Getting from Charles de Gaulle to the Eiffel Tower feels easier once you know what the trip actually looks like beforehand. Think of it as your first small journey through the city.
CDG sits about 30 kilometers from the tower, therefore, understanding how much time you have to spare on transit will determine the best transport system to use. A car can move fast when the roads are clear. Trains keep a steady rhythm even when traffic gets messy. Buses take their time but stay simple. Most trips land somewhere between forty and ninety minutes.
Once you have those differences in mind, the whole thing stops feeling complicated. You can also match the route to your mood, your luggage and how tired you are after the flight.
This guide walks you through each option in plain language so you can pick the one that fits the kind of arrival you want.
Option 1: Taxi or Private Transfer
A long flight into Paris can leave you feeling a bit wrung out. Your shoulders feel tight from the overhead lights. Your mind is foggy from hours of recycled air. So the idea of walking straight out of the airport and sliding into a car that takes you directly to the Eiffel Tower sounds like a small gift.
That’s the main reason private transfers and taxis stay so popular on this route. You step outside, someone handles the driving and you get a calm start to your trip instead of figuring out where the next escalator or platform is.
Benefits of Private Transfers
Private transfers are the easiest version of this. Families like them because no one has to herd kids through busy stations. Couples like them because the ride feels smoother after a long-haul flight. Groups like them because everyone stays together and the cost becomes easier to share. And if you’re someone who doesn’t want to deal with luggage on a train after landing, this option saves you a lot of hassle.
Comfort is only part of the reason people pick private transfers. The predictability helps too. The price is fixed, so you’re not dealing with a meter climbing during traffic.
Drivers usually speak English, which is comforting when your brain is still catching up after a flight. They meet you right at arrivals. You walk out, spot your name, and someone guides you toward the car. If your flight lands late or you’re dragging heavy luggage, this simple handoff keeps stress low. You only have to focus on arriving in the city, not navigating the airport.
Estimated Taxi and Private Car Costs
Taxis work well if you prefer a familiar setup. Paris has a flat rate system for CDG taxis, which keeps things transparent. The official fares from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris are listed on the Paris Aéroport site, and that helps people gauge what they’ll spend before they reach the taxi line.
The typical cost sits around the fixed rate for the Right Bank. Private transfer prices usually fall in a slightly wider range, depending on the vehicle size or any extra services. The ride itself usually takes forty to sixty minutes with light traffic. However, morning or evening peaks can stretch that time. Weather can slow things down as well. But in normal conditions, it’s a comfortable ride that drops you close to your hotel or the Eiffel Tower without extra steps.
Between both a taxi and private transfer, however, a private transfer is a better option. The cost stays consistent for private transfers, which is a big comfort when you’re budgeting a trip. A family traveling with several bags can often justify the price because avoiding the RER connections saves time and frustration. A solo traveler might still choose it for the convenience.
People visiting Paris for work tend to prefer a car waiting for them because it gives them time to reset or answer messages on the drive into the city.
Booking Your Private Transfer
Booking a private transfer is easy. Most people book a few days before their trip, but you can do it earlier if you like everything locked in.
The service usually asks for your flight number, arrival time and drop off location. That’s it. While flying, the driver monitors your flight in case of delays. You collect your bags, walk out and find them waiting. From there, they take the lead and guide you to the car. If you want a smooth start, Paris Airport Pickup is a solid option.
Once you’re in the car, the trip feels calmer than the rest of the airport shuffle. You watch the city slowly come into view. You get a first glimpse of the skyline. And before long, the Eiffel Tower starts to appear through the buildings. It sets the tone for the rest of your stay and gives you a soft landing into Paris instead of a frantic one.
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Option 2: Train
Taking the train from Charles de Gaulle into Paris feels like slipping straight into the pace of the city. This option is the go-to for many travellers. Although it still boils down to preference and sometimes, as necessity demands.
Pros and Cons of Taking the Train
The train is an option people pick when they want something affordable and predictable. The RER B line leaves the airport frequently and moves at a steady rhythm, so you’re not stuck guessing when the next one will show up. The cost stays low compared to taxis or private cars, which makes it appealing if you’re traveling on a budget or you’ve already spent a chunk of change on the flight.
However, there are a few downsides as well. You’ll probably have to make at least one connection. Most travelers switch from the RER B to the Metro at stations like Saint-Michel Notre-Dame or Denfert-Rochereau. Those stations can get crowded. The trains can fill up too, especially during weekday rush hours. If you’re carrying a heavy suitcase, the stairs in some Metro stations can feel like a small workout. It’s manageable, just not the smoothest start after a long flight.
