Arriving in Paris 2026: Which Airport Saves You Time and €14
For fastest metro access into central Paris, Orly now wins for south and center-south hotels thanks to the Line 14 extension. For the widest international flight choice, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the clear pick. For budget carriers into Beauvais (BVA), expect a slower, shuttle-dependent transfer that rewards careful timing.
TL;DR:
- The Line 14 extension at Orly now provides a 25-minute metro connection to Châtelet, making Orly the fastest rail option to central Paris if the line runs normally.
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG) offers the widest international flight choices and train travel to the city in roughly 35 to 50 minutes, but its complex terminals can require prebooked transfers for efficiency.
- Beauvais relies on a shuttle bus taking about 1 hour 15 minutes to Porte Maillot, with little flexibility and higher risk of delays, especially during traffic or if missed.
- Public transit costs €14 with a special ticket valid for 2 hours, but separate tickets or cards are needed if already loaded with other fares, requiring advance purchase or separate card.
- Private transfers are a cost-effective alternative for late arrivals, large groups, or tight schedules, with fixed prices starting at €45 from Orly and €120 from Beauvais.
Table of Contents
- At-a-glance comparison of CDG, Orly and Beauvais
- Detailed transport options and realistic travel times from each airport to central Paris
- What public-transport tickets cost and important ticketing rules
- Practical decision rules: choose by hotel location, connections, luggage and arrival time
- Why Beauvais needs special planning
- Actionable arrival checklist to speed your airport-to-city leg
- A note on experience and what actually holds up
- When a private transfer makes the airport choice easier
- FAQ
- Sources
At-a-glance comparison of CDG, Orly and Beauvais
Each airport serves a different kind of trip, and the right one often depends on where you land rather than where you want to go.
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): typically between half an hour and under an hour to central Paris via RER B, the main hub for long-haul and most international carriers, and the busiest of the three, with sprawling terminals that take real time to navigate.
- Orly (ORY): about 25 minutes to Châtelet with the Line 14 metro extension, a compact layout, and a strong fit for travelers heading to south or center-south arrondissements.
- Beauvais (BVA): over an hour to Paris by shuttle before accounting for traffic, built around low-cost carriers, and the least forgiving of the three if your timing slips.
CDG’s terminal complexity (especially Terminal 2’s multiple halls) makes a prebooked transfer genuinely useful, since drivers track flights and wait at the right exit. Orly’s smaller footprint makes self-navigation easier even for first-time visitors. Beauvais has almost no flexibility built in: miss your shuttle slot and your options narrow fast.
Detailed transport options and realistic travel times from each airport to central Paris
CDG’s RER B train runs roughly every 10 to 15 minutes and reaches Gare du Nord or Châtelet in about 35 to 50 minutes, though a change at Châtelet or disruption on the line can stretch that further. It is the fastest fixed option for most downtown hotels, but platforms get crowded with luggage during peak hours.
Orly’s transport picture changed meaningfully after the southern extension of Line 14, which now runs a direct metro link from Aéroport d’Orly to Châtelet-les Halles in about 25 minutes. That makes Orly the quickest rail option to central Paris when the line runs normally. Orlyval (the automated shuttle to RER B at Antony) and the T7 tram to Villejuif remain useful alternatives if you are heading toward the southern suburbs rather than the city core.
Beauvais relies on a scheduled shuttle bus to Porte Maillot, timed around flight arrivals rather than running on a fixed public schedule, and the trip itself typically takes around 1 hour 15 minutes before traffic on the A16 is factored in.
Taxis and ride-hail apps work from all three airports, but rush-hour traffic (roughly 7 to 10 AM and 5 to 8 PM) can double travel times from CDG or Orly. Off-peak, a taxi often beats the train for door-to-door convenience, especially with luggage or a late arrival.
What public-transport tickets cost and important ticketing rules
Rail travel to CDG and Orly uses the Ticket Paris Région <> Aéroports, a flat fare of €14 at full price, valid for 2 hours from validation. This single ticket covers the RER B or the Line 14 ride, no matter which station you start or end at within the eligible network.
The ticketing rule that catches people out: a Ticket Paris Région cannot be loaded onto the same card as t+ tickets. If your Navigo card already holds t+ fares, you will need a separate Navigo Easy card or a phone-based ticket to avoid a gate rejection. Buying it ahead on your phone removes this risk entirely.
