Flight Connections Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport
Connecting flights at Paris-CDG
The most comprehensive guide for transferring between flights at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport.
Related pages > Airport maps > Travel between terminals
Information to plan your journey
Connecting times
While booking your ticket give yourself enough time between flights.
For a smooth transfer at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Europe’s second busiest airport), anticipate a possible delay of your incoming flight, queues at security checks and any terminal changes !
Families travelling with small children and travellers with health or mobility concerns may need a longer connection time…
MINIMUM CONNECTING TIME RECOMMENDED by ″EASY CDG″ :
- 70 minutes intra terminal 1/2/3
- 90 minutes between terminals 1/2/3
Check-in & baggage
If you are travelling on a single ticket
In most cases, your airline should give you all the boarding cards you need, including those for any connecting flights.
Your luggage will be forwarded automatically to your final destination.
- Follow the yellow signs ″Transfer″ upon arrival, do not collect your luggage at Paris-CDG.
If you booked your flights separately with no hold luggage
You have arranged your own flight connections and have a boarding pass ready (no need to check-in) for your next flight at Paris-CDG.
- Follow the yellow signs ″Transfer″ upon arrival.
If you need to check-in
You need a boarding pass and/or your baggage is not checked-through to your final destination.
- Follow the ″Baggage-Exit″ signs, leave the transfer zone, pick up bags then go to the check-in desks for your airline in the departure terminal.
Immigration & Security
Do you have to go through Immigration/French Border and-or Security when transferring at Paris-CDG airport ?
It depends on where you’re flying to and from :
COVID-19 update
Paris-CDG airport is open and welcome all transit passengers (including non-europeans).
You must get tested before traveling if a COVID-19 test is required by your final destination country.
Passengers are denied boarding if they are prohibited from entering the country of destination.
If you change to a connecting flight to France or a Schengen country, you will be subject to French entry policy.
Consult the France Diplomatie information website or the reopen.europa site for your intra-EU trips.
Travelling within the Schengen area
Example : from Berlin to Bordeaux via Paris-CDG
– No passport control nor security check.
If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must pass through security.
Entering the Schengen area
Example : from Los Angeles to Rome via Paris-CDG
– You must pass through passport control & security check.
Leaving the Schengen area
Travelling between non-Schengen countries
Example : from London to Delhi via Paris-CDG
– You must pass through security check ; no passport control nor visa needed.
If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must clear immigration, please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Transfer routes
Select your arrival terminal for a step-by-step guide
Note that we are under refurbishment works.
Sorry for the inconvenience !
Transfer TGV & Orly airport
If you are transiting to a TGV high speed train
Follow the ″Baggage-Exit″ signs, leave the transfer zone, pick up bags then make your way to the railway station underneath terminal 2.
If you are transiting to a connecting flight at Paris-Orly airport
Follow the ″Baggage-Exit″ signs, leave the transfer zone, pick up bags then make your way to Orly airport using Le Bus Direct (Route 3) or trains RER B + ORLYVAL.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I visit Paris during my layover ?
Charles de Gaulle airport is about 26 km (16 miles) from Central Paris, if your layover is at least 6-7 hours it’s worth visiting the city !
A 6 hours layover doesn’t mean that you’ll have six hours to explore Paris, it means you have six hours minus the time it takes to go through immigration, possibly check your luggage into storage, take the train into Paris, take the train back to the airport, and go through security again for your next flight.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Visit our transportation section for information and details about trains, buses, taxis and shuttles to Paris.
Where can I store bags during my layover ?
There are left luggage/baggage storage facilities in terminal 2 public area (close to the train station).
Baggage and luggage items can be stored for a few hours or up to 90 days.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Can I go shopping in a different terminal ?
No, it is not possible to shop in another terminal without a valid boarding pass.
Which terminal for my flight ?
What is my minimum connection time at CDG ?
Your connection time depends on your route, airline and whether you need to pick up baggage or change terminals, so there’s no single answer.
If you book a through-ticket with an airline or travel agent, your airline will generally quote a ″minimum connection time″.
