Paris Layover Guide

Experience Paris on your CDG layover! Expert guide to Eiffel Tower, museums, and café culture.

Paris layover at a glance

CDG to a quick Paris loop, or stay airside if time is tight.

Is it worth leaving the airport?

  • Leave with 7+ hours. Under that, stay airside.
  • Visa: Schengen rules; US/UK/EU/Canada/Australia are visa-free. Others must meet Schengen rules.
  • Luggage: CDG storage available; check terminal. Travel light if possible.
  • Transit: RER B ~35-45 minutes to central Paris; taxi can be 35-70+ minutes depending on traffic.

3-5 hours: stay airside

Croissant, coffee, lounge for showers/Wi‑Fi. Gate 40 minutes before boarding.

6-9 hours: core Paris hit

RER B to Saint-Michel/Notre-Dame. Walk the Seine/Latin Quarter, see Notre-Dame exterior. Grab a café lunch (~€12-20). Leave 3 hours before departure to buffer RER/security.

10+ hours: add Eiffel/Trocadéro glance

After the Seine loop, quick Metro to Trocadéro for Eiffel view. Return with a large buffer.

Getting there and back

  • RER B: ~€10-12; ~35-45 minutes.
  • Taxi: ~€50-70+; timing varies with traffic.

Money and budget

  • Currency: EUR; cards widely accepted.
  • 6-9h: ~€25-40 (RER, meal/snack).
  • 10h+: ~€40-70 (RER/Metro + meal, optional taxi).

Logistics and safety

  • Immigration: Schengen entry; allow time.
  • Return: Back at CDG 2.5-3h before long-haul, 2h Schengen; add for RER/security.
  • Safety: Central Paris is busy; normal awareness, watch pockets.

If you stay airside

  • Lounges: CDG lounges; showers/food.
  • Food: Pastries, café fare, standard options.
  • Rest: Lounges best.
Scroll to Top