Paris has three airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the main international hub 23 km north-east of the city; Orly (ORY), the closer airport 13 km to the south used for domestic, European and some long-haul flights; and Beauvais–Tillé (BVA), a low-cost airport 85 km north used mainly by Ryanair and Wizz Air. Which one you fly into depends on your airline — but it has a big effect on how long and how much it costs to reach central Paris.
This guide compares all three so you can choose the right airport when you have a choice, and know what to expect when you do not.
CDG vs Orly vs Beauvais at a glance
| Charles de Gaulle | Orly | Beauvais–Tillé | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code (IATA) | CDG | ORY | BVA |
| Distance to central Paris | ~23 km NE | ~13 km S | ~85 km N |
| Fastest transit to Paris | RER B train, ~35 min | Orlyval + RER, or tram, ~35 min | Express coach, ~1h15 + metro |
| Airlines | Air France, Delta, Emirates & most long-haul | Transavia, Vueling, some Air France & long-haul | Ryanair, Wizz Air |
| Best for | International & connecting flights | Short-haul, domestic, closer to city | Cheap fares (if you plan the transfer) |
Charles de Gaulle (CDG): the main international hub
Charles de Gaulle is Paris's largest airport and the second-busiest in Europe. It is the home base of Air France and the main gateway for long-haul and connecting flights — if you are flying in from outside Europe, you will almost certainly land here. It has three terminal areas (T1, T2 and T3) and its own TGV high-speed rail station.
Reaching the city is straightforward: the RER B train runs to Gare du Nord and Châtelet in about 35 minutes, and there are fixed-fare taxis and private transfers. See the full breakdown in our CDG to Paris guide and the transfer cost comparison.
Orly (ORY): closer to the city
Orly sits just 13 km south of Paris, making it the closest of the three. It handles a lot of domestic French routes, European short-haul and a growing number of long-haul services. For many central-Paris destinations it is more convenient than CDG simply because it is nearer. Transit options include the Orlyval shuttle to RER B, tram T7 to the metro, the Orlybus, and the new Metro Line 14 extension.
Beauvais (BVA): low-cost, but far out
Despite being marketed as "Paris Beauvais", Beauvais–Tillé is 85 km north of the city — well over an hour away. It exists almost entirely for low-cost carriers, chiefly Ryanair and Wizz Air. A dedicated express coach connects the airport to Porte Maillot in western Paris, timed around flights, taking roughly 1 hour 15 minutes. Factor the coach fare and travel time into any "cheap" Beauvais fare before you book — the savings can disappear once you add the transfer.
Which Paris airport should I fly into?
If you can choose, Orly is usually the most convenient for a central-Paris stay because it is closest. CDG is unavoidable for most long-haul and connecting flights, and it has the best rail links. Beauvais only makes sense when the fare is significantly cheaper and you have planned the long transfer in advance. In practice, your airline decides for you more often than not.
Which airport is closest to Paris?
Orly is the closest, about 13 km south of the city centre. Charles de Gaulle is around 23 km to the north-east, and Beauvais is by far the furthest at roughly 85 km north.
Do CDG and Orly have a direct connection?
Yes. There is no single direct train, but the two airports are linked by direct coach services and by RER B (from CDG) connecting to Orly transfers. Most travellers changing airports allow around 90 minutes between them. Our guide on getting from CDG to Orly covers every option.
Is Beauvais really a Paris airport?
Only by marketing. Beauvais–Tillé is a regional airport 85 km from Paris, branded "Paris Beauvais" by the low-cost airlines that use it. It is a genuine option for cheap flights, but it is not close to the city, so always check the total journey time and transfer cost before booking.
