CDG Airport to Eiffel Tower Transport Options Compared
The Eiffel Tower is Paris’s most iconic landmark and offers one of the best views in the city. Thanks to its monumental size, it can be seen from almost every corner of Paris, and hotels with an Eiffel Tower view are often booked months in advance.
If you have a layover in Paris at CDG Airport and want to see the Tower before your connecting flight, getting there is surprisingly straightforward – and yes, it’s genuinely doable if you plan it right.
Below are 7 transport options from CDG to the Eiffel Tower compared by speed, price, and convenience for 2026, so you can make the most of your limited time in Paris.
Last update: February 2026
CDG to Eiffel Tower – Quick Answers
CDG Paris Airport to Eiffel Tower distance: 25-31 Km, depending on the route.
Cheapest way from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Eiffel Tower: Express Line 9517 (€4.2) New!
Fastest: taxi /private transfer (30-45 min, €65-85).
Most Comfortable: private transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Best for Layovers: layover tour (4 to 5 hours, includes multiple sites).
Table of contents:
- CDG Paris Airport to Eiffel Tower Transportation Comparison Table
- How to Get from CDG to Eiffel Tower by Private Transport
- How to Get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Eiffel Tower by Public Transport
- Navigating CDG Airport: Which Terminal are You In?
- Traveling with Luggage: What Actually Works
- Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
- The Eiffel Tower – Quick Facts
- FAQ – Charles de Gaulle to Eiffel Tower
→ If you’re flying into Orly Airport, here’s the Orly to Eiffel Tower guide
CDG Paris Airport to Eiffel Tower Transportation Comparison Table
OPTION | FROM | DURATION | PRICE | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Your CDG Airport Terminal | 4-5 hours | Sightseeing + luggage | ||
Your CDG Airport Terminal | 30-45 min | Comfort + luggage | ||
Taxi (Flat Rate to Left Bank) | Your CDG Airport Terminal | 30-45 min | €65 | No pre-booking |
UBER /Bolt | Your CDG Airport Terminal | 30-45 min | €53-70 | Modern Booking |
RER Train | CDG Airport Terminals 1 or 2 | 60 min | €13 | Budget travelers |
Express Line 9517 + Metro New! | Roissy Pole (Terminal 3) | 90-110 min | €4.20 | Budget travelers |
How to Get from CDG to Eiffel Tower by Private Transport
1. Layover Tour
A layover tour is an excellent option for travelers with a connecting flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport and at least four hours to spare at the terminal. Instead of waiting, step out into the fresh air and discover the Eiffel Tower and other iconic landmarks with this top-rated Paris layover tour.
This private layover tour lasts between four and five hours and includes brief stops or drive-bys at the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden, and the Louvre Museum. The guide is highly accommodating and can tailor the itinerary to suit your preferences and time constraints, ensuring you make the most of your stopover in Paris – Click here to book your Paris CDG Layover Tour
2. Private Transfer
For a private transfer from CDG Airport to Eiffel Tower, I recommend Welcome Pickups, a reliable service offering comfortable vehicles and professional English-speaking drivers in Paris. You can book your ride in advance from the comfort of your home, and they’ll take care of the rest.
Thanks to flight monitoring, your driver will always be on time and will be waiting for you directly at your arrival terminal.
Welcome Pickups offers a fixed price for your transfer from CDG Paris Airport to Eiffel Tower, so you can avoid the hassle of navigating public transportation after a long flight. Simply pre-book your ride and enjoy your layover in Paris – Click here to book your private airport transfer with Welcome
3. Taxi from CDG to Eiffel Tower
Official taxis line up outside every terminal – follow the “Taxis” signs on the floor, you can’t miss them. The flat rate to the Left Bank (including Eiffel Tower area) is €65 fixed, no meter. When you get in, check that the letter “A” lights up below the taxi sign – that confirms the flat rate is active.
Click here to find the taxi location at your arrival terminal ↓
Queue reality from experience: Early morning (7-9 a.m.) and evening (5-7 p.m.) when most international flights land, expect 15-30 minute waits. I’ve also seen long queues during transport strikes in Paris or late at night when RER isn’t running and everyone takes taxis. But there’s always an attendant in a yellow vest managing the line efficiently.
Scam warning: Anyone who approaches you inside the terminal or on the way to the taxi stand offering a ride is a scam. Ignore them completely, official taxi drivers never solicit passengers.
On the way back to the airport, use the G7 Taxi app (official Paris taxi booking, free to download) to pre-book your ride. Note: Pre-booking adds a €7 fee (€72 total), but it guarantees a taxi at your pickup time and lets you skip any queue. Be careful when you select a specific pick-up time – The price increases for every minute you arrive late (speaking from experience!).
4. UBER /Bolt
Uber and Bolt both operate at CDG Airport, and if you use them at home, the temptation to book what you know is real. But having taken both taxis and Uber many times in Paris, I’m going to be honest: for this specific Paris CDG to Eiffel Tower route, taxis are usually the better choice.
