Trains and Metro at Charles de Gaulle Intl. Airport

Getting a train at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

Are you arriving at Charles de Gaulle Airport and ready to experience the charm of Paris as soon as you land? Or maybe your final destination is some remote region in France or another European country? No worries! You can find the right Paris Airport train to suit your upcoming travel itinerary.

The on-site rail infrastructure offers two types of trains - RER, or the so-called "Paris by train" and TGV. The RER B line departs every 10-20 minutes from CDG and serves the French capital along with nearby suburbs. The maximum travel time between the start and end points is 1 hour 28 minutes, and about 35 minutes to the city center. Also, this route passes through certain metro stations (Gare du Nord, Port Royal, Denfert-Rochereau, etc.), allowing you to use the B-line to transfer to another route. So if you're visiting Paris, taking this option is an obvious decision, especially considering the affordable ticket price.

On the other hand, because it is integrated into the airport railway system, the TGV connects to more distant destinations in the country and beyond. Long-distance trains leave within the facility and deliver passengers to Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, and Nantes, and also feature high-speed routes to Brussels and even London 24 hours a day. If your vacation plans extend far beyond Paris, the TGV is your top-priority pick.

Railway station at Roissy Airport

Passengers can access the railway transfer at Paris Airport train station, originally called “Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV” which sits directly under Terminal 2, between the C/D and E/F sections. Operated by the SNCF (French state-owned railway company), it handles regional routes of the RER hybrid commuter rail system and also joins the TGV North, South, and West lines with a direct link to Thalys and Eurostar high-speed services.

Station platforms are available on Level 1 while an automated CDGVAL shuttle stops on Level 4 and provides connections to Terminals 1 and 3. Shuttle buses N1 and N2 operating on Level 5 transport travelers from different sections (2A to 2G) within T2 and nearby parking garages. Taxis are also available at the same level, or, alternatively, if you reach the station by personal car, you can opt for the PCD parking lot located a short walk away.

How to get to SNCF from Terminals

The airport's smartly designed infrastructure provides easy and instant access to the station from different terminals and their sub-sections. Explore all the directions in more detail:

• From T1. At Level 2 (where the shops and food court are), catch the automated CDGVAL shuttle and enjoy an 8-minute ride to Terminal 2 Railway Station. Next, follow the clearly visible blue overhead signage for “TGV Railway Station”.
• From T2A. At Level 5, board the N1 bus and disembark at the stop called "T2 Railway Station". Then, stick to the corresponding signs leading to the station.
• From T2C/2D/2E/2F. Use moving walkways that will quickly take you to the TGV Railway Station on Level 1.
• From T2G. The N2 bus route can transport you to entrance 4 of T2C or T2F, from where the station is easily accessible via an automated people mover.
• From T3. Head to the CDGVAL stop, board the light-rail shuttle, and take the 4-minute ride to the “T2 gare”. Then, proceed to the SNCF station, following the blue overhead signs along the way.

How to get from train station to airport terminals

After disembarking from the train, you can reach the desired terminal either on foot, by bus, or via the CDGVAL shuttle system, depending on your final destination:

• To T1. First, take the escalator or elevator to Level 4, and then catch the CDGVAL automated shuttle train for an 8-minute ride to T1.
• To T2A. The easiest way is to go up to Level 5 and board the bus running along the N1 route. Alternatively, take a 10-minute walk that involves these steps: go up to Level 4 and use the people mover leading to T2C, from where you can freely walk to T2A.
• To 2C/2D/2E/2F sub-sections. Take advantage of the elevator or escalator to reach the moving walkways on Level 4, and then set off to your desired location.
• To T2G. Catch the N2 shuttle that picks up passengers near entrance 2.10 of T2F and enjoy a short ride to the G sub-terminal.
• To T3. Take the free CDGVAL shuttle departing from Level 4 and disembark at the T3-Roissypôle stop, which is a 4-minute drive away.

RER B trains

If you are looking for a way to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris by train, use the RER regional transit system with its B-line connecting the airfield to the city. This hybrid railway service combines underground routes plus commuter rail leading to nearby suburbs.

The line starts at Aeroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station and ends at Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse located approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) away. The complete one-way route includes almost 40 stops, including Aulnay sous Bois, Le Bourget, Saint-Denis, Port Royal, Fontaine Michalon, and other well-known destinations, and takes about an hour and a half. Alternatively, you can use the RER B line to get to the nearby Orly Airport. In this case, get off at Anthony station and transfer to the ORLYVAL light rail shuttle.

Approximate travel time from CDG to the city center is 30 minutes - 25 minutes to Gare du Nord, 28 minutes to Châtelet-Les-Halles, and 35 minutes to Denfert-Rochereau. Trains depart from T2 TGV at intervals of 10-15 minutes, with the first route starting at 04:50 am and the last at 00:50 am.

RER B Train stops at CDG Airport

The B-line of the RER hybrid commuter system features two independent stops - at T2, where TGV intercity routes also depart, and near T3, at Roissypôle. Let's take a closer look at them.

"CDG 1" stop

Positionally, this stop lies about 400 meters (0.25 miles) north of Terminal 3, in the Roissypôle complex, which hosts a variety of restaurants, hotels, shops, and airline service offices. From T3, you can reach it in 10-15 minutes on foot via the pedestrian walkway. If starting from T1, you first should catch the CDGVAL shuttle and then take a 6-minute ride to the station. Whichever section T1 and T3 you are in, follow the blue “RER B” or “Paris by train” signs (written in English and French) to find the correct route.

"CDG 2 TGV" station

This station serves as the starting point for the B-line, a final stop for a train from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport, and also shares rails with the TGV high-speed network. You will find it on Level 1 of T2, between the C/D and E/F sections, just below the Sheraton Hotel premises. Passengers have several options to get to the platform, depending on where they are in CDG.

