< Introducing Paris
Getting to Paris
Travellers waiting in the departure lounge, Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle Airport
Paris is an important air hub, and direct flights from around the world serve its two main international airports. Paris is also a major hub of Europe’s high-speed rail network, including Eurostar from London, Thalys from Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne, and high-speed TGVs from Geneva and Frankfurt and most larger French cities. Many major motorways converge here from neighbouring countries including, via the Channel Tunnel, the United Kingdom.
Arriving by air
Air France is the main French airline. From the UK, British Airways, Flybe, easyJet and Jet2 fly regularly to Paris. Ryanair flies to Beauvais-Tillé airport, from Scotland, England and Ireland.
From the USA there are regular direct flights on American Airlines, United and Delta. As well as Air Canada and Qantas from Australia and New Zealand.
Flight times to Paris average an hour from London and 90 minutes from Dublin. Montreal is 7 hours, New York is 8 hours, Los Angeles is 12 hours and Sydney is 23 hours.
Airports
Paris airports have good facilities for families, including free play areas, Playstations, baby-changing areas and buggy loan.
Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG)
Most international flights arrive at Roissy Charles-de-Gaulle, 30 km (19 miles) northeast of Paris. It has three terminals, two of which – T1 and T2 – are linked by a driverless train. The best option for travelling into the city will depend on which part of Paris is your destination.
The RER line B is the fastest route into the centre, about 40 minutes, stopping at Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles, St-Michel–Notre-Dame and Luxembourg. Trains run every 15 minutes from 4:58am to 11:58pm. The RER station is within walking distance of T3.
Air France buses run daily every 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm from both terminals with links to Métro Etoile (40 minutes); and from 6am to 10:30pm to Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse (50 minutes). The RATP Roissybus runs daily every 15–20 minutes from 5:45am to 11pm to Opera Garnier, and is the easiest option if you are travelling to the Grands Boulevards area.
A taxi from CDG to central Paris takes between 30 minutes and an hour, and costs over €60, with a minibus for a large family up to €100. The VEA bus, which can be booked online, is a frequent and direct shuttle to Disneyland® Paris.
Orly (ORY)
Domestic and international flights arrive at the airport’s two terminals 18 km (11 miles) south of the city. Air France buses leave from both terminals every 30 minutes from 6am to 11:40pm and stop at Invalides and Montparnasse. The Orlybus runs to Denfert-Rochereau (about 30 minutes) every 15–20 minutes from 6am to 11:50pm Mon–Fri, and until 12:50am on weekends. Orlyval is an automatic metro link from both terminals, and connects with RER line B at Métro Anthony. Taxis take about 45 minutes – expect to pay €40 or more. The VEA bus links direct to Disneyland® Paris.
The Orlyval train connects Orly Airport to the Métro system
Beauvais-Tillé
Beauvais, 70 km (44 miles) north of Paris, is used by charter flights and some budget carriers like Ryanair. Buses depart for Porte Maillot 15–30 minutes after each arrival, and leave Porte Maillot for the airport 3 hours and 15 minutes prior to departure. There is also a VEA bus service to Disneyland® Paris.
RATP Roissy/Orly bus
3246 (within France);
0892684114;
www.ratp.fr
Arriving by rail
The easiest way to get to Paris from within France and from Belgium, Holland, western Germany and southern Britain is by train. There are even special family carriages on Eurostar trains, which also has a direct service to Disneyland® Paris.
Via the vast network of TGV and SNCF routes, Gare d’Austerlitz serves central and southwest France and Spain; Gare de Bercy connects with Italy and eastern Spain, and also Burgundy. Gare de l’Est links to eastern France, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg, and Gare de Lyon has connections to southeastern France, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhône-Alpes, the Riviera and Geneva. Trains for Brittany, western and southwestern France leave from Gare Montparnasse, and for Normandy from Gare St-Lazare. Gare du Nord has Eurostar connections to London St Pancras, the Channel ports and northeast France. There are also high-speed Thalys connections to Germany, Belgium and Holland.
Ice-cream stand at the Eurostar terminal, Gare du Nord
Arriving by car
If you are driving to Paris, factor in the cost of motorway tolls, and bring your driving licence and the car’s registration and insurance papers. Major motorways link Paris to all Europe’s neighbouring cities, with no border controls. The Périphérique ring road runs around the city; the exits lead to portes, or gates, which open into the city.
If driving from the UK, the best option may be Eurotunnel, as it can cut the journey time and is not affected by bad sea conditions. P&O sail to Calais, and Irish Ferries from Rosslare to Cherbourg and Roscoff.
There is plenty of parking in central Paris, but it is still advisable to reserve a parking space through Parkings de Paris.
Arriving by coach
The main coach operator to Paris is Eurolines. International coach services arrive at Gare Routière Internationale de Paris-Gallieni at Porte de Bagnolet in eastern Paris. From here, take Métro line 3 to change to the line you need.
Gare Routière Internationale de Paris-Gallieni
28 Ave du Général de Gaulle, 93170 Bagnolet; 0892899091