Charles de Gaulle Airport is the second busiest in Europe and the beating heart of Air France's global network. It is also, for the uninitiated, one of the more disorienting major airports in the world. The terminals do not follow a simple linear logic: Terminal 1 is a circular 1970s structure designed before modern airline operations were imagined, Terminal 2 is a vast complex split into six sub-terminals labeled 2A through 2G, and Terminal 3 handles budget and charter operations entirely separately. Between them, a free automated shuttle called the CDGVAL connects the major areas. Understanding the geography before you arrive changes the experience completely. This guide gives you that understanding, along with everything else you need for a smooth passage through CDG in 2026.

Terminal Layout: Three Areas, One Confusing Airport

Terminal 1 is the original CDG building, a circular structure with a distinctive 1970s brutalist architecture. Satellites extend from the central building via underground tunnels, and the overall layout is considerably more confusing than any terminal built in the last 20 years. T1 handles international carriers that are not part of the SkyTeam alliance, including United Airlines (on some routes), Lufthansa (on routes not routed through T2's SkyTeam cluster), and various other long-haul carriers. If your airline is neither Air France nor SkyTeam, there is a reasonable chance you are in T1.

Terminal 2 is where the bulk of CDG's capacity lives, and it is enormous. The sub-terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are the older sections, arranged in a horseshoe pattern with the TGV train station and the RER B rail link at their center. Terminal 2E is the largest and most modern section, home to most Air France long-haul departures and some of the best airside facilities at CDG. Terminal 2F handles medium-haul and some short-haul operations. Terminal 2G is a separate building serving regional and some low-cost Air France subsidiary routes, and requires a bus transfer from the other T2 sections. The Satellite S4 extension is attached to 2E via a dedicated automated people mover and adds gate capacity for Air France's widebody long-haul operations.

Terminal 3 is entirely separate and handles low-cost carriers and charter flights. easyJet and other budget operators use T3. The facilities are considerably more basic than T1 or T2, and the terminal is not connected airside to either of the others. If you are arriving on a budget carrier into CDG and connecting to a long-haul Air France flight, you will need to transfer between T3 and T2 via the CDGVAL shuttle and re-check your baggage.

The CDGVAL automated shuttle runs continuously between T1, T2, the two on-site hotels (Sheraton and Ibis), and the long-stay car parks. Journeys between T1 and T2 take around 8 minutes. It is free, runs around the clock, and is the most reliable way to move between terminal areas. Do not rely on walking between terminals; the distances are considerable and no airside connection exists between T1 and T2.

Getting into Paris: RER B, Taxi, and Bus

The most practical and cost-effective way into central Paris from CDG is the RER B train. The station sits directly beneath Terminal 2, with access from the sub-terminals via signposted walkways. From CDG, the RER B runs to Gare du Nord in about 25 minutes, then continues to Châtelet-Les Halles, Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, and other central stations, eventually reaching the southern suburbs. The fare from CDG to any central Paris station is a flat 11 euros (as of 2026 pricing), paid by ticket or Navigo card at the station machines. Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.

The RER B from Terminal 1 requires a CDGVAL shuttle ride to the T2 rail station, adding about 10 minutes to the journey. There is also a bus connection from T1 directly to the RER B platforms. Overall, the total journey from Terminal 1 to central Paris by RER B is around 45 to 50 minutes.

Le Bus Direct (formerly Les Cars Air France) operates coach services from CDG to several central Paris locations, including the Arc de Triomphe area, Gare de Lyon, and Montparnasse. The journey takes 45 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and destination, and fares are around 18 euros one way. The coaches are comfortable and have luggage storage, making them a reasonable alternative if your destination is not near an RER B station.

Taxis from CDG operate on a fixed-zone fare structure introduced in 2024. A journey to any address on the Right Bank (north of the Seine) is a flat 56 euros. A journey to the Left Bank (south of the Seine) is a flat 65 euros. These fares apply day and night, and the taxi ranks at all CDG terminals are well-organized. Ride-hailing apps including Uber are available at designated pickup points, typically at a slight discount to the taxi fixed fare but subject to surge pricing at busy times.

