CDG Airport Code: What Does CDG Stand For?

The airport code for Paris Charles de Gaulle is CDG — that is its three-letter IATA code, the one printed on your boarding pass and luggage tags. Its four-letter ICAO code is LFPG. The airport is named after Charles de Gaulle and is also known as Roissy Airport, after the town of Roissy-en-France where it sits, about 23 km north-east of central Paris.

If you are booking a flight, comparing fares or setting up a transfer, CDG is the code you will use nearly everywhere. This guide explains what the code means, how it differs from the ICAO code, and the codes for the other two Paris airports so you do not book into the wrong one.

What is the CDG airport code?

CDG is the IATA airport code for Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. IATA (the International Air Transport Association) assigns every commercial airport a unique three-letter code that airlines, booking sites and baggage systems use to identify it. When you see a flight listed as LHR → CDG, it means London Heathrow to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

You will find the CDG code on your ticket, your boarding pass, the departure and arrivals boards, and the bar-coded tag attached to any checked bag routed to the airport.

What does CDG stand for?

The letters CDG come from the airport's name — Charles De Gaulle — the French president and wartime leader the airport was named after when it opened in 1974. Unlike some codes that map to a city name, CDG was assigned directly from the person the airport honours, which is why it does not spell out "Paris" or "Roissy".

CDG or LFPG? IATA and ICAO codes explained

Airports actually have two official codes, and they are used by different people:

• IATA code — CDG (3 letters). Used for tickets, baggage tags, booking sites and everyday travel. This is the one you need.
• ICAO code — LFPG (4 letters). Used by pilots, air-traffic control and flight planning. In the ICAO system, LF is France, and PG identifies the Paris–Charles de Gaulle field.

For anything a traveller does — buying tickets, checking the CDG arrivals board or booking a ride into town — you use CDG.

Airport codes for all three Paris airports

Paris is served by three airports, and mixing up their codes is a common and expensive mistake. Always check the code before you book.

Not sure which one your flight uses? Our guide to CDG vs Orly vs Beauvais compares all three and helps you pick.

Where do I find the CDG code on my ticket?

Look for the three-letter code next to the departure and arrival cities. Your itinerary will show something like JFK → CDG for a New York to Paris flight. On your checked-bag tag, the destination airport's code (CDG) is printed large near the barcode — a quick way to confirm your luggage is routed to the right airport before you hand it over.

Is CDG the same as Roissy Airport?

Yes. CDG, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Roissy Airport and Roissy–Charles-de-Gaulle all refer to the same airport. "Roissy" comes from Roissy-en-France, the commune where the airport is located, and locals often use that name. The IATA code is always CDG regardless of which name you see.

Does CDG have more than one terminal code?

No — the whole airport shares one code, CDG, across all of its terminals (Terminal 1, Terminal 2 with halls 2A–2G, and Terminal 3). The terminal only affects where you check in and board, not the airport code. See our CDG terminals guide to find yours.

Getting from CDG into Paris

Once you have landed at CDG, the fastest budget option into the city is the RER B train, with taxis at a fixed fare and private transfers also available. Compare every option and price in our CDG to Paris transfer cost guide and the full Charles de Gaulle to Paris transport guide.