PAR Airport – Comprehensive Guide to Paris Airports

Overview of Paris Airports – Understanding PAR

The ‘PAR’ code on a Paris ticket is a metropolitan code for the city’s three main airports; while convenient for airlines, travelers need to know which specific one their flight uses.

• Charles de Gaulle (CDG): The primary international gateway, handling most long-haul flights.

• Orly (ORY): The secondary airport, focusing on domestic and European destinations.

• Beauvais–Title (BVA): A hub for budget airlines, located furthest from the city center.

Charles de Gaulle Airport – The Main International Gateway

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), also known as Ross Airport, is the largest airport in France and the main international entry point for Paris.

Located northeast of the city, CDG is a large airport with three main terminals—and Terminal 2 alone is a collection of seven sub-terminals (2A to 2G).

Terminal 1 – Architectural Marvel

Terminal 1 is the original terminal at CDG and an icon of airport design. Conceived by French architect Paul Andrew, its futuristic, circular structure was groundbreaking when it opened in 1974. Its design features a central, ten-floor circular hub for passenger services—like check-in, baggage claim, and shopping—surrounded by seven satellite buildings where aircraft dock.

This unique layout was designed to improve passenger flow. After checking in within the central core, travelers move through a network of underground walkways with translators to reach their departure gates in the satellite terminals. This separation of functions was an innovative approach that simplified navigation and reduce congestion.

Today, Terminal 1 primarily serves international airlines that are not part of the Sky Team alliance. Despite its age, its distinctive design remains a celebrated example of modern architecture, offering a memorable start or end to your journey through Paris.

Terminal 2 – Main Operations Hub

Terminal 2 is a large complex that serves as the airport’s main operational hub. As the main hub for Air France and its Sky Team alliance partners, it handles the majority of CDG’s international and European flights.

The terminal’s segmented design is built to manage large passenger volumes efficiently. With dedicated check-in areas, security, and gates in each sub-terminal, the process is simplified from arrival to departure. This structure makes Terminal 2 the busiest and most significant hub at CDG, accommodating millions of travelers each year.

Navigating Terminal 2 requires careful planning due to its sheer size. Verifying your specific sub-terminal is essential, as transfers between them can be time-consuming, so it’s wise to allow plenty of time, especially for a connecting flight.

Orly Airport – The Secondary International Airport

While CDG handles the bulk of long-haul traffic, Orly Airport (ORY) is Paris’s second major hub.

Orly is a key base for airlines such as Air France (for its domestic routes), Corsair International, and easyJet. The airport once consisted of two separate terminals, South (SUD) and West (Guest), but a major renovation has consolidated them into a single, modern building. This unified structure is now divided into four connected sectors—Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4—which simplifies navigation and transfers for passengers.

Orly’s main advantage is its proximity and excellent connectivity, offering multiple transport links for rapid access to central Paris.

Beauvais–Title Airport – Budget Airline Hub

Though often marketed as a Paris airport, Beauvais–Title Airport (BVA) is actually 85 kilometers north of the city—an important distance to consider, as it serves almost exclusively as the Parisian hub for budget airlines.

The airport is a major base for low-cost carriers, with Ryanair being the most dominant airline operating from its two small terminals. Other airlines like Wizz Air also use BVA for their routes. The passenger experience at Beauvais is straightforward and no-frills, reflecting its budget focus. You won’t find the extensive shopping or dining of CDG or Orly; instead, the facilities are designed for one thing: getting passengers on and off their flights quickly.

Transport Options to Paris Airports

Getting from your terminal to central Paris is an important part of your journey, and each airport offers different transport links.

From Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the RER B suburban train is often the quickest and most popular public transport method. It connects the airport directly with major hubs in central Paris, including Gear du Word and Châtelet–Les Halle’s. For those who prefer the road, dedicated airport buses, shared hotel shuttles, and official taxis are readily available. Private car services also offer a comfortable, albeit more expensive, door-to-door option.

Orly Airport (ORY), being closer to the city, has excellent connections. The Royal light rail whisks passengers to the Antony RER B station, linking them to the broader train network. Additionally, the recent extension of Metro Line 14 provides a direct subway connection to central Paris. The Orly bus service offers another reliable route, while taxis provide a quick trip to the city’s southern districts.

For travelers arriving at Beauvais–Title (BVA), the most common and economical connection is the official airport shuttle. This bus runs directly to Porte Maillot in Paris, with a journey time of approximately 75 minutes. While taxis are an option, the significant distance makes them a far more expensive choice.

Airlines Operating at Paris Airports

The airline you fly with will largely determine which Paris airport you arrive at, as each hub caters to different types of carriers and destinations. From global flag carriers to budget-friendly options, the PAR airport system accommodates a wide range of travel needs across its three different airports.

As France’s main international airport, Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main hub for the national carrier, Air France. It is also the airport used by most major international airlines offering long-haul flights from across the globe. If you’re travelling from North America, Asia, or the Middle East on a full-service carrier, you will almost certainly land at CDG.

Orly Airport (ORY) handles a diverse mix of traffic, focusing on European, North African, and domestic routes. While Air France maintains a significant presence, Orly is also a key base for airlines like the low-cost carrier easyJet, Spanish airline Vueling, and leisure-focused Corsair International, making it a hub for short to medium-haul travel.

For travelers on a tight budget, Beauvais–Title (BVA) is the main hub for low-cost airlines. It is dominated by carriers such as Ryanair, which operate an extensive network of routes to cities all over Europe. If you’ve booked a short European trip on a budget airline, you’re almost certainly flying into BVA.