From T1/T3, an automated CDGVAL shuttle delivers vacationers to the station in 8/4 minutes, respectively. If you're coming from T2A/B, no transport options are needed other than your feet, as the station is a 10-minute walk away. Alternatively, you can take the N1 bus for an even easier experience.

Those who start from T2C/D/E/F will also enjoy the challenge of walking a short distance to the TGV rail hub. Finally, the T2G satellite building lies a little to the side, requiring you to board a free N2 shuttle to T2F first and then cover the remaining route on foot.

When planning a transfer, take into account the CDGVAL timetable - shuttles run every 4 minutes from 4:00 am to 12:00 am. Therefore, you must look for other methods of transportation if the period of your in-airport activity falls outside of these hours.

Ticket fares

The cost of a single ticket depends on the passenger's age: adults pay €11.80 ($11.40), children 4-9 are subject to an admission of €8 ($8), and younger kids can take the railway ride for free. Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris train tickets can be purchased in specialized kiosks and automatic machines within the SNCF Station. Please note that both TGV intercity and RER tickets are available in separate booths. To avoid confusion, refer to the “Billets Paris et Ile de France” sign on the desks selling RER tickets. These "Billets" also allow you to make metro transfers within 90 minutes, and you can use them for this purpose if you haven’t yet left the railway station.

An alternative method of payment for an RER trip is to acquire Navigo or Paris Visite travel passes. However, you will need to obtain one of these cards in advance.

TGV Intercity transportation from Charles de Gaulle

SNCF Station is also home to TGV high-speed trains which operate on the TGV North, TGV South, and TGV West lines, and transport passengers to more than 200 French destinations. The platforms are on Level 1 in Terminal 2, between sections T2C/D and T2E/F. In addition, direct rail connections to the Eurostar and Thalys networks allow the service to be expanded beyond the country's borders and cover major cities in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and other nations in Western Europe.

At CDG Airport, you can get to TGV Station by following the appropriate directions. Usually, they look like blue “Gare SNCF” or “Paris by train” overhead signs scattered around the airfield grounds. Intercity tickets are available within the SNCF Station, in automatic machines and specialized kiosks with the “Grandes Lignes” inscription.

Top destinations from Roissy Airport

Passengers often travel from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Disneyland by train, which is one of the most popular routes. The top domestic and international railway destinations from CDG include:

• Marne-la-Vallée Chessy (Disneyland), Paris - the trip takes 8 minutes, with about 23 departures per day.
• Gare du Nord, Paris - about 81 departures per day, with a travel time of 35 minutes.
• Strasbourg - 15 trains per day, one-way journey duration is 1 hour 50 minutes.
• Bordeaux - 23 departures per day, point-to-point travel time of about 3 hours 20 minutes.
• Lyon - 18 trains delivering passengers to their destination in 1 hour 57 minutes.
• London - 12 departures per day, one-way journey duration is 3 hours 21 minutes.
• Brussels - the route leaves 15 times a day, with an average trip duration of 1 hour 34 minutes.

Tips for taking a train at Charles de Gaulles Airport

Railway travel experience from/to CDG Airport can turn into a real challenge for beginners. Consider some expert tips to be prepared for possible surprises:

• Regional RER trains have a specific line (A, B, C, D, E) and a branch (indicated by a number) that they follow. Ultimately, this affects the route. For example, RER B5 forks at Aulnay-sous-Bois station, and its final stop is Mitry-Claye, which means that it doesn’t reach Roissy Airport on its way. At the same time, RER B3 has an identical route all the way to Aulnay-sous-Bois station but then (unlike B5) calls at both CDG 1 and CDG 2 TGV stations. To avoid confusion, pay attention to the light indication of the current route available at your station and on the train panels. You need to make sure that CDG 2 TGV or other desired station is included in the route of the train you are going to board.
• RER commuter trains are a frequent site of pickpocket activity. The most important precautions to take are (1) keep a close eye on your belongings, and (2) if possible, keep valuables and cash in your inside pockets.
• For frequent rail travel around the French capital, consider purchasing a Navigo or Paris Visite travel pass, which can save you a significant amount of money on transport and can be used on buses/metro routes as well.
• Take advantage of SNCF's collaboration with multiple airlines. You can buy a Train+Air or Air+Train combo ticket when making your railway or flight reservation. This strategy allows you to save money and also ensures that you will automatically get a seat on the next train/plane due to possible delays on the previous railway/air route.

FAQs about Charles de Gaulle railway transportation

Is there a Metro at Charles de Gaulle Airport?

Yes, the RER commuter system links CDG 1 and 2 TGV stations with the Parisian metro. Both transport networks share stations such as Châtelet les Halles, Denfert Rochereau, and Gare du Nord. In order to get to the metro station in CDG, look for the RER B or “Paris By Train” signs.

Can you take a train from Charles de Gaulle Airport?

Yes, you can take two types of rail transport from CDG Airport: RER regional and TGV intercity trains. The RER B line leads to Paris and surrounding suburbs, with connections to the urban metro network. On the other hand, the TGV operates to distant French destinations (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, etc.) and offers international routes to Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and England.

How much is the train from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris?

When traveling on RER B, the cost of a single CDG-to-Paris ticket is €11.80 ($11.40) for adults, teens, and children over 9, €8 ($8) for children 4-9, and free of charge for kids under 4.

Can you use the same ticket for RER and Metro?

Since the RER and Metro networks share certain stations, you can use an unlimited metro ticket to travel on both lines even without leaving the station. At the same time, this strategy allows you to go through one RER turnstile and therefore complete only a single transfer.