How to Get to Paris

Paris has two main airports and several big railway stations. All of them connect to the city centre by train, so most visitors don't need a taxi at all.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

The main international airport, about 25 km north-east of the city. The RER B train runs from the airport to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel in roughly 35 to 50 minutes. It's the cheapest option and usually the fastest, although the trains can be crowded and it's not the most comfortable ride with big suitcases. The Roissybus goes to Opéra, and taxis charge a fixed fare to the Right Bank or the Left Bank, which is useful at night or with a family.

Orly (ORY)

Orly, to the south, handles a lot of European and domestic flights. Since June 2024, metro line 14 runs straight from the airport into the centre, reaching Châtelet in about 25 minutes with no change. Before that, Orly meant a shuttle train plus the RER, so it's a real improvement.

Beauvais

Some budget airlines fly to "Paris Beauvais", which is actually 85 km away. A shuttle bus takes about an hour and a quarter to Porte Maillot. Factor that in before you book the cheap ticket.

By train

The Eurostar from London arrives at Gare du Nord in about two hours and fifteen minutes. From Brussels it's under two hours, and direct trains also run from Amsterdam and several German cities. Arriving by train puts you in the city centre straight away, which is a big advantage over flying.

Getting around

The metro is fast, frequent and covers almost everything. Buy tickets in the RATP app or at machines in the stations, and keep your ticket until you leave the station. The last trains run at about 1:15am, or 2:15am on Friday and Saturday nights, so a late arrival may mean a taxi or a night bus.

Entry rules

France is in the Schengen Area, and many nationalities can visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Since April 2026 the EU's Entry/Exit System has been fully in place, which means your fingerprints and photo are taken at the border on your first entry, so allow a little extra time at passport control. The separate ETIAS travel authorisation has not launched yet. When it does, apply only on the official EU website, not the many lookalike sites. Always check the current rules for your own passport.