Best way to travel from Caen train station to Charles de Gaulle airport

Posted by MDtraveler on 06/26/25 11:26 PM

Hello,

We will be traveling from Paris to Caen on 9/20 of this year, renting a car, and then exploring Normandy for five days. I bought the train ticket from Paris Saint Lazare station to Caen. Our flight home is from Charles de Gaulle on 9/25 and I'm wondering what is the best way to get from the Caen station after we return our car to the airport? I looked at trains and there are very limited times right now. Is it better to take the train to a Paris station like Saint Lazare and then a cab to the airport for more flexibility? Or am I looking in the wrong place? Andy help would be appreciated.

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

06/27/25 12:13 AM

6350 posts

Unless your flight home is in the evening, I would STRONGLY recommend returning to Paris the evening before your departure. While I am seeing trains to Paris as early as 0500 on the 25th, no one can predict when the stuff might hit the fan. There could be an equipment malfunction, track disruption or some other misadventures that could delay or cancel your train. That leaves you scrambling for a plan B, which is no way to end a vacation.

In any event, there are many trains from Caen to Paris St Lazare, with the direct ones taking slightly over 2 hours. From there you can take a taxi to the airport for a fixed price and around 40-45 minutes. This would likely be faster than taking the less frequent trains to CDG, most likely requiring a change at Le Mans.

You can check all this on the SNCF website. https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/home/search/od

Posted by MDtraveler OP

06/27/25 12:28 AM

3 posts

Thank you. Our flight home is at 6:00 pm. Sounds like train to Paris and then taxi may be the best option.

Posted by balso

Paris

06/27/25 01:08 PM

7546 posts

With a flight at 6 PM, I would just keep the car and drive to CDG. It is a 3-hour drive, and since you will drive in the middle of the day, you will avoid rush hour. Leave plenty of time! I would leave Caen in the morning, no later than 11:00 to have a bit of buffer, and probably a bit earlier to have time to meander, have lunch, etc.

If you do that, arriving from the A13, to get to CDG I recommend exiting at J9 towards Les Mureaux on D14, crossing the Seine, then D28 to a different D14 to the A15 to Cergy-Pontoise, and N184/N104 to CDG airport. This is the route.
And remember to pay the A13 toll online immediately after your trip (it's a barrier-free toll road).

Posted by MDtraveler OP

06/27/25 04:43 PM

3 posts

Thanks. But I think the train is our plan.

Posted by PharmerPhil

Middletown, RI

06/29/25 07:12 PM

1390 posts

Just to add another option...

Once you get to Gare Saint-Lazare, a seven minute walk away is the Opera Garnier. From there, you can take the RoissyBus directly to CDG. It is €13 per person, with as much luggage as you can physically carry yourself. It is a much better deal for one, less so for two, and then the taxi makes much more sense for 3–4 or more. The taxi is €65 for up to four people, and will help load your bags. But both go directly to CDG arrivals, and both can use the high-speed taxi/bus lanes. Ûber can't take those lanes, but depending on the time of day, they could be a decent option—particularly if you find it hard to get taxi.