RER and TGV Paris Airport trains
Trains depart from the two airport train stations regularly, connecting Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport to Paris city center and its suburbs along with other French cities and international destinations as well. Thus, the RER (Réseau Express Régional) B trains handle transfers from Paris Roissy Airport to Paris, whereas TGV intercity trains leave Paris behind and head to other domestic or foreign cities.
The Regional RER B Trains from Paris Roissy Airport
RER B (Blue Line) trains leave from both Paris airport train stations with their first route at 04:50 am and the last at approximately 00:50 am. Therefore, RER B is a convenient and cheap alternative for travelers arriving at CDG Airport late at night. Trains run every 10-20 minutes, depending on the time of the day. Their more frequent itineraries are, of course, during rush hours.
The regional trains need about 50 minutes to reach their terminus. However, if your destination is Gare du Nord, your train ride will last about 34 minutes, while Paris Châtelet-les-Halles station is 37 minutes away, and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame is 40 minutes from CDG Airport. Nevertheless, please note that there is an express RER B train (heading to Massy Palaiseau and not Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse), which doesn’t call at intermediate stops from the airport to Gare du Nord. Hence, it is faster.
On the other hand, you should always keep in mind that trains in France often split. RER B is no exception. Thus, RER B3 runs from Paris to the airport. Conversely, RER B5 terminates its route at Mitry-Claye, not stopping at Roissy Airport on its way. Before hopping on the train, lift your head to the light signs of each Paris railway station and make sure that Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV is the train’s final stop or spot a switched-on light next to the airport stations on the train panels. In general, when it comes to RER Commuter Trains, the letter (B) denotes the line, and the number (3) the branch.
Our Tip: Maintenance services to the railway infrastructure are a common thing, leading to long train rides and unexpected changes in rail routes and times. Thus, it is always advisable to check the RATP official website for potential changes and delays.
The RER B Paris Airport Train Stations
RER B trains stop at both Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV (SNCF Railway Station) Stations. You may think that Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 lies at T1, but this is hardly the case. Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 is to be found at Roissypôle, the building complex near T3 housing – apart from the station – many airport hotels and offices. The rail station can be reached from T3 on foot (5-10 minutes), while travelers from T1 have to take the free CDGVAL airport shuttle train to get to the station.
Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV is located between T2C/D and T2E/F. T1 and T3 passengers wishing to reach the TGV airport rail hub have to use the CDGVAL Train. On the other hand, T2A is a 10-minute walk from the station but can also be accessed via the free N1 airport shuttle bus, while T2C/D/E/F are within walking distance. Lastly, the complimentary Bus N2 handles transfers between T2G and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2.
In any case, informative signs are scattered all over the airport, displaying “RER B train” or “Paris by train”.
Our Tip 1: The free CDGVAL Paris airport train runs every 4 minutes, from 04:00 am to 01:00 am, and connects T1 to T2 in about 8 minutes and T1 to T3 in 4 minutes.
Our Tip 2: Unfortunately, the RER trains are a playing field for pickpockets. Thus, you should keep an eye on your personal belongings while traveling to your Paris destination.
How Much do the RER Train Tickets Cost from Paris CDG Airport?
A one-way ticket for RER B trains costs 11.40€/11.40$ for adult passengers, while an airport ticket for children between 4 and 9 is 8€/8$. Younger children travel for free. Tickets are available at the station’s automatic machines and ticket offices. However, you should bear in mind that at SNCF Station, there are separate ticket desks for intercity trains (TGV) and RER tickets (Billets Paris et Ile de France). Billets aéroport are also valid for metro transfers within 90 minutes, as long as you don’t exit the railway station.
On the other hand, you can benefit from Paris Visite travel pass or Navigo passes (Forfaits Navigo) for your train transfers from Charles de Gaulle Airport:
- Paris Visite Travel Pass
It is available for 1,2,3, or 5 days in a row, allowing unlimited public transfers (Metro, Bus, Tram, RER, SNCF, Funiculaire de Montmartre). Passengers can choose between a zone 1-3 pass (central Paris and the inner suburbs) or a zone 1-5 card (Paris and Ile-de-France). CDG Airport is to be found in zone 5 of Paris. Thus, you should purchase the corresponding Paris Visite pass, paying from 25.25€/25.25$ to 65.80€/65.80$, depending on the selected number of days. Children from 4 to 10 years old are offered a 50% discount on their train fares. The passes can be bought from the airport RER stations or online via selected tourist operators. To use them, you’ll have to write your name and the starting and ending dates. However, time actually counts from the first validation. Please note that you’ll have to validate your pass for each transfer. Last but not least, the Paris Visite pass provides special discounts (ex. at Galeries Lafayette).
