Charles de Gaulle (CDG) sits about 25 km (16 miles) northeast of central Paris, and getting into the city is straightforward once you know your options — though a couple of things have changed recently that outdated guides still get wrong. The RER B train is the fast budget route, the official taxi flat fare is the easy door-to-door option, and the long-running Roissybus has now been retired. This guide compares every current way to get from CDG to central Paris in 2026, with directions and the latest fares.
We cover the RER B (the best value), official flat-fare taxis, rideshare and private transfers, and the few remaining bus options — and which is best for first-timers, budget travelers, families, and late arrivals. The same options work in reverse for your trip back to the airport. One key update: the Roissybus, the direct airport-to-Opéra coach, stopped running permanently in March 2026, so ignore guides that still recommend it.
All fares and journey times are approximate 2026 figures and change with operator pricing, so treat them as a planning guide and check the official sites for current details. For the wider airport experience — terminals, layovers, and lounges — see our Paris CDG airport guide, and use the trip cost calculator to budget your trip.
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Quick Answer: The Best Way From CDG
For solo and budget travelers, the RER B train is the best option — direct to central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel) in about 35 minutes for a flat €14, unaffected by traffic. For families, groups, or anyone with luggage, the official flat-fare taxi is the easiest: a fixed €56 to the Right Bank or €65 to the Left Bank, per car (up to four people), door-to-door. Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) and pre-booked private transfers are convenient alternatives, especially late at night.
The key trade-off: the RER B is cheapest and avoids traffic but means navigating the metro with luggage; the flat-fare taxi is fixed-price and door-to-door but pricier (though good value split among a group); and the Roissybus, once the easy middle option, no longer runs.
CDG Transport Options Compared
This table compares the main current ways to get from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris. Fares are approximate 2026 figures; check the official sites for current prices, as they change. Note the Roissybus is no longer in service.
| Option | Journey time | Approx. fare | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RER B train | ~35 min to central Paris | €14 (flat, per person) | Best value; solo & budget |
| Taxi (flat fare) | ~45–75 min (traffic) | €56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank (per car) | Families, groups, luggage |
| Rideshare (Uber/Bolt) | ~45–75 min (traffic) | Varies (often near taxi) | App users, door-to-door |
| Private transfer | ~45–75 min (traffic) | Fixed, varies | Pre-booked ease, late arrivals |
| Roissybus | — | Discontinued (March 2026) | No longer operating |
Key Takeaways
- The RER B train is the best value — direct to central Paris in ~35 minutes for a flat €14, avoiding traffic.
- Official taxis charge a fixed flat fare: €56 to the Right Bank, €65 to the Left Bank, per car for up to four people, luggage included.
- The Roissybus (CDG to Opéra) was permanently discontinued in March 2026 — ignore older guides that still list it.
- A non-stop CDG Express train is planned but not yet running (anticipated around 2027).
- From Terminals 1 and 3, take the free CDGVAL shuttle to the RER station; Terminal 2 has its own RER station.
- For groups of three or four with luggage, the flat-fare taxi often beats buying separate RER tickets.
The RER B Train — Best Value
The RER B is the regional train line linking CDG directly to central Paris and the best-value option for most independent travelers. It runs to Gare du Nord in about 35 minutes, continuing to Châtelet-Les Halles and Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame without changing trains, where you can transfer to the metro for your final destination. Trains run frequently (roughly every 6–15 minutes) from early morning until around 23:50, and the fare is a flat €14 on the dedicated airport ticket (the "Ticket Paris Région ↔ Aéroports"), valid 2026.
There are two stations at the airport: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV (for Terminal 2) and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 (for Terminals 1 and 3, reached via the free CDGVAL automated shuttle). Buy your ticket from the blue-and-white machines or counters at the station — note that some machines can be temperamental with foreign cards, so have a backup. The RER B avoids road traffic entirely, making it the most predictable option at peak times. See the official airport site, parisaeroport.fr, for current details.
Who it suits: solo and budget travelers, and anyone staying near a good RER or metro station who is traveling fairly light. Who should consider alternatives: travelers with heavy luggage, families, and late-night arrivals after the RER stops running.
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Official Flat-Fare Taxis — Easiest Door-to-Door
Paris taxis charge a regulated flat fare between CDG and the city, set by prefectural decree: €56 to anywhere on the Right Bank (Rive Droite) of the Seine and €65 to the Left Bank (Rive Gauche). The price is per car (up to four passengers), identical day and night, weekday or weekend, with no surcharge for luggage — and card payment is mandatory in all French taxis. The journey takes roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic, and you are taken door-to-door, which is a big advantage after a long flight.
Use only the official taxi ranks outside each terminal (avoid touts inside the terminal offering rides), and check whether your hotel is on the Right or Left Bank, as there is a €9 difference. For two or more travelers with luggage, the flat fare is often better value than separate RER tickets, and far less hassle. Make sure the receipt states the flat rate applied.
Who they suit: families, groups, travelers with luggage, and anyone wanting a fixed-price, door-to-door ride. Who should look elsewhere: solo budget travelers, for whom the RER B is far cheaper.
Rideshare, Private Transfers & Buses
Rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) operate at CDG from designated pickup points, often at fares close to the flat-fare taxi, though prices surge at busy times; they suit travelers who prefer app booking and cashless payment. Pre-booked private transfers offer a fixed price with meet-and-greet in arrivals and flight tracking — the most stress-free option for families, groups, or late-night arrivals, and worth comparing against the taxi for value.
On buses, the big change is that the Roissybus — the direct CDG-to-Opéra coach — was permanently retired in March 2026 after 34 years, so it is no longer an option despite still appearing in many guides. A non-stop CDG Express train to Gare de l'Est is planned but not yet operating (anticipated around 2027). Until then, the RER B is the rail option, supplemented by local buses for specific destinations and shared shuttle services (from around €18 per person). Use the trip cost calculator to weigh the choices.
Who they suit: rideshare for app users; private transfers for families, groups, and late arrivals wanting pre-booked ease. Who should look elsewhere: solo budget travelers heading central, for whom the RER B wins on price.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Direct to Gare du Nord, Châtelet, or Saint-Michel in ~35 minutes for a flat €14, avoiding traffic. Transfer to the metro for your final stop.
A fixed €56 (Right Bank) or €65 (Left Bank) per car for up to four, door-to-door — often better value than separate RER tickets for groups.
Cashless and convenient from the designated pickup points, at fares often near the taxi, though they surge at peak times.
Pre-booked, fixed-price, with meet-and-greet and flight tracking — the most stress-free option after a long flight.
The direct CDG-to-Opéra coach stopped permanently in March 2026. Use the RER B or a taxi instead; the CDG Express is not expected until around 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
For solo and budget travelers, the RER B train is best — direct to central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet, Saint-Michel) in about 35 minutes for a flat €14, avoiding traffic. For families, groups, or anyone with luggage, the official flat-fare taxi is easiest at a fixed €56 (Right Bank) or €65 (Left Bank) per car, door-to-door. Choose by your group size, luggage, and budget.