How to Get from CDG and Orly to Central Paris (Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Kids)

How to Get from CDG and Orly to Central Paris (Without Losing Your Sanity or Your Kids)

Arriving in Paris with small children is a bit like landing on a movie set—one where you’re cast as both the hero and the pack mule. The good news: getting from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY) airports to downtown Paris doesn’t have to be a plot twist. Here’s a practical, parent-tested guide to navigating your arrival—with wit, wisdom, and only a mild amount of self-doubt.

Charles de Gaulle (CDG): The Grand Entrance

RER B Train: The Efficient (and Affordable) Choice

• What it is: Paris’s suburban express train, direct from the airport to the city center.

• How it works: Follow the signs for “RER B” in your terminal (or take the free CDGVAL shuttle if you land at Terminal 1 or 3). Buy tickets at machines or kiosks—adults under €12, kids €8. Trains depart every 10-15 minutes and whisk you to central stations like Gare du Nord, Châtelet-Les Halles, and Saint-Michel in about 30-40 minutes576.

• Parent points: Stroller-friendly, fast, and you can practice your “no, please don’t lick the handrail” in French.

• Watch out for: Crowds at rush hour and the occasional broken escalator (cue upper-arm workout).

  
  

Taxi: The Door-to-Door Dream

• What it is: A regulated taxi line outside each terminal.

• How it works: Fixed fare—€53 to the Left Bank, €58 to the Right Bank. The ride takes 30-50 minutes, depending on traffic and whether your child’s snack stash holds out76.

• Parent points: No transfers, no stairs, just you, your luggage, and the soothing hum of Parisian traffic.

• Watch out for: Traffic jams and the existential dread of watching the meter tick up if you opt for a non-fixed fare.

  
  

RoissyBus: The Middle Ground

• What it is: Direct bus from CDG to Opéra in central Paris.

• How it works: Leaves every 15-20 minutes, costs €16.50, takes about an hour. Buy tickets at machines or onboard1.

• Parent points: Luggage storage, no train changes.

• Watch out for: Parisian traffic and the possibility of “Are we there yet?” on repeat.

  
  

Orly (ORY): The Southern Gateway

Metro Line 14: The New Kid (and Fastest Option)

• What it is: The recently extended Metro line, direct from Orly to central Paris.

• How it works: Board at the station near Terminal 3 (easy walk from all terminals), trains every 2-5 minutes, €13 for an airport ticket. You’ll be downtown in about 25 minutes.

• Parent points: Fast, frequent, and step-free.

• Watch out for: The temptation to brag about your transit savvy.

  
  

OrlyBus: The Classic

• What it is: Express bus from Orly to Place Denfert-Rochereau.

• How it works: Leaves every 10-15 minutes, €13, takes about 30 minutes. Buy tickets at machines or with a Paris Visite Pass1.

• Parent points: Direct, with connections to Metro and RER.

• Watch out for: Not valid for onward Metro travel—so budget for a second ticket if you need to transfer.

  
  

Taxi: The Stress-Free Splurge

• What it is: Official taxis outside each terminal.

• How it works: Fixed fare—€32 to the Left Bank, €37 to the Right Bank. About 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic7.

• Parent points: No wrangling kids or luggage through ticket gates.

• Watch out for: Parisian rush hour, which can turn a 30-minute ride into a slow-motion tour of the périphérique.

  
  

Pro Tips for Parents

• Strollers: All options are stroller-friendly, but trains and buses may be crowded at peak times.

• Tickets: Buy at airport machines with cards or cash; keep tickets handy for exit gates.

• Luggage: Taxis and buses offer more space for bags (and emergency snacks).

• Apps: Download Bonjour RATP or Citymapper for real-time transit updates and route planning.