You have landed in Paris, navigated your way through customs and now are ready to tackle the City of Lights. But before you can start eating croissants and sipping espresso at sidewalk cafes, you are going to have to find a way to get from the airport and into the city.
The RER B is the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to get from Charles de Gaule Airport to the center of Paris (an vie versa). The RER (which stands for Reseau Express Regionale or “Region Express Network”) and is an express network of trains that connects the outskirts of Paris with the center of the city and the rest of the Metro system.
>>Get more information in the Guide to RER Trains in Paris
RER Line B connects CDG with the Paris city center. If you only have a day-long layover in Paris and are looking to explore the city, the RER B from CDG drops you at St. Michel/Notre Dame within walking distance of the famous cathedral and the oldest part of the city (Ile de la Cite).
>>Read more about spending One Day in Paris
RER B to Paris
Line: RER B
Direction: Paris (St. Remy-les-Chevreuse)
Arrival stations: Gare du Nord, Chatelet les Halles, St. Michel/Notre Dame, Luxembourg, Port Royal, Denfert-Rouchereau, Cite Universite
Ticket: €8.40 Euro for Adult, €5.90 for children. You’ll need a standard issue metro ticket (or Billet il-de-france) good for Zones 1 through 5
First and Last Train: 4:56 am and 11:56 pm
How/Where to catch the train
RER B (blue line) leaves from Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 in CDG. There are two stations: Aeroport Charles de Gaule 1, which is located near Terminal 3 in the Roissypole building, and Aeroport Charles de Gaule 2, which is located between Terminal 2E and 2C.
The site Paris by Train has a fantastic, photo based instructions on how to get from your gate to the RER station:
Buying Train Tickets:
You will need a ticket for Zones 1-5 to get from CDG into Paris. Once again, Paris by Train has an excellent summary loaded with tips on buying tickets and more here, if you are looking for more information.
Other articles on getting around Paris:
{ 3 comments }
I can’t fathom only one day in Paris, but for those who go there fairly often, or on business, perhaps it makes sense. Does it?
The truth is, for many package tours, one ‘free day’ in major cities is all one gets. Nowadays with the awful exchange rates, a package tour can look all the more enticing - so study the itinerary carefully, find that one ‘free day’ and use Parislogue’s tips for One Day in Paris to get some ideas to maximize your free time.
I will be a student at Univ. Paris 8 and staying in Paris centrale. So I will need to take the RER to St. Denis round trip most weekdays. Is there a long term or discount pass for regular/student commuters?
Merci!
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