Take it from me, someone who always becomes a pantomiming master as if I’ve never traveled before, learning a new city’s transit system is no easy feat no matter where you find yourself.
Being so iconic, Paris is obviously one of the most visited cities in the world — maybe even the most visited depending on whose report you trust more.
Sorry Istanbul…
With multiple airports to fly into, Paris may seem like one of Europe’s click-it-and-forget-it destinations, but it does take a hefty amount of planning for a seamless trip.
One of those aspects if you’re welcome into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), one of the busiest airports across Europe.
Surprisingly, CDG may offer ample flights to seemingly anywhere on Earth, but getting you where you wanna be — you know — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and my personal favorite, La Madeleine, takes a lot more than the dose of patience you didn’t pack on your long-haul flight.
Set to virtually cut travel time in half as the only dedicated, direct airport train to reach the heart of Paris faster than you can savor a buttery croissant, the new CDG Express is destined to be a game-changer once it launches in the near future.
All Aboard The CDG Express!
Not many travel publications report on airport rides. Nowadays, many people get in cars with strangers anyway..
The truth is airport trains aren’t flashy enough in most cases to garner attention and can be a little boring to dive into.
But not this one.
We’re not saying we’re TikTok train fanatic Francis Bourgeois; we’re just saying this is big news for a major, major city.
The CDG Express is set to launch March 28, 2027, so you have a ways to wait this one out or even test the current alternative for yourself.
That would be the RER B train, taking you from CDG to Châtelet-Les Halles that can add up to 40 minutes to your day.
The other would be from Paris’s other hugely popular airport, Orly Airport (ORY). Here, travelers typically hop aboard Line 14 and reach the hub of Châtelet in about 25 minutes.
Here’s the issue:
Right now, landing at CDG feels like the trip isn’t over yet.
You’ve made it to Paris — technically — but there’s still the “now what?” stage of cramming onto a commuter train, watching stop after stop tick by that you likely can’t pronounce, or waving goodbye to your euros in traffic all while making small talk with an Uber driver who wants to practice English.
Sound fun?
Not at all.
The CDG Express eliminates all that, so you know exactly where you’re going:
Paris-Gare de l’Est station.
Better yet, the train is scheduled to depart every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight, so you won’t have to dilly-dally around the airport waiting for a ride into the city.
Heading To Europe This Summer? Be sure to check the latest Entry Requirements for your destination before you head to the airport.
Why Gare De L’Est Is A Prime Arrival Point
Every trip starts somewhere, and sometimes the “Central” station doesn’t turn out to be so central.
No offense to Copenhagen, but your streets aren’t made for lugging carry-ons for blocks on end…
Paris is largely walkable throughout its vast cityscape. Just ask Owen Wilson.
Gare de l’Est is a prime kickstart with the Canal Saint-Martin nearby for scenic waterside strolls with the 10th arrondissement at your feet, and even more Metro access to big-ticket icons like the aforementioned Louvre, the revamped Notre-Dame, plus Montmartre, and the definitely-not-swimmable Seine.
There are dozens of Parisian sidewalk cafes, of course facing outward to watch one of the world’s most renowned cities go by at your leisure and ample accommodations ranging from luxury hotels all the way down to hostel bunk beds to meet every budget.
Quick note from personal experience:
If you’re using a Navigo pass in Paris, make sure your photo is attached and your name is filled out before riding. Otherwise, you can risk being fined.
Luckily, I weaseled my way out of it by playing the “dumb tourist” card when confronted, but not everyone is so lucky.
How Safe Is Paris?
Like any massive urban sprawl, you can find negative headlines for just about anywhere.
But how are travelers really feeling exploring Paris?
According to our very own Safety Index, travelers have reported in real-time largely feeling safe with a ranking of 81/100 and just a handful of scattered reports of scams, assaults, and theft.
The U.S. State Department currently designates France as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (the second lowest level).
