Bourget is the oldest airport in the Île-de-France region, originally opened in 1919. Today, it no longer handles scheduled passenger flights; it serves exclusively as Europe's leading business aviation hub and is home to the famous biennial Paris Air Show. Charles Lindbergh landed here in 1927 after his legendary transatlantic crossing. If you're attending the Air Show, the Le Bourget Museum offers a free shuttle from the Le Bourget RER B station during the event.

Vatry (XCR)

Paris Vatry is located approximately 150 km east of Paris in the Champagne-Ardenne region, making it more of a Champagne gateway than a Paris airport. It handles cargo, private aviation, and occasional low-cost charter flights. The surrounding region is beautiful: Châlons-en-Champagne, Épernay, and Reims are all close by. If you somehow find yourself flying into Vatry, trains from Gare de l'Est to Châlons-en-Champagne are your best connection, followed by a taxi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paris Airports

Andi's Paris Airport Travel Tips

Flights

• Search for fares using Skyscanner or Expedia. Always check both CDG and Orly when flying from Europe; the price difference can be significant.
• From the US West Coast, I typically fly Air France or United into CDG. From the East Coast, Air France or Delta.
• If you travel frequently, a Priority Pass is worth considering for access to airport lounges, a place to charge your devices, and to grab a bite before your flight without paying airport prices.

Transport App Tip

Download the Île-de-France Mobilités app before you arrive. You can buy Metro and RER tickets directly on your phone, skip the ticket machine queues, and tap to pay. It works on Orly's Metro Line 14 and on CDG's RER B.

Accommodation Near the Airports

• If you have an early departure or a long layover at CDG, the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel is right inside the terminal, genuinely one of the better airport hotels I've stayed in. (I have a full review on the blog.) I have also stayed at the Paris Marriott Charles de Gaulle Airport Hotel and citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The Ibis Paris CDG Airport is a 5-minute covered walk to Terminal 3.
• For Orly, several hotels cluster just outside the terminal on early-flight days.

Travel Insurance

Paris can throw curveballs, strikes (grèves) are common, and can affect both airports and the RER. I always travel with insurance and recommend  SafetyWing, SquareMouth, or Travelex Insurance. If your flight is significantly delayed, AirHelp can assist with compensation claims under EU regulation EC 261/2004.

Bon voyage!

If you're visiting from the United States, CDG will be your main gateway into France. But if you're continuing on to other European cities afterward, Orly is often your best friend for onward connections. And if you're chasing a cheap Ryanair deal to Paris, just make sure the Beauvais shuttle fits your schedule!

How about you? Have you flown in or out of any of these airports? Do share!

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