Air France at CDG: The Home Carrier's Empire

Air France has built CDG into one of the most powerful hub operations in Europe. The carrier uses Terminal 2E as its primary long-haul base, with most intercontinental departures operating from the Hall L and Hall M sections and the attached Satellite S4. Domestic Air France flights and many European routes depart from 2F and the older 2A through 2D sections.

Sky Priority, Air France's premium check-in and boarding tier, operates at dedicated counters across all T2 sub-terminals. Passengers with Air France Business Class tickets or Flying Blue Platinum and Gold status use Sky Priority lanes at security checkpoints, which are significantly faster than standard lanes. The difference during peak morning long-haul departures can be 30 to 45 minutes.

Air France codeshare passengers on KLM, Delta, and other SkyTeam carriers will generally find their flights departing from T2, often from the same satellite buildings as Air France metal. Delta codeshare flights on Air France equipment leave from 2E. KLM codeshares may operate from T2 or occasionally T1 depending on the specific route and aircraft type.

Airport Lounges: From Salon to La Première

Air France operates a tiered lounge system across CDG, with access determined by fare class and Flying Blue status. The standard Salon Air France Business lounges are located in 2E, 2F, and other T2 sub-terminals. These are well-appointed, with hot food service, shower facilities, and comfortable seating. They are accessible to Business Class passengers and Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members, as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus cardholders on Air France-operated flights.

The Salon La Première is Air France's first-class lounge, available only to La Première (first class) passengers on Air France. It is located in Terminal 2E and offers individual dining rooms, dedicated check-in, and a level of service that places it among Europe's best airport lounges. Access is strictly limited; even Flying Blue Platinum status does not grant entry without a La Première ticket.

For travelers without alliance status or premium tickets, several independent lounge options exist at CDG. Plaza Premium operates in T1 and accepts Priority Pass. Air France also sells day passes to its business lounges on a space-available basis, though pricing makes this worthwhile mainly for travelers on longer layovers. Terminal 3 has very limited lounge provision; budget carrier passengers at CDG should not expect meaningful lounge access.

Connections at CDG: Understanding the Transfer Network

CDG is a major connecting hub, and Air France's schedule is engineered to facilitate connections from regional European feeder flights onto long-haul departures. The published minimum connection time for same-terminal connections within T2 is 40 minutes for Schengen-to-Schengen transfers and 60 minutes for international connections. In practice, building more buffer into connections is sensible, particularly when arriving from outside Schengen and needing to clear passport control.

Cross-terminal connections (T1 to T2 or vice versa) require the CDGVAL shuttle, which adds 15 to 20 minutes to any connection and means additional security screening. Cross-terminal connections at CDG should have a minimum of 90 minutes built in. Connections involving Terminal 3 are most complex and require baggage re-check in addition to the terminal transfer; budget at least 2 to 3 hours for these.

Passengers connecting within the Schengen area do not need to clear passport control, which significantly speeds up intra-Schengen transfers. Non-Schengen arrivals (including all flights from the United States, UK, and non-EU countries) require passport control clearance at CDG even for ongoing connections. During peak afternoon arrival windows, this can add 30 to 50 minutes to a connection time.

Passport Control and Customs: What to Expect

Arrivals at CDG from outside the Schengen zone clear French border control at dedicated immigration halls, the location of which varies by terminal and arriving flight. EU and Swiss passport holders use automated e-gates in most halls, with short queues. US passport holders have been eligible for e-gate use at French airports under the EU's biometric system since 2024, though in practice the e-gates can have availability issues during busy periods.

Customs clearance at CDG follows standard EU rules: EU allowances for goods, duty-free limits for arrivals from non-EU countries. The customs halls are generally quick for passengers with nothing to declare. Baggage reclaim at CDG varies significantly by terminal: T2E has modern, well-organized carousels with good belt capacity, while some older T2 sections and T1 have slower belt systems that can create waits of 20 to 30 minutes after landing.

