Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has three terminals: Terminal 1, the large Terminal 2 (halls 2A to 2G) and Terminal 3, linked by the free CDGVAL driverless shuttle. Connections can involve long walks, a second security check and, for non-EU travellers entering the Schengen area, biometric registration under the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). A Paris CDG meet and greet service puts a greeter at your side from the aircraft or arrivals hall, so you move through the airport with someone who knows the route.
CDG is one of Europe’s busiest hubs and its layout is the main reason travellers get lost. Terminal 1 is the round concrete building with its famous tubes of escalators. Terminal 2 is a long chain of halls running from 2A to 2F, with 2G set apart and reached by bus. Terminal 3 is a simpler building near the Roissypôle business area, mainly used by charter and low-cost flights.
| Terminal | Typical airlines (check your booking) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Many Star Alliance members and a range of other international carriers | Reached from Terminal 2 by CDGVAL (landside) |
| 2A–2D | A mix of oneworld, Star Alliance, SkyTeam and other carriers, plus some low-cost airlines | Halls 2A/2C and 2B/2D sit in pairs; connected on foot |
| 2E | Air France long-haul and SkyTeam partners | Includes satellite gate areas linked by an airside shuttle |
| 2F | Air France and SkyTeam partners, many European flights | Walking distance from 2E |
| 2G | Regional Air France flights | Separate building reached by shuttle bus |
| Terminal 3 | Charter and low-cost airlines | Next to the CDG 1 RER station and CDGVAL |
Airlines do move between halls, so always check the terminal on your ticket, your airline’s app and the Paris Aéroport website on the day.
CDGVAL is a driverless train that runs landside (before security) between Terminal 1, the parking areas, Terminal 3–Roissypôle and the Terminal 2 station, which also serves the RER B and TGV high-speed trains. It is free and runs from early morning until late at night, with buses covering the hours it is closed. A separate airside line links Terminal 2E with its satellite gates and is only open to passengers with a boarding pass.
A CDG connection can be quick if you stay in the same hall, or surprisingly long if you change terminal. The key questions are: are you changing terminal, are you crossing a Schengen border, and are you on one ticket?
We do not quote a single minimum connection time for CDG, because it depends on your airline, terminals and whether you cross a Schengen border. Every airline publishes its own minimum connection time (MCT), and if your flights are on one ticket your airline has already built that into the itinerary. If you are booking separate tickets, ask your airline or travel agent what they recommend, and add extra margin for terminal changes, passport control and peak periods.
On a single ticket, checked bags are usually transferred to your onward flight. On separate tickets you will normally need to collect your bags, clear customs, re-check them and go through security again, which can turn a simple connection into a full arrival and departure. A transit meet and assist service is most useful in exactly this situation.
France is part of the Schengen area. If you arrive from outside Schengen (for example from the UK, the Gulf or North America), your first Schengen airport is where you clear passport control, even if Paris is only a connection point on your way to Rome or Amsterdam.
The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It applies to non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). Instead of a passport stamp, border officers register your travel document, a facial image and, for travellers aged 12 and over, fingerprints. Your entries and exits are then recorded electronically.
The EU’s separate ETIAS travel authorisation is not yet in operation at the time of writing. Check the official EU travel website before you fly, as dates can change.
Once you have collected your bags, there are three main ways into the city.
| Option | Cost at time of writing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| RER B train | €14 Paris Région–Aéroports ticket | Light luggage, central hotels near the line |
| Official taxi | Flat fare: €56 Right Bank, €65 Left Bank | Families, heavy bags, late arrivals |
| Pre-booked chauffeur | Quoted in advance | Business travellers, VIPs, groups, guaranteed pick-up |
The RER B leaves from stations at Terminal 2 (CDG 2 TGV) and at Terminal 1/Terminal 3 (CDG 1, reached by CDGVAL), and runs to Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and stations south. It is good value, but trains can be crowded and stations have stairs, so it is less comfortable with large cases.
Use only the official taxi ranks outside each terminal and ignore anyone offering a ride inside the arrivals hall. Journeys between CDG and central Paris have regulated flat fares, which at the time of writing are €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Ask the driver to confirm the flat fare before you set off. The Roissybus coach that many guides still mention was discontinued in 2026, so check current bus options with Île-de-France Mobilités if you prefer to travel by bus.
A pre-booked chauffeur waits for you with a name board and tracks your flight, which removes the taxi queue from your arrival. We arrange airport transfers in Paris and can combine them with a greeter inside the terminal.
Many travellers cope with CDG on their own. A meet and greet is worth considering when the stakes are higher than usual:
CDG fast track services can speed up parts of the journey, such as security lanes on departure, where the airport and your ticket class allow it. No private service can bypass passport control or the EES: every traveller must still see a border officer or use an automated gate. A good greeter can, however, guide you to the right lines, keep you moving between steps and handle your bags, which is often where the real time is saved.
We arrange meet and assist services at CDG through vetted local partners. Depending on the service you book, a greeter meets you at the aircraft door, gate or arrivals hall with a name board, helps you through the airport, and walks you to your connecting flight or your car. We confirm every booking in writing, and our operations desk is available 24/7, including on WhatsApp at +971 54 515 7619.
If your trip continues to Italy or the Netherlands, we can arrange the same kind of service at the other end, for example a Rome Fiumicino meet and greet or Amsterdam Schiphol meet and assist. Travel agents can book on behalf of clients through our B2B partner programme. To see what is available for your flight, visit our Paris CDG meet and greet page.
Use CDGVAL, the free driverless shuttle linking Terminal 1, Terminal 3 and the Terminal 2 station. It runs landside, so moving between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 usually means leaving the secure area and clearing security again. Within Terminal 2, halls 2A to 2F are connected by walkways and buses, while 2G is reached by a dedicated shuttle bus. Allow plenty of time for terminal changes.
There is no single figure for the whole airport. Each airline sets its own minimum connection time based on terminals and whether you cross a Schengen border. If both flights are on one ticket, your airline has already allowed for it. On separate tickets, ask your airline or agent, and leave a generous margin, especially for Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 connections and passport control.
It depends on your route. If you arrive from outside the Schengen area and connect to another Schengen country, you clear passport control in Paris. If you arrive from a Schengen country and fly outside Schengen, you pass exit checks in Paris. Connecting from one non-Schengen flight to another normally keeps you in the international transfer area, though security checks can still apply.
Yes. The EU Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Non-EU short-stay visitors have their passport details, a facial image and, from age 12, fingerprints recorded on their first entry, replacing passport stamps. A temporary option to relax checks during busy periods ended on 6 September 2026, so expect full checks at the time of writing (October 2026).
Official Paris taxis charge regulated flat fares between CDG and the city. At the time of writing (October 2026) the fare is €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Only take taxis from the official ranks outside the terminal, and confirm the flat fare with the driver before you leave. A pre-booked private transfer is an alternative if you want a guaranteed pick-up.
No. Every traveller must clear passport control and, where it applies, EES registration with French border police. A meet and greet service helps by guiding you through the right channels, assisting with luggage, and escorting you to your connection or car. Where available, fast track lanes can shorten security on departure, but border checks themselves cannot be bypassed.
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