Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG)

Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Charles de Gaulle International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your CDG Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible
Minimum layover for city4 hours

Best use of a long layover

RER B to Paris in 35 min. Notre Dame, the Louvre, or a coffee at Café de Flore on the Left Bank — all reachable within a 4-hour layover.

Inside the airport

Terminal 2E Satellite 3 has the Art Loop installation — a genuine rotating art programme with real works curated for the terminal.

Sheraton CDG and Hilton CDG are within walking distance of the terminals. No airside overnight option.

Non-Schengen passengers should verify transit requirements by nationality — some require a transit visa even for airside connections.
Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of France before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs
Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs
Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs
Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+
Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near CDG

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels
Find Hotels Near CDG

Airport hotels, transit stays and Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

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City Tours from CDG

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours
Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) without missing your connection.

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Practical Tips for Your CDG Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Charles de Gaulle International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.
Get a France eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.
Download offline maps for Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.
Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.
Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.
Recommended · eSIM
Stay Connected in France

Activate a France eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

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