Cheap Buses to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
By Roissybus, Les Cars Air France, or Noctilien Night Shuttle to CDG
Feb 6, 2009
Travelers between downtown Paris and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) have several ground transportation options. RER train line B goes directly to the airport but has limited space for luggage and involve numerous flights of stairs. Many travelers find using the bus an easier option. The Roissybus going to Opéra Garnier is the cheapest, while Les Cars Air France buses offer a comfortable option to Etoile, Port Maillot, Gare de Montparnasse, and Gare de Lyon. Noctilien buses run throughout the night. Private airport shuttles and taxis are sometimes sensible options too, especially for small groups, as no further transfers are required.
By Airport Shuttle or Taxi to Charles de Gaulle Airport
Private airport shuttles and taxis are generally the easiest way to get from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Although fairly expensive for individuals, small groups may find the convenience of a direct private shuttle worth the splurge. Traveling times depend on traffic conditions and the exact destination but can be as fast as 30 minutes between the airport and downtown Paris.
Taxi fares are according to the meter but are generally around €50 from Charles de Gaulle Airport to downtown Paris or to Orly Airport. Legitimate surcharges include 15% for journeys at night time (7pm to 7 am), on Sundays, and on national holidays. Luggage incurs additional charges as do four persons, or more, per cab.
Roissybus from Opéra to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
The Roissybus operated by Paris public transportation is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to travel from downtown Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Although buses can get stuck in traffic, traveling on the Roissybus does not involve the same amount of stairs (escalators and elevators often break down) that using the RER suburban train requires.
The Roissybus runs between Opéra Garnier and Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle from around 6 am to 11 pm. Buses run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 7 pm and thereafter every 20 minutes. The Roissybus stops in Rue Scribe across the road from the opera house and at Charles de Gaulle Airport at Terminal 1, several times at Terminal 2, and at Terminal 3.
The one-way fare for the Roissybus from Opera to Charles de Gaulle Airport is currently €8.60. Travel cards such as Paris Visite are valid if zones 1 to 5 are included in the pass.
Les Cars Air France from Paris and Orly to Charles de Gaulle Airport
Les Cars Air France are a very comfortable if a bit more expensive way to get to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Buses run generally every 30 minutes from around 6 am to 11 pm. Traveling times are usually just less than an hour.
Les Cars Air France use comfortable buses with ample luggage space on three different routes to Charles de Gaulle Airport:
- Line 2 runs from Place de l’Etoile (Arc de Triomphe) via Porte Maillot – one-way fare is €15 (€24 return).
- Line 3 connects Orly Airport (ORY) and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) – one-way fare is €19.
- Line 4 runs from Gare Montparnasse via Gare de Lyon – one-way fares are €16.50 (€27 return).
Tickets for Les Cars Air France can be bought from Air France, counters at the airport, or directly on the bus.
Noctilien Night Buses to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Three Noctilien buses run from just after midnight to 5:30 am from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport. (Return buses use the same numbering.)
- Bus N120 runs from the airport to Gare de Corbeil-Essonnes stopping en route at amongst others Gare du Nord, Gare de l’Est, Châtelet, Bastille, Gare de Lyon, Gare d’Austerlitz, and Terminal Orly Sud.
- Bus N121 runs from the airport to Gare de la Verrière following basically the same route as N120 up to Châtelet. Thereafter N121 stops amongst others at Saint-Michel, Saint-Germain-de-Près, Gare Montparnasse, and Porte de Versailles.
- Bus N140 runs from the airport to Gare de l’Est stopping en route amongst others at Gare du Nord.
Night buses require a special ticket called “t+” (priced according to zones traveled – about €7.50 to downtown Paris) or transportation cards such as Paris Visite with zones 1-5. Tickets purchased on the bus are slightly more expensive. A new ticket is required after any bus change.
- The best public transportation alternative to buses from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport is RER suburban train line B. It offers a direct service to Charles de Gaulle Airport with many transfer options en route from the vast Paris RER and metro subway system.
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