Under 3 hours at CDG or ORY means stay airside — non-EU immigration alone averages 45-60 min at CDG.
- CDG Terminal 2E has the best airside dining: I Love Paris by Guy Martin has sit-down French food past security
- CDG Terminal 1 is quieter with a food court on the departure level
- ORY has Paul bakery and Laduree airside — better than most airports at this window
A 6-hour CDG layover gives you roughly 3 hours in Paris if you move efficiently. Budget 60 minutes for immigration, 40 minutes each way on the RER B, and 2 hours back to clear CDG security before your flight. That leaves 3 hours for exploration in central Paris.
The Notre Dame area and Latin Quarter are the best targets for a 6-hour layover. RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station is 40 minutes and €14. Walk to Notre Dame cathedral (currently under restoration but the exterior and surrounding Île de la Cité are open). Cross to the Left Bank for a café on Rue de la Huchette or Rue Mouffetard. Total transit time door-to-door from CDG is 50-55 minutes.
Trocadéro gardens offer the best Eiffel Tower views in Paris without ticket lines or entry fees. Take RER B to Châtelet, transfer to Line 6 (toward Nation), and exit at Trocadéro. Total journey is about 55 minutes from CDG. You get iconic Tower photos and a genuine Paris moment within a tight window.
Return to CDG no later than 2 hours before departure. Security queues at CDG can run 45-60 minutes on peak days.
An 8-10 hour layover gives you 5-6 hours in central Paris. You can combine two or three experiences comfortably.
Sample 8-hour route from CDG: RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (40 min, €14). Walk to Notre Dame and the surrounding Île de la Cité (30 min). Cross Pont Saint-Michel to the Latin Quarter for lunch at a café on Rue de la Huchette (60-90 min). Walk or take Line 4 north to Châtelet and cross the river to the Louvre courtyard and Pyramid (free, 30 min). Stroll through Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde (20 min). Return via RER B from Châtelet to CDG (40 min). Total city time: 5-6 hours.
The Louvre exterior and Tuileries Garden are free and do not require tickets or advance booking. The Musée d'Orsay costs €16 and takes 2-3 hours if you want to go inside (Impressionist collection). For Eiffel Tower access without long ticket lines, visit Trocadéro gardens for free Tower views across the Seine.
Return to CDG 2 hours before departure. Security lines are unpredictable and can run 45-60 minutes on busy days.
With 10+ hours you have 7-8 hours in the city. An Eiffel Tower visit, a museum, and a walk along the Seine all fit comfortably.
Sample 12-hour route: RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (40 min, €14). Walk to Notre Dame and the Île de la Cité (30 min). Walk west along the Left Bank to Musée d'Orsay (15 min). Spend 2-3 hours inside viewing the Impressionist collection (entry €16, no advance booking needed most days). Exit and walk to Pont d'Iéna and Trocadéro gardens for Eiffel Tower views (20 min walk). Cross to the Tower and go to the summit (pre-book online for €29.40 to skip 60-90 minute ticket queues). Walk back along the Seine to Châtelet or take Line 6 to Châtelet. Return to CDG via RER B (40 min). Total city time: 7-8 hours.
The Seine walk from Trocadéro to Notre Dame takes 90 minutes at a relaxed pace and is entirely free. Trocadéro gardens offer the best Eiffel Tower photo opportunity without entering the Tower itself. Verify current museum and attraction pricing before you travel.
Leave Paris 2 hours before your flight departure time. CDG security and check-in lines can exceed 60 minutes on busy travel days.
