HOW BEST TO NAVIGATE PARIS CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT (CDG)

CDG is one of the biggest and sometimes hardest to navigate airports in the world. Arriving in Paris and need to catch a connecting flight? Including airport transfer information, directions, formalities and services, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to enjoy the rest of your trip and facilitate your connection at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.

• Follow the “Connecting flights” signs

• Check the boarding hall for your connecting flight on the “Departing flights” screens

• Proceed directly to your boarding gate

Information kiosks are available to help you find your way through the airport and locate nearby services and restaurants. You can also visit the Air France Transfer counter to get answers to all of your questions. Have you checked your baggage? Not to worry: they will transfer it to your connecting flight. Would you like to collect your baggage at Paris-Charles de Gaulle between two connecting AIR FRANCE or KLM flights? You will be charged €275 for this service, regardless of the reason, the number of baggage items, or your flight cabin.

Airport layout:

Let's roll out the CDG Blueprint! CDG has three terminals, with the vast majority of flights departing from terminal 2. Terminal 2 is split up into separate hubs marked by letters (2A, 2C, etc…). Travelling between terminals can be done on foot, by bus, or using the CDGVAL light rail.

Transiting through CDG:

We can’t always book direct flights (as much as we might wish), and that means that occasionally we have to layover somewhere. If you’ve booked a flight with a layover through Paris, fear not, we’ll walk you through what that might look like. Depending on where you’re arriving and departing from, the transit process can take up to 90 minutes (there can be a lot of walking involved). If you’re traveling on one ticket, any checked bags will most likely be transferred to your connecting flight. If this is you, follow the yellow “transfer” symbol. If you’ve booked on separate tickets, you might need to exit, collect your bags, check them in again, and clear security before you can proceed to your gate. If this is you, follow the “conveyor belt” or “exit” signs. 

Wondering how much time you need to make your transfer? The airport has created a handy tool to estimate how long it will take. Simply input your arrival and departure flight information, and you’ll not only find out how much time you should expect to take, but what your route from one gate to the next will look like!

Be aware that depending on your route, you may need to clear immigration as part of your transit process. This applies to flights going from Schengen countries to non-Schengen countries, and vice versa. If you’re flying non-Schengen to Schengen, or non-Schengen to non-Schengen, you will need to clear security control as well (no passport or visa check). 

*Schengen area countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Main Terminals at Charles de Gaulle 

As mentioned above, it can feel overwhelming to navigate this sprawling airport at first, but acquainting yourself with the general layout ahead of your visit can help. Here are some tips for making your passage through the airport smooth and stress-free, whether you're departing or arriving.

• First, look at a map of all the terminals for an overview of how each of them connect. If you wish, you can also download detailed maps of each terminal.

• There are easy-to-use, free shuttle and train services between each terminal. From whatever terminal you're in, follow signs to the "CDGVal" trains, or head to the shuttle buses parked outside the departures lounges.

Terminal 1 is the oldest at Charles de Gaulle, and is designed as a large, circular space with arm-like areas radiating out from the center. It has five floors.

• The majority of the check-in areas are found on the third floor.

• The fourth floor houses shopping and duty-free areas, restaurants and other passenger amenities.

• The arrivals area and baggage claims are primarily located on the top floor of this terminal.

• The free CDGVal train to terminals 2 and 3 can be found on the second floor.

Terminal 2 is also known as the Air France terminal, since most flights from the national carrier depart from here (as well as those from partner airlines). The largest terminal at the airport, it's divided into several sub-terminals, A through G.

• It's easy enough to use the inter-terminal walkways to get between terminals 2A and 2F, but if your flights departs from 2G, you'll have to use a shuttle bus or free metro train to get there since it's a satellite terminal.

• Terminals A through G offer their own restaurants, shops, wifi access and prayer rooms as well as resting and business areas.

• You can catch the CDGVAL inter-terminal metro train, as well as trains to central Paris and other destinations around France, from this terminal. The TGV station is located in terminals 2E, 2F and 2G. 

Terminal 3 is CDG's smallest terminal and boasts only a single building. It has no boarding gates.

• If you're scheduled to depart from or arrive at this terminal, be aware that you will be automatically shuttled to other terminals to catch your flight or reach the arrivals area.

• The CDGVal metro train easily allows you to travel between Terminal 3 and the others at the airport.

The bottom line is this. When you land, be prepared to run if your connection is less than 2 hours. And ask airport staff for help if you can’t find your way. That is what they are there for!