Which terminal do CDG flights depart from?
Paris Charles de Gaulle has three terminals, and your departure terminal depends on your airline and alliance rather than your destination. Always check the terminal printed on your boarding pass, but the general pattern at CDG is:
| Terminal | Who mainly departs here |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, SAS, United, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Air China) and several other long-haul airlines. Recently renovated. |
| Terminal 2E / 2F / 2G | Air France and its SkyTeam partners (KLM, Delta). Long-haul flights use Hall 2E; short-haul and Schengen flights use 2F; regional flights use 2G. |
| Terminal 2A / 2C / 2D | oneworld carriers such as British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia and Qatar Airways, plus a mix of other international airlines. |
| Terminal 3 | Low-cost and charter airlines (easyJet, Vueling, Transavia, Wizz Air and holiday charters). |
The live departures board above lists every flight with its terminal, gate and real-time status, so use it together with your boarding pass to confirm where to check in. For a full airline-by-terminal breakdown, see our guide to airlines at Paris CDG and the detailed CDG terminals guide.
Check-in and bag drop times
Check-in desks and bag drop at CDG typically open two to three hours before departure and close 40 to 60 minutes before a long-haul flight, and around 30 to 40 minutes before a short-haul European flight. If you are only travelling with hand luggage and have checked in online, you can go straight to security. Because CDG is a large hub with several halls, allow extra time to find the right check-in zone, especially in Terminal 2.
How much time to allow before your flight
As a rule of thumb, arrive at least 2 hours before a Schengen or short-haul flight and 3 hours before a long-haul or international flight. The busiest departure waves are early morning (roughly 5:00–8:00) and late afternoon into the evening, when security and passport queues are longest. Travelling outside those peaks, or using the automated PARAFE e-gates if you are eligible, can save significant time.
Security, passport control and liquids
After check-in you pass through security screening and, for flights leaving the Schengen area, passport control. Since 2025 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU travellers with a photo and fingerprints on first use, which can add time at Terminal 2E — build this into your buffer. Review the CDG liquid rules before you pack so nothing is confiscated at the checkpoint.
Getting to CDG in time for departure
The RER B train is the fastest link from central Paris to the airport, reaching Terminal 2 in about 30 minutes; from there the free CDGVAL shuttle train connects all terminals. A taxi from Paris runs on official fixed fares of €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank, and Uber also serves the airport. See every option, with prices and journey times, in our guide on getting between CDG and central Paris. Landing instead of leaving? Check the live CDG arrivals board.
