Connecting time
Paris-Charles de Gaulle is a major connection hub and one of the busiest airports in Europe.
For a hassle-free experience give yourself enough time between flights while booking your ticket…
Think about a possible delay of your incoming flight, queues in front of security or passport control at peak times, distance to the departure gate.
Minimum connecting time recommended by EASY CDG*
- 60 minutes for connections within the same terminal.
- 90 minutes for connections that require travel between terminals.
* Only apply if travelling on a single ticket and any baggage checked through to your final destination.
Families travelling with small children and travelers with health or mobility concerns may need a longer connection time.
Baggage & Check-in
Passengers will be advised at the airport of origin regarding where they should collect their luggage.
In most cases, connections are booked as a single journey (e.g. Air France/Air France or Delta/Air France), your baggage will be automatically sent to your connecting flight at CDG Airport, you should be able to remain airside to travel to the departure terminal.
If you are travelling without an official flight connection (you bought two separate tickets for your flights and need to re-check at CDG), then you may need to travel between terminals outside of the transit zone.
In that case, you should allow plenty of extra time to exit, collect your baggage from the carousel, re-check in with your airline and clear security.
Landing at Paris-CDG
If you are already checked-in for your connecting flight
• Follow the yellow signage for Transfer.
• Consult the flight information display screens to confirm your departure terminal & gate.
• Within the transit zone, proceed to your boarding gate.
Airside Transfers
If you need to check-in
• Follow the Baggage-Exit signs.
• Pick up bags, exit through Customs.
• Consult the flight information display screens to confirm your departure terminal.
• Proceed to the relevant terminal & check-in desk.
Landside Transfers
Passport & Security Checks
Do you have to go through passport control and-or a security check when transferring at Paris-CDG Airport ?
It depends on where you’re flying to and from !
Schengen area countries
France + Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
From Schengen to Schengen
e.g. Berlin to Bordeaux
• No passport control nor security check.
Please note !
If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must pass through a security check.
From Schengen to Non-Schengen
e.g. Geneva to Montreal
• You must pass through a passport check.
Please note !
If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must pass through a security check.
From Non Schengen to Schengen
e.g. Los Angeles to Rome
• You must pass through both passport check and security check.
From Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen
e.g. London to Delhi
• You must pass through a security check (No passport control nor visa required).
Please note !
If you need to leave the transit area to pick up baggage and check-in, you must clear a passport check, please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Covid-19 update
Paris-CDG airport is open and welcome all transit passengers (including non-europeans).
You must get tested before traveling if a PCR test is required by your final destination.
Passengers transiting through Paris to travel to a third country are not required to present a COVID‑19 PCR test certificate at CDG airport.
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.
Consult the reopen.europa site for your intra-EU trips.
Can I visit Paris during my layover ?
Charles de Gaulle airport is about 26 km (16 miles) from Central Paris, It does take about 45-60 minutes to reach the city center, so we only recommend leaving the airport for the city if you’ve got at least 6-7 hours between flights.
You can store your luggage nearby the railway station and then take the RER B train to Paris.
A few bus routes and taxis are available, too, but traffic can really slow you down.
Remember to keep 2 hours minimum for the transportation airport to Paris and back.
Therefore, a 5-hour layover in Paris, for example, will mean 3 hours available to visit Paris.
Please ensure that you comply with entry & visa requirements.
Visit our dedicated page for information and details about trains, buses, taxis and shuttles to Paris.
How long to connect between flights 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.
Do I need to collect my bags at CDG ?
Passengers will be advised at the airport of origin regarding where they should collect their luggage.
In most cases, your baggage will be labeled to go directly to your final destination.
The baggage tag receipt always states your bag’s final destination.
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.
I need 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).
Where do I get my boarding pass ?
Your airline should give you all the boarding cards you need, including those for any connecting flights, when you first check in.
If you don’t have yours, please contact your airline in the relevant terminal.
Do I need a visa to transfer at CDG ?
Passengers travelling between non-Schengen countries do not need a visa for connecting flights at Paris-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.
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.
How to transfer to Orly airport ?
How to transfer to a TGV train ?
Follow the ″Baggage-Exit″ signs, leave the transfer zone, pick up bags then make your way to the railway station underneath terminal 2.
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.
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) holding valid biometric passports of the European Union, the European Economic Union and the Swiss Confederation are eligible.
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 !
How do I find out my flight's terminal ?
The flight terminal is sometimes included on your boarding pass, along with the gate number, when you check in.
Monitors and signs within the airport will also be able to direct you to the correct terminal.
Can I go shopping in a different terminal ?
No, it is not possible to shop in another terminal without a valid boarding pass.
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.
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.
Where can I take a shower and relax ?
Currently, CDG airport has no public showers.
You may proceed to your airline’s lounge (by invitation only).
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.
Can I smoke in the terminals ?
Please not that smoking is not permitted except in the dedicated smoking booths located in all terminals, near the boarding areas.
How do I request extra assistance at CDG airport ?
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.
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“.