Your comprehensive guide to airports in Paris

Paris, a vibrant capital renowned for its rich culture and numerous landmarks, is served by three airports: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), and Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA). This guide will help you navigate the best options for arriving in and exploring France and Europe, covering all three airports to assist you in planning your flights and trip effectively.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport

As the busiest airport in France and the third busiest in Europe, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport in Paris ranks among the top ten airports globally, serving as a major entry point for travelers from around the world.

CDG functions like a small city, offering a variety of services and amenities for arriving travelers or those with connecting flights in Paris. As the primary hub for Air France, CDG accommodates numerous major international airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, KLM, United Airlines, and more, alongside budget carriers like easyJet and Transavia.

How to reach Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Charles de Gaulle Airport is just an hour away from central Paris via the RER train and métro, or a 30- to 45-minute taxi ride when traffic allows. It features three spacious terminals linked by trains and shuttles.

Shopping and dining options at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

If you forgot to buy a gift for someone back home, fear not—shopping at CDG rivals the elegance of Rue Saint-Honoré. Prepare for impressive window displays at luxury boutiques, alongside unique offerings like L’Artisan Parfumeur.

Beyond popular takeaway outlets like Starbucks, Naked, YO! Sushi, and Eric Kayser Artisan Boulanger, travelers can enjoy dining at places such as the Japanese-inspired Kirei in Terminal 1 or the chic I Love Paris champagne bar, created by Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin, who is also behind the renowned Le Grand Véfour in Palais-Royal.

Activities available at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Since I often don't have lounge access (and the lounges can get crowded), I typically explore duty-free shops for last-minute gifts before treating myself to seafood and champagne at Caviar House & Prunier Seafood Bar.

Throughout the airport, you’ll discover free arcade gaming zones featuring classic ‘80s games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders, as well as the latest PS5 consoles. Additionally, in Departure Hall M of Terminal 2E, there’s a museum space hosting two annual exhibitions with works by artists such as Joan Miró and Marc Chagall.

Additional services at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

If you're facing a layover in Paris and wish to spend the night, there are over a dozen hotels just a free shuttle ride away from all three terminals, along with YotelAir located within Terminal 2E. Additionally, you can access the SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld lounges in terminals 1 and 2.

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)

Situated closer to the city center, Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) accommodates various major international airlines, as well as budget European and domestic carriers. While most travelers from the US prefer to arrive at CDG, you can fly directly to ORY with low-cost airline French Bee to Miami (MIA), Newark (EWR), or San Francisco (SFO), or to Newark with the all-business carrier La Compagnie.

Navigating to Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)

All four terminals at Orly are interconnected, so if traffic is heavy outside, I prefer to exit my taxi as soon as I reach the airport and walk directly to my terminal.

Shopping and dining options at Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)

Although smaller and more user-friendly than CDG, Orly still provides travelers with a range of services, including restaurants, cafés, and pâtisseries at the arrivals level, such as Paul and Ladurée Paris. After passing through security, you can find a variety of dining options, from the gourmet burger restaurant Vivanda, created by Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal, to the sleek Le Bar, an ideal spot for coffee, cocktails, or wine before your flight.

Paris Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA)

Most travelers from the US may not be familiar with Beauvais, the smallest of Paris's three airports, as it is located outside the city and primarily serves low-cost domestic and European flights.

However, don’t underestimate its small size—Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA) is now the tenth-busiest in France, with airlines operating flights to nearly 80 destinations across 29 countries, mainly in Europe, Morocco, and Amman, Jordan. It serves as a hub for low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Wizzair, easyJet, Laudamotion, HiSky, and Volotea, offering routes to cities like Porto (OPO), Barcelona (BCN), Sofia (SOF) in Bulgaria, and Zaragoza (ZAZ) in Spain.

Traveling to Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA)

Located about 50 miles northwest of Paris in the town of Tillé, this two-terminal airport is best accessed via a 75-minute non-stop shuttle from Porte Maillot in Paris (close to RER line C and métro line 1). This option is the most convenient and budget-friendly, unless you're planning to drive in France with a rental car.

From the nearby TER Beauvais train station, which links to Paris’s Gare du Nord (the journey takes 75 minutes, excluding the bus or taxi ride from Beauvais station to the airport), you can also connect to other cities in France, with Creil being the nearest town north of Paris.

Shopping and dining options at Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA)

In both departure lounges, Aelia offers a variety of duty-free items including alcohol, electronics, gourmet foods, sweets, perfumes, and cosmetics. Additionally, Terminal 2 features a Relay store, providing travel accessories, drinks, snacks, magazines, books, and souvenirs. Both terminals have small cafes and takeaway spots for sandwiches and salads, but the sole sit-down restaurant is Brasserie Le Faubourg, located in the public area of Terminal 2.

Comparing Orly and Charles de Gaulle Airports: Key differences between ORY and CDG

Although Orly is simpler to navigate and often less congested than the sprawling Charles de Gaulle, it offers a quicker journey into central Paris. CDG, however, boasts a greater variety of shopping and dining options. Generally less hectic (except during peak summer travel), Orly is the closest airport to Paris, making it a preferable option if you’re choosing between flights from CDG or have an early morning departure.

One drawback of ORY is that it lacks hotels within the terminals and doesn’t provide luggage storage lockers like CDG does (those can be found at Terminal 2 Gare TGV-RER, near the Sheraton hotel). However, both airports feature health care services and international vaccination centers for any urgent travel needs. You’ll also find numerous comfortable spots to relax while charging your devices or waiting to board your flight.

When shopping at either airport, you can enjoy duty-free prices (just show your boarding pass) and take advantage of discounts and special promotions throughout the year. If you've bought items in France and are leaving the EU, remember to reclaim the VAT at the airport by presenting your documents at the tax refund desk or kiosks (détaxe) in the departures terminal before passing through security.

Choosing the best Paris airport for your arrival

The most convenient airport for flights from the US is CDG, as it provides the most direct and connecting flight options. Orly only offers direct flights to a handful of US cities on low-cost carrier French Bee or all-business La Compagnie, which exclusively flies non-stop to Newark, NJ. Most flights from the US and major international cities outside Europe arrive at Charles de Gaulle, while Orly hosts numerous daily domestic and European flights.

The creation of this guide

Having spent over ten years as a travel journalist in France, I’ve flown in and out of Paris’s airports countless times, experiencing everything from luxurious five-star service on business-class flights to budget-friendly trips on low-cost carriers that often outprice local trains. Through this, I’ve discovered that arriving early, pre-paying for luggage, and booking fast-track services are invaluable, especially when I’m not flying with Sky Priority.

For those traveling to more international destinations, Dinogo’s expert Airport guide is here to assist you further.