Beauvais shuttle fares are separate and sold alongside your flight or at the airport, and they run well below the cost of a prebooked private transfer, though with far less flexibility around delays or missed connections.
Practical decision rules: choose by hotel location, connections, luggage and arrival time
Matching the airport to your actual itinerary matters more than picking by name recognition.
- If your hotel sits in the north, east or central-right-bank areas, CDG’s RER B connections usually serve you better, especially with a wider choice of international routings.
- If you are staying center-south (Montparnasse, the 13th, 14th or 15th arrondissements), Orly’s direct Line 14 link to Châtelet is hard to beat for speed.
- Flying a low-cost carrier into Beauvais means budgeting extra time for the shuttle and, ideally, prebooking it in advance rather than hoping for a walk-up seat.
- Groups, travelers with mobility needs, or anyone landing very late or very early should lean toward a prebooked private transfer regardless of airport.
Pro Tip: Check your hotel’s nearest metro or RER station before booking flights. A 10-minute difference in connection time can mean an extra transfer with bags.
Why Beauvais needs special planning
Beauvais operates almost entirely around its shuttle to Porte Maillot, and that schedule is built to match flight arrivals rather than to run independently. Missing your booked slot is disruptive, since the next option may be a significant wait or a costly taxi for a route that stretches over an hour even without delays, according to RATP’s Ticket Paris Région guidance.
Traffic on the A16 motorway, and occasional transit strikes, can add unpredictable time on top of the base trip. Given the lack of integrated rail at Beauvais, prebooking a private transfer or building in a generous buffer before your next commitment is the safer approach.
Actionable arrival checklist to speed your airport-to-city leg
A few deliberate steps at the gate save real time later.
- Clear immigration and collect luggage before worrying about tickets or pickup.
- Buy your Ticket Paris Région on a phone or fresh Navigo Easy card if your existing Navigo holds t+ fares.
- Confirm your flight-based pickup time if you have booked a private driver, since most track arrivals automatically.
- Head to the correct RER B or Line 14 platform signage rather than following crowds, especially at CDG’s larger terminals.
- For Beauvais, locate your prebooked shuttle or transfer point immediately after baggage claim.
- If traveling with a group or heavy luggage, a private transfer avoids the ticket-gate issue entirely.
A note on experience and what actually holds up
Paris transport advice is easy to find and often outdated the moment a line schedule changes. The guidance here reflects current fare rules and the real effect of the Line 14 extension on travel times, not generic airport trivia. We have completed many trips across European cities, built around flight tracking, meet and greet pickups, and fixed pricing, which helps our drivers notice schedule shifts before most guides do. None of this changes the public-transit advice above: it applies whether you take the train or later decide a private transfer fits your trip better.
— Arthur
When a private transfer makes the airport choice easier
Public transit works well for most trips, but late landings, large groups or tight connections change the math. We run CDG Airport → Paris City Center from €65, Orly Airport → Paris City Center from €45, and Beauvais Airport → Paris City Center from €120, all at a fixed price agreed before you travel.
- Our service includes flight tracking to adjust to delays, meet and greet pickup to simplify arrivals, and a range of vehicle options.
Book your Paris airport transfer once your flight is confirmed.
FAQ
What is the difference between Paris airports?
CDG is the largest, handling mostly international and long-haul flights with the widest airline selection. Orly is smaller and more central-south focused, while Beauvais serves primarily low-cost carriers and sits furthest from the city center.
Which airport in Paris is better to fly into?
It depends on your hotel and flight options: CDG suits travelers prioritizing international connections, while Orly suits those staying center-south who want the fastest metro ride via Line 14. Beauvais works mainly when a low-cost fare outweighs the longer, shuttle-dependent transfer.
Which Paris airport is larger?
CDG is significantly larger, handling around 72 million passengers in full-year 2025 compared to roughly 35 million at Orly, according to Paris Aéroport traffic figures. Beauvais is considerably smaller than both and focused on budget carriers.
Which airport is better, Beauvais or Charles de Gaulle?
CDG offers far better transit integration with the RER B train reaching central Paris in roughly 35 to 50 minutes, while Beauvais depends on a scheduled shuttle that takes about 1 hour 15 minutes before traffic. CDG is the better choice unless a Beauvais-only low-cost fare makes the extra travel time worth it.
Sources
- Focus on the extension of Line 14 | Network modernisation
- December & Full-year 2025 traffic figures | Paris Aéroport