Train Tickets and Booking
Buying tickets at CDG is straightforward. There are large blue ticket machines near the entrances to the RER platforms. They accept both cards and cash. The machines have English menus, which helps if your French is not perfect yet.
You can also go to the staffed ticket counters if you’d rather talk to someone. The ticket price is usually consistent for the airport routes and covers the entire journey into central Paris. You only need one ticket until you exit the Metro at your final stop. The RATP site is a helpful reference if you want current prices or service updates.
You can also check schedules or alternative routes on SNCF Connect.
Train Travel Time and Frequency
The RER B ride into Paris usually takes around thirty to forty minutes. Once you reach the transfer station, you’ll switch to the Metro. For the Eiffel Tower, most people head for lines like Metro Line 6 or Metro Line 9. Each connection adds a bit of time, especially if you have to walk between platforms.
The full journey from the airport to the Eiffel Tower usually lands somewhere between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes. That timing depends on how quickly you navigate the connections and how busy the stations are.
Option 3: Bus
The bus feels slower and more relaxed than the train, and some travelers like that pace after a long flight. RoissyBus is the main airport bus people use from CDG. It runs directly to the Opéra area in central Paris. The ride is simple. You get on at the airport, sit back, and stay on the same bus until the final stop. It works well for people who don’t want to deal with train platforms or transfers. The seats are decent and the luggage space is easy to reach.
Bus Routes and Stops from CDG
There are a few other buses around the airport, like the 350 and 351. They’re public city buses, so they’re cheaper, but they stop often and take longer. They feel more like everyday commuter routes than a direct airport service.
They can be fine if your accommodation is near one of the stops, but most visitors prefer RoissyBus because it’s built for airport travelers. Le Bus Direct used to be another option, but that line was discontinued, so most information you see online about it is now historical rather than useful for planning.
The bus suits people who aren’t in a rush and don’t mind a longer ride. It also works for travelers staying near Opéra or anywhere with an easy Metro connection from there. If you’re traveling alone and you want a straightforward option without climbing stairs or squeezing into busy trains, the bus feels steady and predictable.
Bus Fares and Schedules
Tickets for RoissyBus are easy to buy. You can get them from the machines near the bus stops or through the RATP site.
Prices sit in the mid-range for airport transport. They’re more than the RER B but far cheaper than a taxi.
The ride usually takes about an hour, although traffic can stretch it. Buses have space for luggage, though it’s not as generous as a private car. It works best when you have one suitcase and a carry-on instead of multiple large bags. Schedules are frequent enough that you won’t wait long between departures. You can check updated times and general airport transport info on the Paris Aéroport site.
If you want a calm, no-transfer ride into the city and your hotel is easy to reach from Opéra, the bus might feel like the most comfortable start to your Paris trip.
Comparing All Transport Options
Each option from CDG has its own rhythm. Some feel fast and private. Others feel steady and budget friendly. Private transfers and taxis suit travelers who want to land, walk out, and let someone else handle the rest. Families lean toward this because hauling kids and luggage through stations after a long flight can drain the mood before the trip even starts. Couples also enjoy that smooth door to door ride since it takes the pressure off navigating in a new city.
Below is a simple table that compares everything at a glance.
| Transport Option | Approx Cost | Travel Time | Convenience Level | Best For |
| Private Transfer | €48–€58 | 35–50 min | High | Families. Couples. First-time visitors |
| Taxi | €55-€62 | 36–50 min | High | Travelers who prefer a direct ride |
| Train (RER B + Metro) | €11-€13 | 60–75 min | Medium | Solo travelers. Budget travelers |
| Bus | €6-€16 | 60–90 min | Medium | People without heavy luggage |
There’s no single “best” choice. It depends on how tired you are, how much luggage you have, and how much you want to spend.
If the private transfer feels like the most seamless travel option for you, head over here to book your ride with Paris Airport Pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
A taxi or private transfer usually gets you there the quickest. It’s door to door and you’re not juggling platforms with luggage. The train can hold its own when traffic clears up, so it’s a steady alternative on busy days.
Paris has fixed taxi rates from the airport. Trips heading toward the Right Bank follow one rate and the Left Bank follows another. The trip costs between €55-€62.
No direct train runs that route. You take the RER B into the city, hop off at a central station like Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, then switch to Metro Line 6 toward Bir-Hakeim. It’s a smooth transfer once you know where you’re headed.
Taxis and private transfers usually take 35 to 50 minutes. The RER B plus Metro combo lands around 50 to 70 minutes, depending on wait times and crowds.
Editorial Staff’s at Paris Airport Pickup are experts in Paris transportation.