Why taxis beat Uber/Bolt here: Official taxis are already waiting at the terminal. You walk out, you get in. Uber/Bolt requires ordering the car and waiting for pickup, then finding the VTC/rideshare pickup area (which is separate from taxi stands and not always clearly marked). That waiting time cuts into your limited layover.
The pricing reality: Taxis have a €65 flat rate – you know exactly what you’ll pay. Uber/Bolt use dynamic pricing. I’ve seen it as low as €45 during quiet times and as high as €85+ during peak demand or transportation strikes in Paris. If a surge hits when you land, you’re paying more than a taxi with less convenience.
How to Get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Eiffel Tower by Public Transport
5. CDG Airport to Eiffel Tower by RER (+ Short Walk)
From Terminal 1 or 2, take RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station, transfer to RER C toward Pontoise, and get off at Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel. Walk 10 minutes along the Seine toward the Tower – it’s impossible to miss!
Total journey: 60 minutes (50 minutes trains + 10 minutes walk) Cost: €13 one-way Frequency: Every 10 minutes.
Transfer reality from experience: The RER B to Saint-Michel transfer is straightforward – follow the signs, they’re in English and French. The RER C train can be confusing because multiple trains use the same platform. Check the electronic panel showing which train goes to Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station before boarding.
Important: Airport tickets (€13) are different from regular Paris metro tickets. You cannot use standard metro tickets for this journey. If you plan to explore Paris by metro after the Eiffel Tower, read my guide to Paris metro tickets for tourists.
Return journey warning from experience: Not all RER B trains go to CDG airport – many terminate at intermediate stations or somewhere else. Only board trains showing “Charles de Gaulle Aéroport” as the destination, with both “Terminal 1” and “Terminal 2” illuminated on the platform electronic panel. I’ve watched too many confused travelers board the wrong train and end up in the suburbs!
6. Express Line 9517 + Metro New!
New as of 1 March 2026: The Roissybus has been replaced by Express Line 9517, creating a new budget option for reaching the Eiffel Tower from CDG. The total cost is €4.20 (bus + metro tickets) for a journey of 90-110 minutes.
How to get to the Eiffel Tower with the Express Line 9517 (step-by-step guide):
- Take free CDGVAL shuttle from Terminal 1 or 2 to Roissypole/Terminal 3 (5-10 min)
- Board Bus 9517 to Saint-Denis-Pleyel metro station (30-45 min, €2.05)
- Take Metro Line 14 to Châtelet station (15 min)
- Transfer to Metro Line 1 to Champ de Mars
- Walk to the Eiffel Tower (10 min)
Local’s honest take: This is genuinely the cheapest way from Charles de Gaulle airport to Eiffel Tower now (less than half the price of the RER) and it’s a solid choice if you are NOT in a rush and want to save money. But it’s also the most complicated route with the most transfers. For example, Châtelet station is a massive transport hub, and the directional signs are so poorly placed that I always get lost if I take a different route from my usual one, and I am a local in Paris! If you’re on a tight layover and trying to maximize your time at the Eiffel Tower, the extra 15-30 minutes and multiple transfers aren’t worth the €7.60 savings.
Navigating CDG Airport: Which Terminal Are You In?
Charles de Gaulle Airport has 3 terminals, and knowing which one you’re in matters for getting to the Eiffel Tower efficiently.
Since it’s often hard to know your arrival terminal before you depart, I recommend bookmarking or downloading this article for easy access when you land. If you have a connecting flight after your Eiffel Tower visit, check your boarding pass or airline confirmation. Terminal number is always listed.
Terminal 1:
– RER B station: Located at Terminal 1 (well signposted, easy access)
– Taxi: gate 24 (Level Arrivées /Arrivals)
Terminal 2 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G):
– RER B station: Located at Terminal 2 (well signposted, connected to all Terminal 2 gates via CDGVAL shuttle train). The nearest terminal is 2F, while 2G is VERY far.
– Taxi:
- Terminal 2A: gate 6
- Terminal 2B: Level Arrivées /Arrivals
- Terminal 2C: gate 14
- Terminal 2D: gate 7
- Terminal 2E: gate 10 (Level Arrivées /Arrivals)
- Terminal 2F: gate 11 (Level Arrivées /Arrivals)
- Terminal 2G: blue gate, in front of the terminal
Terminal 3:
– Budget airlines typically arrive here
– No direct RER station – leave the terminal and walk 5 minutes to Roissy Pole to take free CDGVAL shuttle to Terminal 1 or 2.
– Taxi: outside the arrivals hall, in front of the terminal (small)
Traveling with Luggage: What Actually Works
If you’re on a layover or have heavy bags, this matters more than you think, especially if you want to travel by public transportation:
- You’ll need to carry bags through 2 train transfers (or bus + metro transfer)
- Escalators at RER /metro stations may not work (no elevators)
- Crowded trains or metros during peak hours (7-9 a.m., 5-7 p.m.)
