Charles de Gaulle Airport at a glance
Charles de Gaulle Airport lies next to the village of Roissy-en-France, north of Paris, and is often called Roissy or CDG. Today you find your way by Terminals 1, 2 and 3. The free CDGVAL train links the main areas, but not every single gate, and Terminal 2 is split into several halls with their own shuttles.
Most travelers need the same few things: a way into Paris, a place to leave a bag, free Wi-Fi and a clear idea of the checks ahead. If you land with several hours to spare, the Paris layover tours show what is on offer. Whether you may leave the airport at all depends on your passport and your connection, see the layover section below.
How the airport is laid out
CDGVAL is free and runs from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. Its stops, in order, are Terminal 1, Parking PR, Terminal 3 and Roissypole, Parking PX and Terminal 2. Between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. a replacement bus takes over. Terminal 2 also has two free shuttle lines of its own, and the station for the TGV and RER sits underneath it.
Two rail stations serve the airport on the RER B: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 at Roissypole, from where you change to CDGVAL for Terminal 1, and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV for the Terminal 2 group. The full walk-through is on the terminals page.
The direct CDG Express rail link is announced for 28 March 2027. For a trip in 2026 it is not an option. New terminal names are also announced for March 2027, and tickets for later trips may already show them. Keep using Terminals 1, 2 and 3 until the signs change.
Our pick: lounge access
For a long wait between flights, this lounge offers food, drinks and a family room.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Paris tours and layover trips from CDG
City tours, day trips and layover options, with live prices and availability.
Luggage storage at the airport
Indicative prices from 2026. The booking you see may differ.
A private luggage agency operates at Terminal 2, in the TGV and RER station, on level 3. It is open daily from about 6 or 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the day. Check the hours before you rely on a bag drop. Also check whether you can reach the agency on your route, before or after security and passport control.
| Bag size | Per hour | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin size, up to 55 cm | from €3 | from €10 |
| Medium, 56 to 75 cm | from €4 | from €15 |
| Large, over 75 cm | from €5 | from €20 |
These are starting prices for 2026, not a quote for your bag. For most layovers of a few hours, one cabin-size bag at the hourly rate is the cheapest way to travel light.
Security, liquids and the border
Rules that decide how much time you need.
Liquids in hand luggage
Containers must hold less than 100 ml and fit in one transparent bag of at most 1 liter. Larger containers are not allowed as normal cabin baggage. Medicines and baby food follow separate rules, and new scanners do not mean you can carry big bottles.
New border system
The EU Entry/Exit System registers eligible non-EU travelers with biometric data. It started in stages on 12 October 2025 and was planned to run fully by 10 April 2026. Leave extra time at passport control, because queues vary.
Checks when you change planes
Depending on your route, you pass security or passport control again. Follow the yellow signs and the airport screens. No fixed waiting time applies.
Free Wi-Fi
The network is called WIFI-AIRPORT. It is free and unlimited, but the speed can vary.
Using a layover at CDG
Leaving the airport is a decision about papers and time.
An airport transit visa does not let you enter the Schengen area. If you want to leave the international zone, the entry rules for your passport or residence status apply. Visa-required travelers need a suitable short-stay Schengen visa for entry.
Time is the second limit. On a single booking, the airline takes minimum connection times into account. With separate tickets, leaving enough time is your responsibility. A layover tour may have a minimum of 4 hours of service and a Paris visit within about 6 hours, but that describes a product, not a rule for every traveler. Plan for baggage handling and checks before you leave, and for the return trip. The CDG to Paris page shows how to reach the city, and the weather page helps you pick clothes.
Before and after the flight
Three pages for the usual next steps.
Charles de Gaulle Airport: frequently asked questions
How many terminals does Charles de Gaulle Airport have?
Three terminal groups are on the signs today: Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 2 is divided into several halls. See the terminals page for the connections.
Is there free Wi-Fi at the airport?
Yes. The network is called WIFI-AIRPORT and is free and unlimited. The speed can vary.
Where can I leave my luggage?
A luggage agency operates at Terminal 2, in the TGV and RER station, level 3. Cabin-size bags start at €3 an hour or €10 a day in 2026. Opening hours are roughly 6 or 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., so check before you go.
What can I carry in liquids?
Containers under 100 ml, all in one transparent bag of at most 1 liter. Larger containers are not allowed as normal cabin baggage. Medicines and baby food follow separate rules.
Can I leave the airport during a layover?
It depends on your passport and your connection. An airport transit visa does not allow entry into the Schengen area. Read the layover section above and the tours page before you plan.
Is Roissy.org the official airport website?
No. This guide is not run by or connected to Groupe ADP, the airport operator, the municipality of Roissy-en-France, RATP, SNCF or any tour operator, car park or hotel.