However, if you booked your flights separately, these minimum connection times don’t apply, you should allow plenty of extra time to clear baggage reclaim and passport control, transfer between terminals, then check in and clear security for your outbound flight.
See ″Connecting Times″ section above.
How do I connect at CDG ?
The exact process for connecting at Paris-CDG depends on where you’re flying to and from.
See “Transfer Routes″ section above for a personalized step-by-step connection guide.
How do I ensure that I catch my connecting flight ?
For a stress-free experience, you should plan enough time between your incoming flight and the time of departure of your outgoing flight when purchasing your flight tickets.
The more time you have, the better !
See “Connecting Times” section above.
What should I do if I have missed my connecting flight ?
If you are travelling on a single ticket :
- If the missed connection is the airline’s fault, the airline should rebook you on the next available flight.
If you booked your flights separately :
- Airlines won’t assume responsibility for missed connections on two separate tickets.
Do I need to collect my baggage at CDG ?
To confirm if your bags have been forwarded to your final destination, you may look at the check-in bags receipt that the check-in agent should have issued you at the point of check-in.
If the receipt indicates CDG, your bags are only checked-through to Paris-CDG airport.
In the event that your baggage is not through-checked you must follow signs for Arrivals, reclaim baggage, then check your bags in the departure terminal.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Do I have to go through immigration on connecting flights ?
It depends on where you’re flying to and from !
See ″Immigration & Security″ section above.
Do I need a visa at CDG ?
- Non-EU nationals entering France or travelling to a Schengen country may need a visa, depending on their nationality and on the rules in the country where they wish to travel to.
- Passengers travelling between non-Schengen countries do not need a visa for connecting flights at Paris-CDG.
Does CDG airport have e-gates ?
You can use the ″PARAFE″ smart gates in terminals 1, 3 and 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G.
Citizens (over 18 years old) of the European Union, the European Economic Union and the Swiss Confederation are eligible.
How do I get fast track at CDG airport ?
Fast lanes are available to select passengers only.
Premium and select non-premium passengers will be issued an access voucher from their airline.
Follow the signs marked “Accès no. 1” or “Sky Priority” at immigration and security check.
I have to check-in, where do I go ?
If you need to check-in baggage, you should leave the transfer zone (there are no check-in counters in the transfer zone) and proceed to the departure terminal of your connecting flight.
If you need a boarding pass for your connecting flight, you can use a self service kiosk (available for Air France customers in the transfer zone of terminals 2E & 2F) or proceed to the check-in desks for your airline in the departure terminal (please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements).
How to move in the public area ?
If you have to leave the transfer zone to reach your departure terminal proceed via the public area (landside).
Click here for information !
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Can I bring alcohol that I buy at CDG on to the plane with me ?
It is possible to carry tax and duty free liquids as long as these are packed in a sealed bag with a purchase receipt.
Can I leave the airport transit area ?
You can leave the transit area (and airport) but you’ll have to clear security and/or immigration again on your way back into the terminal.
Citizens from certain countries leaving the transit area may need a visa.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Can I sleep in the airport transit area ?
Yotel cabin hotel, located terminal 2E-hall L (after security), is available for passengers connecting through terminal 2E.
Where can I sleep overnight ?
There is nowhere to sleep in the terminals (except Yotel at terminal 2E) but there’s a great choice of hotels nearby.
If your booking includes a stopover in a local hotel, please follow the signs to Arrivals.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
How do I request extra assistance at CDG ?
You can request additional assistance at the time of booking your flight ticket.
Please ensure that you make your request to your airline or travel agency up to 48 hours before departure.
Is there a smoking area ?
Please not that smoking is not permitted except in the dedicated smoking booths located in all terminals, near the boarding areas.
Does CDG airport have wifi ?
You can enjoy free wireless internet access via your notebook computer or handheld device in all terminals.
Connect to “WIFI-AIRPORT” or “WIFI-AIRPORT-STANDARD“.
Can I take a shower ?
Currently, CDG airport has no public showers.
You may proceed to your airline’s lounge (by invitation only).