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.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 3 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time: 1 hr domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Paris: about 45 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport has 3 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. CDG is known for terminal confusion. Budget 2+ hours for any inter-terminal transfer.

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
1 hr
Domestic to international
1 hr 15 min
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
CDGVAL free APM; intra-T2 airside walkways between some sub-terminals
Airside connected
No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave CDG.

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 45 min from downtown Paris by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
RER B
Train
To Gare du Nord/Châtelet (€11.80). Watch for pickpockets.
 $12-$13 30-50 min
Roissybus
Bus
Nonstop to Opéra.
 $15-$17 60-90 min
Uber/Bolt
Rideshare
 $65-$120 45-90 min
Paris taxi flat fare
Taxi
Flat €56-65 to central Paris.
 $60-$75 45-90 min

Parking

CDG parking ranges from $20/day economy to $70/day short-term. Prices shown in approximate USD.

Short-term
$70/day
Long-term
$30/day
Economy
$20/day
Valet
$90/day

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 30 min plus re-screening on return.

Central Paris is 45 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 60 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 APM; intra-T2 airside walkways between some sub-terminals.

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 APM; intra-T2 airside walkways between some sub-terminals. CDG is known for terminal confusion. Budget 2+ hours for any inter-terminal transfer.

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 90 minutes plus re-screening. Central Paris is 45 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 RER B at $12-$13, taking 30-50 minutes. To Gare du Nord/Châtelet (€11.80). Watch for pickpockets.

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 parking rates: $70/day short-term, $30/day long-term, $20/day economy, $90/day valet. Prices shown in approximate USD.

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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers CDG is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods CDG has YotelAir (T2E-K) from $50/hr Shortest MCT CDG dom-to-dom: 1 hr · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

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 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport before flying.