Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport Guide: Terminals, Transport and Tips

Quick answer: Charles de Gaulle has Terminal 1, the seven halls of Terminal 2 (2A to 2G) and Terminal 3. Delta and Air France fly to the US from 2E, American uses 2A, and United uses Terminal 1. The RER B train reaches Gare du Nord in about 25 minutes; Roissybus stopped running on 1 March 2026. Since 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) records US travellers' fingerprints and a face image at the border instead of a passport stamp.

Facts checked November 2026. Schedules and entry rules change, so confirm with the airline and the official government site before you travel.

CDG at a glance

Which terminal for flights to and from the US?

CDG's terminal names are confusing. Terminal 1 is the round building. Terminal 2 is a long row of halls, 2A to 2G. Terminal 3 is a small building next to the Roissypole rail station, mainly for charter and low-cost airlines.

Delta says its flights to and from the US use Terminal 2E, which is also where Air France runs its long-haul flights. Air France's short-haul European flights leave from 2F and 2G. American Airlines uses 2A, according to recent airport and partner-airline information. United, with most other Star Alliance airlines, uses Terminal 1. Many airlines changed terminals when Star Alliance carriers moved into the renovated Terminal 1 in late 2022, so check the terminal shown on your booking.

New terminal names from March 2027

From 16 March 2027 the airport renames its terminals with single numbers from 1 to 7. Terminal 1 stays Terminal 1. Terminal 3 becomes Terminal 2, 2A and 2C become Terminal 3, 2B and 2D become Terminal 4, 2E becomes Terminal 5, 2F becomes Terminal 6 and 2G becomes Terminal 7. Boarding areas get single letters too: Air France says 2E's gates K, L and M become D, C and B.

If you are booking a spring 2027 trip, your e-ticket may show the old name and the signs the new one. The airport says the signs will show the previous names for a while after the change.

EES: arriving in France as a US citizen

The EU's Entry/Exit System became fully operational at all Schengen external borders on 10 April 2026. At your first entry under EES, border police record your name, passport data, fingerprints and a facial image, and from then on the system logs each entry and exit instead of stamping your passport. US citizens visiting for a short stay are covered by it.

First registration takes longer than a passport stamp did, so allow extra time on arrival, especially on your first trip since April 2026, and do not book a tight onward train or flight.

Groupe ADP's 2027-2034 investment plan, agreed in principle with the French state in July 2026, includes strengthening border capacity between 2027 and 2030, with more PARAFE automated gates.

ETIAS, the separate travel authorisation for visa-free visitors such as US citizens, is not in operation yet. The EU had aimed for the last quarter of 2026, but as of November 2026 no start date has been announced, and the EU says it will give the date several months before launch. Check travel-europe.europa.eu before you go.

Getting into Paris

The RER B commuter train is the main rail link. It stops at Terminal 1 (reached by CDGVAL, about 6 minutes) and Terminal 3 (by walkway), and has its own station in Terminal 2 beside 2C-2F. Paris Aéroport gives a journey time of about 25 minutes to Gare du Nord, 28 to Châtelet-Les Halles and 35 to Denfert-Rochereau. The line has frequent strikes and weekend works, so check RATP traffic news on the day.

Roissybus, the bus to the Opéra district, ran for the last time on 28 February 2026 and was withdrawn from 1 March 2026, so older guides that recommend it are out of date. The CDG Express, a non-stop train from Gare de l'Est to Terminal 2, is scheduled to open on 28 March 2027. Taxis and ride-hail cars leave from each terminal; the ride into central Paris depends heavily on traffic.

Moving between terminals

CDGVAL is a free driverless train linking Terminal 1, Terminal 3/Roissypole, the Terminal 2 station and the car parks. It runs about every 4 minutes from around 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., with a replacement bus overnight. It runs landside, outside security.

Inside Terminal 2, halls 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F are linked on foot and by moving walkways, and 2A is a walk or the free N1 shuttle from the rail station. Terminal 2G is separate: the free N2 shuttle runs from 2F (exit 2) about every 5 minutes, 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and connecting passengers have their own airside shuttle between 2F and 2G.

Connecting at CDG

Delta to Air France connections usually stay within 2E, 2F and 2G. Arriving from the US and flying on within Europe, you clear passport control and EES at CDG, because it is your first Schengen airport. A connection from United at Terminal 1 to a flight in Terminal 2 means a CDGVAL ride and a new security check.

On a single ticket the airline sets the minimum connection time; on separate tickets, allow several hours for the border queue, bag reclaim, check-in and security.

Lounges

Air France runs lounges in 2E Hall K, Hall L and Hall M and in 2F, plus its La Première lounge in 2E. Opening hours differ by lounge, so check Air France's lounge page for your hall. Business passengers on most fares get entry, and other travellers can buy access in advance when space allows.

Air France rebuilt the 2E Hall K lounge for Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus customers on long-haul flights, so it is the one most US travellers on Air France will use. La Première is for first-class passengers.

Route guides to Paris (CDG)

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