Paris hotels near Paris airportss Compared: The Ultimate Guide

One of the most important decisions when planning your Paris trip is choosing which airport to fly into. Paris is served by three airports — Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), and Beauvais-Tillé (BVA) — and the right choice depends on your departure city, budget, airline preferences, and where you are staying in Paris. Each airport has distinct advantages and disadvantages that can significantly impact your travel experience, total cost, and time spent how to get from Paris airports to the city center your hotel. This comprehensive comparison guide covers everything you need to know to make the best choice for your specific situation.

The three airports are very different in size, location, and character. CDG is a massive international hub 25 km northeast of the city. Orly is a smaller, more manageable airport 18 km south of Paris. Beauvais is a distant low-cost airport 85 km north that requires a long bus transfer. Understanding these differences is essential for a smooth start to your Paris vacation. For more details, check out our guide to Paris airport transfers compared.

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) — The Main Hub

Location: 25 km northeast of Paris (Roissy-en-France). Annual passengers: Approximately 76 million (2nd busiest in Europe). Terminals: Terminal 1 (circular, handles international carriers), Terminal 2 (A-K halls, hub for Air France and SkyTeam), Terminal 3 (low-cost and charter). Airlines: Air France (main hub), Delta, United, American, British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Qatar, Turkish Airlines, and virtually all major international carriers. Destinations: Over 300 destinations worldwide including direct flights from virtually every major city in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For more details, check out our flights to Paris.

Transfer to Paris: The RER B train takes 35 minutes to central Paris for €11.45, running every 6-15 minutes. The RoissyBus takes 60 minutes to Opéra for €16.60. Taxis charge a fixed fare of €55 to the right bank and €62 to the left bank. Private transfers cost €55-85. Pros: Best connectivity, most flight options, direct long-haul flights. Cons: Can be crowded and confusing, higher short-haul prices, longer security lines during peak hours.

Orly Airport (ORY) — The Convenient Choice

Location: 18 km south of Paris. Annual passengers: Approximately 33 million. Terminals: Orly West (gates 1-10) and Orly South (gates A-R), connected by free shuttle. Airlines: Air France (domestic and European), Transavia France, easyJet, Vueling, Royal Air Maroc. Destinations: Approximately 120 destinations, primarily in France, Europe, and North Africa.

Transfer to Paris: Orlyval + RER B takes 30-40 minutes for €12.50 total. OrlyBus goes directly to Denfert-Rochereau in 30-40 minutes for €9.50. Taxis charge €37 to the right bank, €47 to the left bank. Bus 183 and Tram T7 cost just €2.15. Pros: Closer to Paris, smaller and easier to navigate, shorter lines, generally cheaper for European routes, better for southern Paris destinations. Cons: Limited long-haul options, fewer airlines than CDG, no direct flights from North America.

Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) — The Budget Option

Location: 85 km north of Paris. Annual passengers: Approximately 4 million. Terminal: One small single terminal. Airlines: Almost exclusively Ryanair. Destinations: Approximately 80 destinations, mostly in Europe.

Transfer to Paris: Official shuttle bus takes 75-90 minutes to Porte Maillot for €17.99 each way. No train connection. Taxis cost €100-130 and take about 80 minutes. Pros: Often the cheapest airfares, especially from the UK and Ireland (sometimes under €20 one-way). Cons: Very far from Paris, long and expensive transfer, limited to Ryanair, no train, total travel time can be 4+ hours from landing to hotel.

Head-to-Head Comparison

  • Distance from Paris: CDG 25 km | Orly 18 km | Beauvais 85 km
  • Transfer time: CDG 35-60 min | Orly 30-40 min | Beauvais 75-90 min
  • Cheapest transfer: CDG €11.45 (RER B) | Orly €2.15 (Bus 183) | Beauvais €17.99 (shuttle)
  • Best for long-haul: CDG ✅ | Orly ❌ | Beauvais ❌
  • Best for European budget: CDG ⚠️ | Orly ✅ | Beauvais ✅ (cheapest fares)
  • Easiest navigation: CDG ⚠️ | Orly ✅ | Beauvais ✅ (tiny)
  • Facilities: CDG ✅ | Orly ✅ | Beauvais ⚠️ (basic)

Our Recommendation

If flying from outside Europe, CDG is almost always your best option — most direct flights, best transfer connections, most convenient location. If flying from within Europe, compare Orly and CDG carefully — Orly may be cheaper and more convenient, especially if staying in southern Paris. Choose Beauvais only if savings are truly significant (at least €50-70 cheaper than Orly/CDG) to offset the extra transfer time and cost. Always factor in the full picture: flight price + transfer cost + transfer time = your real total cost.