- Navigo Passes
Navigo Forfaits is another alternative for travelers who plan on using the Paris public transportation network.
To begin with, you’ll have to buy a Navigo pass (a rechargeable smartcard) and load it with tickets afterward. You can either buy the Navigo Easy, which costs 2€/2$ and is anonymous. However, it can’t be used by more than one person at a time while it can be charged only with Navigo Day passes. With those tickets, you’ll get to travel for free for 24 hours, starting from 00:00 am on the day of purchase (you can also use it one of the next 6 days) until midnight. Please remember that you can’t load your pass with more than two-day tickets, while you’ll get to choose the transfer zones of your preference (at least two of them). Thus, the Navigo Day Ticket may cost from 7.50€/7.50$) to 17.80€/17.80$ if you settle on the ticket covering zones 1-5.
Tickets t+ cannot be used at airport RER trains. They are valid only for RER transfers around the central Paris area.
You can also load your day tickets at the Navigo Découverte. However, this 5€/5$ card is personal. In fact, you’ll have to fill it in with your name and stick one photo of yours on it. Besides day tickets, Navigo Découverte can be charged with week tickets too.
Navigo Week pass is valid for a week’s time (Monday at 00:00 am to Sunday at midnight) and can be used for every ride with a public mode of transport. Tickets for the current week are available up to Thursday night and are valid until next Sunday. Thus, it is obvious that buying a Navigo Week pass on a Thursday isn’t a value-for-money choice. On the other hand, passes for the upcoming week can be purchased from Friday morning. The cost for zones 1-5 is 22.80€/22.80$.
Our Tip 1: Navigo Forfaits are available through the Paris airport train stations’ ticket vendors.
Our Tip 2: You should buy your ticket before your train ride. Otherwise, you may end up with a heavy fine.
TGV Intercity Trains from Charles de Gaulle Airport
Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV is a hub for TGV intercity trains as well. The TGV lines (TGV North, TGV South, TGV West), the high-speed premium inOui running around more than 200 domestic destinations, and the low-cost, regional Ouigo rails depart from the 5-floor SNCF Station located at T2 (between T2C/D and T2E/F). What’s more, connections to mainline trains (Thalys, Eurostar) are also being served by TGV Airport Rail Station.
Do you want to travel stress-free to your final destination? Don’t book two separate tickets for your flight and your train ride, but combine them in one! SNCF collaborates with various airlines and allows you to purchase your train ticket when booking your airfare or, conversely, to book an airfare during the train ride reservation (Transit Air+Train / Transit Train+Air). With this combo, you can be sure that in case of a flight or train delay, you will automatically have a seat on the next available train route or plane.
Our Tip 1: TGV Station has two types of ticket desks: one for RER trains and one for “Grandes Lignes” (Main Lines). TGV tickets are available through the “Grandes Lignes” SNCF ticket offices or the relevant automatic machines.
Our Tip 2: CDG Airport has clear signage to TGV Station. Just follow the signs towards “Gare SNCF” or “Paris by train”.
FAQs
Does Paris Airport have a train station?
Charles de Gaulle Airport actually has two train stations. Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 lies at Roissypôle and handles train routes to Paris and its suburbs (RER B egional trains). On the other hand, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, located at T2, serves both RER B itineraries and intercity and international destinations (TGV trains).
How much is the train from CDG to Paris?
RER B trains to the city center are considered a cheap alternative. A one-way train ticket for adult passengers costs 11.40€/11.40$ and can also be used for metro transfers within a 90-minute period of time. On the other hand, the Paris Visite travel pass and Navigo Forfaits are also valid for the airport RER lines.
Is RER B safe?
RER B trains are safe enough, except for the rather frequent pickpocket incidents, especially during rush hours when the trains are crowded. Unfortunately, this tends to be an expected common reality when traveling via train in a big city such as Paris. In any case, if possible, you should avoid traveling with the RER B lines late at night.