Home / CDG Airport -Transfer Between Terminals

CDG Airport -Transfer Between Terminals

Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris is one of the biggest airports in the world. There are three main terminals at CDG airport Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is again divided into seven sub-terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and 2G.

Moving around the terminals of CDG is very confusing because of the size of the airport and the language issues. To make your transit comfortable, the airport authority offers shuttle buses and metros to travel between the terminals of the CDG Airport. So the passengers are not required to leave the international zone and go through the check-in process again. The airport shuttle CDGVAL takes 10 minutes to travel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Now you can imagine the size of the airport!

In the following sections, we aim to provide information on various transfers within the CDG airport. Utilizing the map will make it easier for you to comprehend the details.

CDG Airport Map

Charles de Gaulle Paris Airport detailed map

Tips for moving around CDG Airport

Once you have landed at CDG Airport, after you get off from the flight you might see these three signboards as seen below. These signboards will be your best companion throughout your journey at CDG Airport. Even if you do not know the language, these signboards will guide you to your destination.

To exit from your terminal

Exit-sign-in-CDG-Airport

Follow the “Exit” signboard if your last destination is CDG and you don’t have any check-in baggage. If you are coming from a Schengen area, you can go directly to the exit. If you are coming from a non-Schengen country, you will go through your passport control and then you can go to the exit. 

Baggage collection

Bagage-sign-in-CDG-Airport

Follow the “Bagages” signboard if you have checked-in baggage to be collected from CDG. If you are coming from a Schengen country you can go directly to the baggage collection area. Confirm your baggage arriving belt number from the information display. If you are an international passenger, first you will have to pass through your passport control and then you can go to collect your baggage. After collecting your baggage, If your last destination is CDG, you can take the exit and start exploring Paris. If you have a connection flight from another terminal, (this case happens if you booked your connection flight separately) go to that terminal and check in again.

Transfer

Transfer-sign-in-CDG-Airport

If you have a direct transfer, you should follow the yellow transfer signboard at CDG Airport. CDG airport uses a yellow colour code to show the way for transfers. So, follow the yellow if you have a transfer!

If you booked your tickets through the same airline operator or you have only one reference number on your ticket ( even if you travel by two airline operators, eg: Air France + KLM) you can use the direct transfer. If you have any doubts about your baggage collection, ask your flight agent at the time of your check-in. On your transit, you may or may not have to pass through the security check and passport control depending on your destination. 

Important: If you don’t have a Schengen visa and if you want to exit the international zone, you must apply for a short-stay visa.

Journey Through CDG Airport: A Step-by-Step Guide

Steps-to-follow-after-arrival-at-CDG

Expected time for transfer at CDG

CDG airport has 9 terminals in 4 different buildings. So the transfer time will depend on your terminals.

It will take 30-40 minutes for transfers within the same terminal and it may extend to 60-95 minutes if you need to change your terminal. Check the transfer time between each terminal at CDG Airport.

Transfers In CDG Airport

Choose your terminal for your tarnsfer

Book a taxi from CDG Airport

Pre-book your taxi and the driver will wait for you on the day of your arrival. Even in case of flight delays, your driver monitors it and will arrive accordingly.

Main highlights

  • Local English-speaking drivers
  • Flat, pre-paid fee
  • Flight monitoring for delays
  • 24/7 Customer support
  • On-demand child seat
  • On-demand wheelchair-accessible vehicle
book a taxi from cdg to Paris

Passport check and security check for transit passengers in CDG Airport

If you are coming from a Schengen country and going to a Schengen country, then you are free from security checks and passport control at the CDG Airport.

If you are coming from a Schengen country and going to a non-Schengen country, then you will have to pass through passport control at the CDG Airport. If you hold a European passport, you can use the rapid automatic screening system.

If you are coming from a non-Schengen country and going to a Schengen country, then you will have to pass through passport control and security checks at the CDG Airport.

If you are coming from a non-Schengen country and going to a non-Schengen country, then you will have to pass through the security checks at the CDG Airport.

List of Schengen countries

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland 

Rapid automatic screening (Parafe)

The Parafe system, a swift border-crossing solution at external borders, enables automated screening of travellers in France as they enter or exit the Schengen area. 

How the parafe works

  • Stand alone at the entrance of the Parafe gate.
  • Take off your glasses, scarf, hat, and mask.
  • Gently position your passport on the reader at the gate, ensuring it’s open to the page with your photo.
  • Once your passport is read, step into the gate.
  • Face the camera for facial recognition and pay attention to the instructions appearing on the screen within the gate.
  • Once the border crossing checks are done, and the gate doors swing open, you are free to exit the gate chamber. Safe travels!

Related Posts

You may also like

Long transit?

lady sitting at the airport

If you have long layovers at CDG why would you waste your time by sitting there? Plan a short trip to the city of Paris. Visit the Notre dame cathedral, The Louvre museum, Arc de Triomphe, and many more.. Visit our pages Batobus and Open bus tour to easily plan your itinerary and take full advantage of your time in Paris. Don’t worry, we will help you to plan your itinerary. Store your luggage in a safe place, a left luggage service is available inside terminal 2 near the railway station opposite the Sheraton hotel. Then take the RER B train or a taxi to reach the Paris center. If you take RER, get down at Notre dame station (total journey time 55 minutes) and from there you will get the hop-on hop-off services mentioned, Batobus or Open bus tours. A complete circuit of these services takes a maximum of 2.15 hrs.  Different passes are available according to your availability. Once you finish, take the RER B from the same station to CDG airport. That’s it you are back in CDG.

∗ Make sure you have a valid visa to get out of the airport. 

300*252

Affiliate Disclosure – Some blog posts and web pages within this site contain affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you click the link and purchase a product or service from the third party website. Purchasing a product or service from the links does not increase your purchase cost. However, it is a great way to say ‘thanks’ to me if you enjoyed reading my content and found my suggestions helpful. Please note that I only recommend products and services that I have personally used or have thoroughly researched. All guidances are based on my personal experience and research. I really appreciate your action of clicking the affiliate links for a purchase, and is a great motivation for me to keep going.