If you’re reading this, you know that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and also one of the most popular as a destination for tourists. Many people want to visit here, and fortunately it’s not too difficult to do so! Even if you don’t live nearby or can’t take much time away from work or school, you can still see all of Paris and its famous landmarks. Simply get on a plane and go! You might not have heard of many airports serving Paris, but there are quite a few. The main airport serving the city is called CDG. Paris CDG Airport also one of the busiest airports in Europe, sitting right on top of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (or simply Roissy Airport). While both offer flights to Paris and serve as gateways for visitors heading into the city, they aren’t identical in their amenities or services offered. If you need to fly into either at some point during your trip, read on!
What to Expect When You Arrive at CDG
The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at CDG is that there are multiple terminals at the airport. You’ll want to confirm which terminal you’re flying into. You can do this by checking your flight information or asking your travel agent. The terminals here are fairly modern, clean, and well-organized. You’ll be able to find everything you need to get you through your transit to Paris, including clean bathrooms with plenty of toilets, shops selling food, drinks, and souvenirs. As you’re coming into France, you might also notice that the airport has a different energy to it. People here are generally friendly and helpful. Unlike in the United States, you’re unlikely to find anyone who isn’t fluent in both English and French, so you won’t have any trouble communicating with anyone at the airport.
How to Get From CDG to Paris
If you’re flying into CDG and want to experience Paris, you’ll likely be arriving in Terminal 2 or 3. From there, you can get to Paris by train, bus, or car. The train is the best option, and is a quick and reliable route to Paris. You can purchase tickets online or at the station. The journey to Paris takes around 40 minutes. If you decide to take the bus, there are multiple routes and providers. You’ll need to check the times, but the journey typically takes an hour and a half. Finally, you can drive, but this takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic.
Helpful Tips for Travellers to Paris
Keep in mind that Paris is a very large city. If you’re visiting for the first time and don’t have a car, you’ll have to navigate it all by foot or public transit. The public transit system for Paris is called the Metro, and it is excellent, but it can be intimidating for first-time visitors. It’s important to know that you need to purchase Metro tickets before you get on the train. Tickets are available from vending machines or from ticket salespeople. Don’t forget to stamp your ticket after you enter the Metro!
Final thoughts: Should you visit CDG?
Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport is an excellent airport to visit, and you should if you ever have the chance. You’ll find it modern, clean, and efficient, with helpful and friendly staff. The airport serves a lot of Parisian travellers, but is also a popular transit airport for people visiting France from other countries. If you’re thinking of visiting France, you should definitely include Paris on your list. And when you do, make sure to visit CDG. There’s no better place to start your trip to Paris than an airport!