- Pickpocketing risk on train or metro increases with luggage distraction
My honest opinion: RER and bus + metro works fine with a backpack. With a small roller bag? Take a taxi or pre-book a transfer. The money saved isn’t worth the stress.
Alternatively, you can use the luggage storage service operated by Bagages du Monde. It is located in Terminal 2, in the exchange hall of Gare Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, near the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel. The service is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Prices vary depending on the size of your bag or suitcase and payment is accepted by card only.
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
After 10 years of helping visitors navigate CDG through this blog, these are the mistakes I see repeatedly:
Mistake 1: Not having enough time
Minimum safe layover to visit the Eiffel Tower: 8 hours (from landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to joining the security line for your connecting flight. Anything less and you’re gambling with your connecting flight.
Mistake 2: Accepting “taxi” offers inside the terminal
Official taxis ONLY pick up from designated taxi stands outside. Anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a taxi is a scam. Keep walking.
Mistake 3: Not buying a round-trip RER ticket
Buy your return ticket when you arrive at CDG. There’s no discounted price for a round-trip ticket but the queues at Paris stations can be long, and you don’t want to waste your limited time standing in line for a ticket back to the airport.
Mistake 4: Not checking strike schedules
French transport strikes are real and frequent. If your trip falls on a strike day, be sure to check my strike calendar and tips before your trip. If there’s a strike, taxis and private transfers are your only reliable options.
The Eiffel Tower – Quick Facts
– The Eiffel Tower is the symbol of Paris and France. Designed by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower was built as part of the World Fair of 1889 hosted in Paris, France.
– The Eiffel Tower measures 324 meters high, and there are 1.665 steps from the ground floor to the top. The total weight is 10.100 tons.
– Where is the Eiffel Tower Located? The Eiffel Tower is in the 7th District of Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine River. This Arrondissement of Paris is also known as the Eiffel Tower District.
– How far is the Eiffel Tower from CDG airport? Charles de Gaulle Airport is not the closest airport to Eiffel Tower (it’s Orly Airport). The distance from Charles de Gaulle to the Eiffel Tower is 25-31 Km, depending on the route (31.5 km via highway A1).
Things to Do Near the Eiffel Tower
FAQ – Charles de Gaulle to Eiffel Tower
What is the fastest way to get from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport to Eiffel Tower?
Pre-booked private transfer or taxi. 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic. Cost: from €65 (taxi’s fixed price).
Is it worth visiting the Eiffel Tower during a layover?
If you have 8+ hours between flights: yes, doable and worth the effort as it is Paris’s most iconic landmark. If you have 6-7 hours: risky. Under 6 hours: not recommended – you need minimum 3 hours at airport for security/immigration.
Which terminal at CDG has a train station?
Terminals 1 and 2 both have RER B stations. Terminal 3 requires a 5-minute walk to Roissy Pôle, where you can take the free CDGVAL shuttle to Terminal 1. Terminal 1 is the closest terminal to Paris, so if you take the CDGVAL to Terminal 2, you’re actually traveling in the opposite direction.
Are there luggage storage facilities at CDG if I want to visit Paris?
Yes, in the exchange hall of Gare Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV, near the Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel. The service is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Note: Luggage storage fills up quickly during peak travel seasons.
What are the busiest times for the RER and taxis?
- 7-9 a.m. weekday mornings (rush hour, RER packed, road traffic heavy)
- 5-7 p.m. weekday evenings (worst traffic of the day, RER extremely crowded)
The best times to travel from Charles de Gaulle to Eiffel Tower are:
- Mid-morning (10 a.m.-12 p.m.): Roads clearer, RER less crowded
- Early afternoon (1-3 .pm.): Quietest period for both roads and trains
- Late evening (after 8 p.m.): Roads clear but RER frequency reduces
Does summer affect traffic near the Eiffel Tower?
Paris Plages (temporary beaches along the Seine) can create traffic delays for private transfers and taxis near Eiffel Tower area from mid-July to mid-August. Add extra 10-15 minutes for taxi/transfer during this period.
Should I factor in potential transport strikes when planning my trip from CDG to Eiffel Tower?
Transport strikes in France are frequent. Always check my Paris strike calendar before your trip and review your plans if necessary. During strikes, RER service may be reduced or suspended entirely – private transfers and taxis are your only reliable options.
Can I consider climbing the Eiffel Tower during my layover in Paris?
I would only consider going up the Eiffel Tower if your layover is at least 8 hours.
Tickets require a fixed date and time, and they cannot be changed after purchase. Because flight or transfer delays are common, I don’t recommend booking in advance for a layover.
Your safest option is a stairs ticket to the second floor – which is also the most budget-friendly choice. You can buy these tickets online or at the Eiffel Tower ticket office on the day of your visit for immediate access.
Have more questions? Join my Facebook group about Paris & France travel planning – ask anything, get insider tips from locals and experienced travelers, and find inspiration for your trip.
Now you know all 7 options – fastest, cheapest, and everything in between. Choose what fits your time and budget. Bon voyage!
