First time in Paris: airport transfers and transport basics (2026)

The illuminated Eiffel Tower and the Paris skyline at night

A first trip to Paris comes with a dozen small transport decisions in the first hour: which airport am I at, how do I get to the city, what should it cost, where do I go with my bags? This guide answers exactly those questions — written by the chauffeurs who meet first-time visitors at the arrivals gate every day.

Know your airport: CDG, Orly or Beauvais

Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 30 km north-east, handles most long-haul flights. Orly (ORY), 15 km south, covers many European and domestic routes. Beauvais (BVA), 85 km north, serves some low-cost carriers — and its distance surprises everyone who did not check.

Your arrival airport shapes the first hour of the trip. CDG and Orly both have fixed-price private transfers to the centre at €80 sedan / €130 van; Beauvais is quoted individually because of the distance.

Getting to the centre: your real options

From CDG: the RER B train reaches Châtelet in about 35 minutes; taxis have regulated flat fares; a pre-booked private transfer is door-to-door at €80/€130 with a name-board welcome.

From Orly: the Orlyval plus RER B combination, the metro line 14, taxis — or the same fixed €80/€130 private transfer, about 30–40 minutes door-to-door.

The mistakes first-timers make

The classic errors we see weekly: taking the RER with three suitcases at rush hour; accepting a ride from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal (always decline — use the official taxi rank or a pre-booked driver); underestimating Beauvais; and assuming a hotel near 'Paris' on the booking site is actually in Paris.

None of these are expensive mistakes in money — they are expensive in the first impression of the trip.

Moving around the city during your stay

Paris itself is a walking and metro city — you will rarely need a car inside the centre. Where private transport earns its place: the airport runs, Disneyland Paris (€100/€140 from the city), Versailles (€100/€140), a day trip, or an evening where the metro at midnight with shopping bags stops looking fun.

For anything with multiple stops — meetings, shopping, a custom sightseeing loop — hourly hire from €65/h sedan / €80/h van keeps a car and driver with you.

What to book before you fly

Three bookings make a first Paris trip run on rails: the arrival transfer (land tired, walk out to your name), the departure transfer (timed backwards from your flight), and any big excursion like Disneyland or Versailles. Everything in between, the city itself provides.

How it works with Paris DRIVIP

Direct online booking and WhatsApp support
Price set at booking on routes with a fixed fare
Meet and greet in the arrivals hall with a name board
Flight tracking and up to 60 minutes of free waiting after landing

Start your first Paris trip calmly

Name-board welcome, fixed price from €80, flight tracking included.

Book my arrival transfer

Frequently asked questions

Which Paris airport is closest to the city?

Orly, about 15 km south — 30–40 minutes by car. CDG is 30 km north-east, 45–60 minutes. Beauvais is 85 km away.

How much should a ride from CDG to Paris cost?

A pre-booked private transfer is €80 sedan / €130 van, fixed. Taxis have regulated flat fares; ride-hailing varies with demand.

Is the RER train a good idea with luggage?

It works, but expect stairs, crowds and a final walk — with children or more than one large suitcase per person, a door-to-door transfer is worth the difference.

How do I avoid taxi scams at the airport?

Never accept a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal. Use the official taxi queue outside, or pre-book a driver who waits with your name.

Should I book the return transfer in advance?

Yes — the pick-up is timed backwards from your flight with a traffic buffer, and departure morning runs itself.

First time in Paris: the airport-to-city transport guide you actually need