Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)
Meet the Third Busiest International Aviation Hub in EuropeIs CDG Airport the Main Airport in Paris?
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Roissy Airport, as it is often called after its location (Roissy), is the main airport in Paris. Thus, it also goes simply by the name of Paris Airport, pointing out loud and clear that it is the major airfield serving the Paris area. Charles de Gaulle Airport opened its doors in 1974, receiving its name as a tribute to the famous French statesman, and replacing the old airport, known as Paris North Airport (Aéroport de Paris Nord). Today, it lies approximately 25km/15.5 miles north of Paris city center.
Verily, CDG Airport is the busiest airport in France, but it also occupies the third position among European airports and the ninth among the airports globally. After a massive fall in passenger numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems to be back on track. As a matter of fact, in 2023, it welcomed nearly 67.4 million passengers, becoming the third busiest European airport in terms of passenger flow. Moreover, it is also an important cargo aviation hub.
Besides CDG Airport, two other airports are also located in proximity to Paris. Orly Airport is to be found 17km/10.5 miles from Paris, on its south side and serves mostly low-cost and domestic flights, whereas Paris Beauvais Airport is situated 100km/62 miles away from Paris downtown, handling budget airlines and private jets.
Note: Besides CDG, Orly, and Beauvais Airports, two more airports are theoretically serving Paris as well, raising the total number of Paris airports to 5. However, Paris-Le Bourget Airport (once the primary Paris airport) hosts only business flights and air shows, while Paris-Vatry Airport lies 165km/102 miles from Paris city center.
Airport Name: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
IATA Code: CDG
ICAO: LFPG
Location: Roissy-en-France, France
Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT+2)
Airport Map: Paris Airport at Google Maps
CDG Airlines
Apart from being the busiest airport in the European Union, Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport is one of the most occupied air hubs in the world, both in terms of passenger traffic and cargo volume. Thus, it comes as no surprise that CDG Airport serves a vast number of airlines, from international to domestic air carriers and from conventional providers to budget airlines. However, what has to be pointed out is the fact that it is actually the airport that houses the biggest number of airlines worldwide. Expectantly, Paris Airport is a hub for Air France, the flag air carrier, and a focus city for easyJet.
Paris Airport’s Layout
Paris Roissy Airport actually resembles an aviation village. It is expanded into an enormous area, consisting of three terminals. Nevertheless, terminal 2 is divided into 7 sections, basically being 7 terminals in 1 place. However, despite the airport’s dimensions, a fourth terminal was planned to be added to the complex to serve the substantial airport passenger traffic. The project was canceled, though, due to its environmental impact.
Parking Facilities
Each one of the 3 CDG terminals offers adequate short-term parking services to its passengers. Hence, T1 and T3 have one close-to-terminal parking facility each, whereas the vast T2 has 4 car parks, serving its 7 sections. Moreover, 3 long-stay parking lots are also to be found inside the Paris airport complex. Last but not least, pick-up and drop-off area are also to be found within the CDG premises.
Transit Options
The main airport in Paris is well-connected to the city center as well as to various other parts of Paris. Therefore, should you want to travel from Paris Airport to the city center, you’ll have to pick one of the following options:
Services and Amenities
Even though it is regarded as a complex airport (especially due to its vast T2), CDG Airport is overall considered a passenger-friendly air hub, as it offers top-rated services and amenities. Here follow some of them:
- Many retail options and Duty-free areas
- Restaurants / Bars
- Baggage wrapping / Luggage storage
- Meeting rooms
- Pharmacies /Medical center
- Banks / ATMs / Currency exchange areas
- Family services / Children’s playgrounds / Gaming zones
- Relaxing chairs
- Reading zones
- Cultural exhibitions
- Lost & Found offices
- Chapels / Synagogues / Mosques
- Lounges / Spa facilities
- Airport hotel
- Wi-Fi
- Travel agencies and tour operators
- Information kiosks
- Special services and amenities for passengers with disabilities
Contact Info
Official Name: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
Address: 95700 Roissy-en-France, France
Phone Number: 3950 / +33 1 70 36 39 50
Mail : Paris Aéroports de Paris – Customer service – 1 rue de France – BP81007 – 95931 Roissy Charles de Gaulle Cedex – FRANCE
The City of Paris
What can anyone say about Paris? The “City of Light” is a unique destination, a marvelous blend of history, culture, gastronomy, and a thriving nightlife. From its countless sites and attractions (Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, Louvre, Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame, Sacré-Coeur, Jardin du Luxembourg … the list is endless) to the French capital’s legendary shopping scene, and from the highly-reputed French gastronomy to the scenic cafes, the idyllic bars and the vivid night clubs, Paris radiates an ambiance like no other. All in all, if you are planning a journey to Paris, there’s one thing that can’t be questioned: “Paris is always a good idea”!
FAQs
How many airports are in Paris?
Paris and its nearby areas are served by three airports. Paris Charles de Gaulle is located 25km/15.5 miles north of Paris city center and serves the vast majority of incoming and outgoing flights, whereas Orly Airport, 17km/10.5 miles away, handles low-cost air carriers and domestic flights, and Paris Beauvais Airport, lying 100km/62.1 miles north of Paris at the city of Beauvais, welcomes some budget airlines as well as charters and private jets.
What is the main airport in Paris?
CDG Airport is undoubtedly the main airport in Paris. In fact, it is the primary international airport in France and the second most important, when it comes to passenger traffic, in Europe.
How early should I get to the airport CDG?
If your upcoming flight is domestic or medium-distance, arriving at the airport 1.30 hours before your flight guarantees an unstressed check-in. On the other hand, international, long flights require a 2-3-hour before the flight-arrival at CDG.
How long does security take at CDG?
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport serves thousands of travelers daily. Thus, the lines for security and passport control can be really long. Luckily, they tend to move fast. In any case, especially if your flight is international, you should be early at the airport, as the total procedures may last 1-2 hours.
How big is the Charles de Gaulle Airport?
Roissy Airport is a large airfield. It actually looks like a small village, spreading over a 32-square-kilometer distance. It consists of three terminals. However, terminal 2 is divided into 7 sections, being used as separate sub-terminals.
How many runways does Charles de Gaulle Airport have?
Paris Airport has 4 runways. In fact, it is equipped with 2 pairs of runways, constructed so as to be used simultaneously.
What are the transportation options from Paris CDG Airport to the city center?
Passengers landing at CDG Airport find plenty of choices for their transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the city center. Thus, apart from the always-around airport taxis, the luxurious private transfers, and the handy car rentals, the airport is connected to Paris downtown via the fast Roissybus and the local buses, as well as with the Regional Trains RER B.