Can you sleep at Paris CDG airport?
Yes — you can sleep at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, but no terminal stays open around the clock. Most terminals close their public areas for a few hours in the middle of the night, so a true 24-hour stay means either staying airside after passport control, booking the airside YotelAir cabins in Terminal 2E, or checking into one of the transit hotels a short walk or free shuttle from the terminals. This guide covers the free rest areas by terminal, the paid options, and how to stay safe and comfortable overnight.
In brief
- No terminal is open 24/7 — most public areas close roughly between midnight and 4:00–4:30 AM. Airside (after security), the wait between a late arrival and an early departure is easier.
- Terminal 2E is the best base — it has the most seating, an airside rest area, and the only in-airport hotel you can reach without leaving security (YotelAir).
- YotelAir Terminal 2E rents small cabins by the hour or night, airside in the Hall L satellite — ideal for a long international layover.
- Transit hotels (Sheraton, Ibis, Novotel, Hilton) sit beside the terminals and offer full nights or day-use rooms; the free CDGVAL shuttle links them 24 hours-ish.
- Bring the basics — most benches have fixed armrests, so an eye mask, earplugs, a light layer, and a way to secure your bag make a big difference.
Is Paris CDG open 24 hours?
No — Charles de Gaulle does not keep its terminals fully open all night. Unlike a few global mega-hubs, each terminal has published opening hours and staff clear and lock the public (landside) halls for a stretch overnight for cleaning and security. If you arrive on a late flight and leave early the next morning, you are usually better off staying airside — past passport control and security — where seating is available and you avoid being asked to leave at closing time. If your itinerary forces you landside overnight (for example, you must re-check in or collect bags), plan for a few hours with limited seating, or book a nearby hotel.
Terminal opening hours and where to rest
Hours vary by terminal and can change seasonally, so treat these as a guide and confirm with your airline. As a rule, the Terminal 2 halls have the most space and the most comfortable spots.
| Terminal | Typical opening hours | Best for sleeping |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | ~04:00 – 00:00 | Compact circular layout; some seating airside, limited landside overnight |
| Terminal 2A / 2C | ~03:30 – 00:30 / 04:00 – 23:00 | Rows of chairs airside; 2A has reclining seats near the gates |
| Terminal 2E / 2F | ~04:00 – 00:00 | The best choice — airside rest area, padded benches, YotelAir in 2E |
| Terminal 2G | ~05:00 – 23:30 | Small regional hall with a few comfortable sofas airside |
| Terminal 3 | ~04:30 – 23:30 | Budget/charter hall; basic seating, felt calmer by some overnight travellers |
Free rest areas and the best places to sleep
If you are not paying for a cabin or hotel, the goal is a quiet corner airside with seating you can stretch out on. Reported favourites among overnight travellers include:
- Terminal 2E, Hall L / Hall M (airside): the calmest zone, with a dedicated rest area, reclining seats, and power outlets. This is the most recommended overnight spot at CDG.
- Terminal 2F (airside): longer padded benches along the windows near the gates — some without dividing armrests, so you can lie flat.
- Terminal 2A (airside): clusters of reclining chairs near the boarding gates.
- Terminal 2G (airside): a small hall with soft sofas that suit a nap.
Landside (before security), seating is thinner and areas may be closed overnight. If you can already go airside for an early flight, do so before the check-in hall empties.
Rest zones and relaxation areas
Charles de Gaulle has added quiet rest zones and relaxation corners in the larger Terminal 2 halls — spaces with softer, lounger-style seating away from the main thoroughfare. They are free to use and open to any passenger airside, though they fill up on busy nights. Look for signposted "espace détente" / relaxation areas, typically near the Hall K, L and M gates in Terminal 2E.
YotelAir Paris CDG — cabins by the hour
For a real bed without leaving the airport, YotelAir is inside Terminal 2E, in the Hall L satellite, airside. It rents compact "cabins" with a proper bed, en-suite bathroom, shower, workspace and Wi-Fi, and you can book by the hour (minimum blocks) or for a full night — perfect for a long international layover when you do not want to clear immigration. Because it sits airside in the non-Schengen zone, it is most convenient for passengers connecting through Hall K/L/M; check your connection allows access. Cabins are popular and sell out on peak nights, so book ahead. There are also shower-only options if you just want to freshen up. See our CDG lounges guide for another way to rest during the day, and the CDG layover guide for planning a longer stopover.
Hotels for a full night's sleep
If you have several hours or an overnight, a nearby hotel is more comfortable than a bench — and cheaper than you might expect for a few hours of day-use. Options right by the terminals:
- Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel — built into Terminal 2, directly above the TGV/RER station; the most convenient walk for early or late Terminal 2 flights.
- Ibis Paris CDG Airport — opposite Terminal 3, reachable on the free CDGVAL shuttle; a reliable budget choice.
- Novotel & Hilton CDG — a short walk or shuttle from Terminal 3, both with day-use rooms for a few hours' rest.
Many of these hotels offer day-use / short-stay rates so you pay only for the hours you need. For the full list and how to reach each one, see our guides to hotels near CDG airport and hotels at the terminals.
Getting between terminals overnight (CDGVAL)
The free automated CDGVAL shuttle train connects all terminals, the train stations and car parks, and runs from around 04:00 to 01:00 with trains every few minutes. That makes it easy to move to Terminal 2 (the best sleeping base) or reach a shuttle hotel late at night. Between about 01:00 and 04:00 the CDGVAL pauses, so plan any terminal change before it stops. For onward travel at dawn, see how to get from CDG to Paris and the RER/train options.
Safety and comfort tips for sleeping at CDG
- Stay airside if you can. Past security is calmer, better monitored, and you will not be moved out at closing time.
- Keep your bags secured. Loop a strap around your arm or a fixed fixture and use a small padlock; never leave luggage unattended (it can also be treated as a security alert and removed).
- Choose a spot near other travellers and within sight of a staffed area or security point rather than an isolated corner.
- Pack a mini sleep kit: eye mask, earplugs, a light layer (terminals get cold at night), and a power bank — outlets are limited.
- Avoid sleeping in the RER/metro station area below the airport; the terminals themselves are the better choice.
- Store big bags first. If you would rather explore or nap unencumbered, use the CDG luggage storage service in Terminal 2.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sleep overnight inside Paris CDG airport?
You can, but no terminal is open 24 hours. Public areas close for a few hours overnight, so the practical way to stay all night is to remain airside after security, book a YotelAir cabin in Terminal 2E, or use a nearby transit hotel. Airside seating in Terminal 2 is the most comfortable free option.
Which CDG terminal is best for sleeping?
Terminal 2E is generally the best. It has the most airside seating, a dedicated rest area with reclining seats and power outlets around Halls K, L and M, and the YotelAir transit hotel. Terminals 2F and 2A also have good airside seating.
Does Paris CDG have sleeping pods or a transit hotel?
Yes. YotelAir in Terminal 2E (Hall L, airside) rents small cabins with a bed, shower and workspace by the hour or for a full night, so you can rest without clearing immigration. It is ideal for long international layovers and can sell out on busy nights, so book ahead.
Is it safe to sleep at Charles de Gaulle airport?
It is generally safe if you take normal precautions: sleep airside near other passengers and staffed areas, keep bags secured to you with a padlock, and avoid isolated corners and the station area below the airport. Solo travellers should pick busier, well-lit zones.
Is Paris CDG open 24 hours a day?
No. Each terminal has set opening hours and the public halls close for a stretch overnight, typically between roughly midnight and 04:00–04:30. The free CDGVAL shuttle between terminals also pauses from about 01:00 to 04:00, so plan any terminal change before then.