Shopping and Dining: Best Bets by Terminal

Terminal 2E has the most developed airside retail at CDG. The duty-free zone in the main 2E departures hall is substantial, with competitive pricing on fragrances, cosmetics, wine, and spirits. The luxury retail section in 2E includes a reasonable selection of French brands including L'Occitane and some fashion concessions. For travelers who care about French grocery items, the Relay and MonoPrix concessions stock a good selection of food items to bring home.

Dining airside at CDG is workable but not exceptional. The Paul boulangerie concessions are genuinely good for coffee and pastries. Sit-down options in T2E are adequate for a pre-flight meal without being memorable. Terminal 1's food options are older and more limited; if you have time before a T1 departure, eating landside before security is often preferable. Terminal 3 dining is functional and nothing more.

Overnight at CDG: Hotels and Long Layovers

The Sheraton Paris Charles de Gaulle Hotel is the only hotel directly connected to the terminal complex, linked via a covered walkway to Terminal 2. It is a full-service hotel with comfortable rooms, good soundproofing, and the significant advantage of being reachable without going outdoors or taking a shuttle. For early morning departures from T2, it is the obvious choice.

The Ibis CDG and Pullman CDG hotels are a short shuttle ride from the terminals and offer more economical options for overnight stays. Several other hotels are clustered in the Roissy-en-France area immediately around the airport, reachable by free hotel shuttles running from the arrivals halls. For very long layovers where leaving the airport feels like the better option, the RER B into Paris and back is perfectly practical for a layover of 8 hours or more.

Book Flights Through CDG on Farefinda

Routing through Charles de Gaulle can unlock fares that direct routing misses, particularly on Air France and SkyTeam partner networks. Air France's long-haul sale fares via CDG are frequently among the most competitive transatlantic options available, and the carrier's partnerships with Delta and KLM create strong connection options from across the US and Europe.

Search and compare all CDG routing options at Farefinda, where you can set price alerts for Air France and SkyTeam fares and track the cheapest times to fly through Paris.

Frequently Asked Questions

RER B or taxi from CDG to Paris: which should I take?

The RER B is the better choice for most travelers. At around 11 euros versus a fixed taxi fare of 56 to 65 euros, the cost difference is significant. The RER B deposits you at Gare du Nord in about 25 minutes, from where you can connect to the Metro or Eurostar. Taxis make sense for groups of three or more sharing the cost, or when traveling with large amounts of luggage to an address not near an RER B station.

Which terminal is American Airlines at CDG?

American Airlines operates from Terminal 2 at CDG on its own-metal flights, using the sections aligned with its oneworld partner Air France. On codeshare flights operated by Air France, you will depart from whichever T2 section Air France assigns. Check your specific flight's terminal on the CDG airport website the day before departure, as T2 sub-terminal assignments can change.

How long does CDG immigration take for US passport holders?

During off-peak arrivals, immigration clearance for US passport holders at CDG takes 15 to 30 minutes. During peak afternoon periods when multiple transatlantic flights land in the same window, queues can extend to 45 to 60 minutes. US passport holders are eligible to use e-gates at French airports, which can reduce wait times significantly when the gates are operational and not congested.

Is there a free shuttle between CDG terminals?

Yes. The CDGVAL is a free automated shuttle that runs continuously between Terminal 1, Terminal 2, the on-site hotels, and the car parks. It operates 24 hours a day and takes about 8 minutes between T1 and T2. It is the standard way to transfer between the main terminal areas. Terminal 3 is also on the CDGVAL route. No airside connection exists between terminals, so the shuttle is necessary for any inter-terminal transfer.

What is the best lounge at CDG for non-Air France passengers?

For travelers without Air France status, the best independent lounge options are the Plaza Premium in Terminal 1, which accepts Priority Pass, and the Air France Salon day-pass option in T2, which can be purchased at the lounge reception on a space-available basis. Priority Pass holders should check current participating lounge locations directly with the CDG airport directory before their visit, as lounge partnerships change.