Charles de Gaulle is the larger of the two airports for flights to Paris, France. The airport's upgrade and renovation that started during the last part of the 20th century created a modern, gleaming, mega-airport with three interconnected, sprawling terminals. Although de Gaulle provides moving walkways within its terminals, it rivals Chicago's O'Hare for challenging intra-terminal connections and transfers. When you need to travel from one terminal to another in Charles de Gaulle, the fastest option is the free CDGVAL shuttle train that transports passengers between the three terminals.
Follow the signs in your arrival terminal to go to the baggage claim area. You do not have to claim your luggage unless you did not check it through to your final destination.
Complete the passport control and customs clearance procedure. You are required to present your onward travel documents, a visa, if applicable, and your customs declaration form in order to reach the shuttle train station located outside the baggage claim area.
Exit your arrival terminal through baggage claim. The airport has signs that direct you to the shuttle train that runs between the three terminals and connects to the parking lot.
Board the CDGVAL train at the station for your arrival terminal. The signage for the train station and the airport's parking lots provides directions for locating the doorway for the shuttle boarding.
Exit the shuttle at your connecting terminal. Although the airport numbers the terminals consecutively from 1 to 3, the train travels from terminal 1 to terminal 3, then to terminal 2. Pay attention to the station announcements and signs to get off the shuttle at the correct terminal.
- The shuttle train's trips between each terminal take approximately 10 minutes.
- If you decide to walk from one terminal to another, you will still need to pass through airport security when you reach the next terminal.
- Taking the shuttle from one terminal to another requires that you leave the secured area of the airport. You must go through the pre-flight security screening again after you reach the terminal for your connecting flight.
- The passport control and customs check when you leave your arrival terminal and the pre-flight security in your connecting terminal can consume an hour or more. To avoid missing your connecting flight, complete your terminal transfer before you get refreshments or stop by the airline lounge to relax.
- Terminal 2 in Charles de Gaulle airport has seven separate buildings. The main shuttle drops you between terminal 2D and 2F. Then you must transfer to another shuttle to reach the buildings that house terminals 2A and 2B and 2G.
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