Comparison guide · Airports
How to get to CDG airport from Paris : every option compared
RER B, Roissybus, shuttles, taxi, private chauffeur: I help you choose the Paris–Roissy-CDG trip that fits your flight time, luggage and party size. A decision guide, not a sales pitch.
The essentials in 30 seconds
The RER B is the cheapest way to Roissy-CDG but depends on connections and strikes; the Roissybus runs directly from Opéra but sits in traffic; shared shuttles pool the waiting. Taxis (official right-bank / left-bank flat fare) and private chauffeurs offer door-to-door: the pre-booked chauffeur adds flight tracking, no-surcharge waiting on delays, luggage help and a name-board welcome — the reassuring choice for very early or late flights, families, heavy bags or international arrivals.
The starting point
Where Roissy-CDG sits
and why the trip needs planning
Charles-de-Gaulle lies north-east of Paris, about twenty kilometres from the centre. The distance isn't the problem — the A1 motorway that clogs at peak times, and a sprawling airport spread over three terminals, are.
The free CDGVAL shuttle links the terminals; reliable, but it adds minutes, especially with luggage and a connection. The trip is about the margin you allow yourself, not just kilometres.
Time changes everything: a 5 a.m. departure and an 8 a.m. one are worlds apart. Ask yourself first: when do I leave, and how much delay can my flight tolerate?
Option 01
The RER B
the cheapest ride
The RER B is the most economical link to Roissy-CDG, and often the fastest on paper in heavy traffic, running on its own tracks straight to the terminal stations.
Its limits are real: a dense line prone to disruptions and strikes, usually needing a metro connection with stairs — awkward with two suitcases and a child.
Comfort and safety matter most very early or late, when trains thin out. Unbeatable on budget for a light solo traveller; demanding for a loaded family or a dawn flight.
Option 02
The Roissybus direct from Opéra
One ticket, one vehicle, from Opéra to the terminals: the Roissybus is simple, but it shares the road with everyone.
The Roissybus runs directly from the Opéra area to Roissy-CDG, no change, with a hold for bigger bags than the RER allows.
The catch: it drives on the road and motorway like any bus. At peak times the journey stretches and frequency thins out. Convenient near Opéra at off-peak; less so from the other side of Paris.
Option 04
The taxi and its official Paris–CDG flat fare
Paris taxis apply an official flat fare to Roissy-CDG, set by riverbank — one price for the right bank, another for the left. It shields you from a meter running in traffic.
Door-to-door with no booking required — but availability isn't guaranteed at busy times, and waits can grow at the worst moment.
Unlike a private chauffeur, a taxi doesn't track your flight, doesn't wait at a pre-agreed time and offers no name-board welcome. I cover this fully in my dedicated article.
Option 05
The private chauffeur
door-to-door that tracks your flight
The pre-booked private chauffeur works differently: everything is decided in advance — address, time, terminal, flight number. The car waits at your door and greets you on arrival, often with a name board.
Flight tracking changes everything: if your plane is late, the pick-up adjusts. Waiting on delays is part of the service, never a surprise fee — a documented hallmark of the Maison.
Add a premium vehicle, luggage help and a Mercedes V-Class van for families or groups. The fare is announced at booking, no meter.
The reassuring choice for very early or late flights, families with car seats, heavy bags, professional trips, or international guests who don't speak French — our daily work, notably with Japanese clients, in three languages: French, English and 日本語.
A good CDG transfer goes unnoticed: the car is there, the flight is tracked, the bags are handled. The rest is just travel.
Sanaâ — Rogsan Prestige, since 2012
At a glance
Summary table
which option for which need
A quick read, no price figures: each option has its sweet spot. Cross your priorities — budget, ease, luggage, timing.
| Option | Relative cost | Door-to-door | Luggage | Time reliability | Group / family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RER B | Lowest | No | Awkward | Variable (strikes) | Poor fit |
| Roissybus | Low | No | Decent hold | Traffic-sensitive | Fair |
| Shared shuttles | Moderate | Partial | Fine | Pooled waiting | Fair |
| Taxi (flat fare) | High | Yes | Good | Good, not pre-booked | Van on request |
| Private chauffeur | High | Yes | Handled | High (flight-tracked) | Ideal (van, minibus) |
Frequent questions
What people
often ask
The questions that come up most about the Paris–Roissy-CDG trip.
01
How long should I allow between Paris and CDG by car?
Off-peak and at night the A1 is quick; at rush hour the same trip can double. I plan in safety margin, not fixed duration: for an important flight, leave earlier.
02
What happens if my flight is delayed?
With a private chauffeur your flight is tracked and pick-up adjusts. Waiting on delays is part of the service, never a surprise fee.
03
Can I book for a very early departure?
Yes. The service runs 24/7. For a dawn flight, booking ahead is strongly advised — that's when public transport falls short.
04
Which terminal should I give?
The one on your ticket (1, 2A–2G, or 3). CDG is vast; the right point avoids CDGVAL detours. In doubt, send your flight number and I'll check.
05
Is the fare known in advance?
Yes. Unlike a taxi meter, a private chauffeur's fare is announced at booking — no surprise from traffic.
06
Can the driver welcome non-French-speaking travellers?
Yes, in French, English and Japanese. The name-board pick-up is especially valued by international visitors.
Go further
Leaving from Roissy and want a smooth door-to-door? Discover our transfert aéroport roissy cdg by private chauffeur, with flight tracking and personal welcome.
Also read
Book your transfer
A CDG transfer,
booked ahead with Sanaâ
One contact, fare announced before the ride, flight tracking and no-surcharge waiting. Describe your trip and receive a clear proposal. Available 24/7 and multilingual — French, English, 日本語.
Decision help
How to choose
for your situation
A few concrete cases say more than a long speech. Find the one closest to your trip.
Flight before 6 a.m.
Public transport is thin or not yet running. A car booked the day before guarantees on-time pick-up.
With children
Car seats, stroller, safety margin: a chauffeur avoids stairs and platform waits, and the van gives the family room.
Heavy luggage
A van's hold and loading help transform the trip versus a crowded RER.
In a group
Beyond four or five people, one van, minibus or coach (on quote) gathers everyone in a single vehicle.
International arrival
After a long flight, a name-board welcome and a driver who speaks your language simplify everything.
Budget first
Light solo traveller with time to spare: the RER B or Roissybus remain the most economical, honestly.