We're returning to the US on an 8:00 AM flight from Paris (charles ee gaulle airport). Given how early you need to be at the airport for international flights (6:00 AM), I'm wondering to ensure that we get to the airport on time. We could sleep there, but I'd rather not. How early does public transportation run? Would a taxi work? If so, can/should I make reservations the night before? I don't want to miss our flight home.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
The general recommendation is to arrive at CDG a full three hours before a flight across the Atlantic. However, for early departures when the airport is less busy, 2 1/2 hours should be OK. The first RER B train to CDG originates at Gare du Nord. It departs at 04:53 and arrives at 05:30 (not 05:56). The current fare for a single ticket is 8.50 EUR. Unless you stay within walking distance of Gare du Nord, you would need to take a taxi from your hotel to the station. Or you could take a taxi all the way. In either case you can have your hotel book one for you.
There are some budget hotels near CDG that offer free shuttle bus service to the airport. If you want details, just ask.
Posted by
Fox Island, USA
88 posts
We stayed at the ETAP hotel at CDG last year when we had an early morning departure and it was fine. It certainly isn't charming; it is spare and modern, but it was also clean, cheap and convenient. We used the shuttle that was waiting in the parking lot of the hotel and it took us straight to the airport.The shuttles left every 20 minutes. For me it was worth it to alleviate anxiety about getting to the airport from Paris.