Skip to content

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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

ShareXFBPinRedditHN
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:3terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time:30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive:2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Paris: about 35 min one-way
  • Free WiFi:Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Map

Terminals & connections

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has 3terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA.CDG is known for terminal confusion and the terminals are spread out. A change between Terminals 1, 2, and 3 means a CDGVAL ride plus walking and a security re-screen, so budget generous time (2+ hours for a tight connection through different terminals).

Terminal 1

8 airlines: Lufthansa, SWISS International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, ANA All Nippon Airways, and more

Star Alliance terminal (circular 1970s design).

Terminal 2 (A-G sub-terminals)

12 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

4 airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling

Low-cost carriers.

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, airside 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
No
Check your connection time at CDG

Layover helper

Check whether your layover at CDG is tight, comfortable, or long enough to leave the airport. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

For a safe connection at , aim for

≥min

min airport floor min buffer

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

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at CDG is 45 minutes at peak and 15 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

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, YotelAir

Sleep pods

Available (from $50/hr)

YotelAir (T2E-K)

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 35 min from downtownParis 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.
$1630-50 min
Roissybus
Bus
Nonstop to Opéra.
$15-$1760-90 min
Uber/Bolt
Rideshare
$65-$12045-90 min
Paris taxi flat fare
Taxi
Flat €56-65 to central Paris.
$60-$7545-90 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 available
Valet
Not available

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 10 min plus re-screening on return.

Central Paris is about 35 min by RER B. 6+ hour layovers can reach Latin Quarter or Louvre. Schengen rules apply.

Overnight layover hotels

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

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at CDG?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from CDG, and 180 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at CDG can hit 45+ minutes, so add buffer.

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. CDG terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: CDGVAL free automated shuttle train links Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (and the parking lots); within Terminal 2, airside 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?

Budget 15 min for same-terminal transfers and 1 hr for different-terminal transfers at CDG via CDGVAL free automated shuttle train links Terminals 1, 2, and 3 (and the parking lots); within Terminal 2, airside 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 ride plus walking and a security re-screen, so budget generous time (2+ hours for a tight connection through different terminals).

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 70 minutes plus re-screening. Central Paris is about 35 min by RER B. 6+ hour layovers can reach Latin Quarter or Louvre. Schengen rules apply.

Does CDG have showers?

Yes, CDG has showers at Premium lounges, YotelAir.

Does CDG have sleep pods?

Yes. YotelAir (T2E-K) offers private sleep rooms starting around $50/hour. 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 Roissybus at $15-$17, taking 60-90 minutes. Nonstop to Opéra.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at CDG?

CDG does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Typical peak-hour wait is 45 minutes. 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: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air. 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 (T2E-K) from $50/hrShortest 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

Verified Jun 2026. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying.