Paris doesn’t have one airport — it has three. And if you’re travelling from London with an onward flight, or picking someone up from a Paris airport, knowing the difference between them genuinely matters. Each airport serves different routes, sits in a different location, and works better for different kinds of travellers.
Here’s everything you need to know about Paris’s three main airports — Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Orly (ORY), and Beauvais (BVA) — and how to choose the right private transfer from London to each one.
The Three Paris Airports: Quick Overview
Paris is served by three commercial airports, each with its own character:
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) The biggest and busiest. Located northeast of Paris. Main international and long-haul hub.
Orly Airport (ORY) The older airport, south of Paris. Mainly handles European and medium-haul routes, plus growing long-haul operations.
Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) A regional airport around 85km north of Paris, used almost exclusively by budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air. Marketed as “Paris Beauvais” but actually well outside the city.
The right airport depends on your airline, your destination, and what you’re trying to achieve.
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG): The Long-Haul Hub
Location: 25km northeast of Paris
Drive time from London (via Eurotunnel): Around 6.5–7.5 hours
Best for: Long-haul flights, Air France, KLM, SkyTeam carriers, transatlantic routes
CDG is Paris’s primary international airport and one of the busiest in Europe. It’s the natural choice for:
- Transatlantic flights (North America, Caribbean)
- Long-haul flights to Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and South America
- Air France hub operations
- Premium business and first-class connections
- Most major full-service international carriers
CDG’s Three Terminals
- Terminal 1: Star Alliance and various international carriers
- Terminal 2: Air France’s main hub, plus SkyTeam partners — split into sub-terminals 2A through 2G
- Terminal 3: Low-cost and charter flights
Pros of Flying Out of CDG
- Massive choice of long-haul destinations
- Air France hub with extensive global connections
- Strong onward connections within Europe
- Modern facilities (though some older areas remain)
Cons of CDG
- Large and complex — easy to get lost
- Long walks between terminals (Terminal 2G is separated and needs a shuttle)
- Busy at peak times — security and immigration queues can be lengthy
When to Choose a Private Transfer to CDG
- Long-haul connections where you want to arrive fresh
- Heavy or oversized luggage that incurs flight surcharges
- Group travel where flight costs add up
- Pet travel (Eurotunnel is far more pet-friendly than flying)
- Premium travel where the journey experience matters
Orly Airport (ORY): The European Workhorse
Location: 13km south of Paris
Drive time from London (via Eurotunnel): Around 7.5–8.5 hours
Best for: European short-haul, French domestic routes, some long-haul, and increasing low-cost operations
Orly is Paris’s second-largest airport and predates CDG. It’s compact, easier to navigate, and serves a different mix of routes:
- French domestic flights
- European short-haul and medium-haul
- Some long-haul (especially to North Africa, the Caribbean, and select other destinations)
- A growing mix of budget and full-service carriers
Orly’s Terminals
Since major renovations, Orly’s terminals are now grouped as Orly 1, 2, 3, and 4, all connected internally so you can move between them on foot or via internal shuttle. Easier to navigate than CDG.
Pros of Flying Out of Orly
- Smaller and more manageable than CDG
- Closer to central Paris
- Modern, recently renovated terminals
- Faster security and check-in than CDG at peak times
- Convenient for southern Paris
Cons of Orly
- Fewer long-haul options than CDG
- Less choice of carriers overall
- A slightly longer drive from London (since you go around or through the Paris area)
When to Choose a Private Transfer to Orly
- You’re flying to North Africa, the Caribbean, or specific European routes
- You’re combining a Paris trip with an Orly departure
- You’re flying a budget carrier like Vueling, easyJet, or Transavia from Orly
- You’re heading to southern Paris first
- You prefer a smaller, less stressful airport
Beauvais Airport (BVA): The Budget Outpost
Location: 85km north of Paris (despite the “Paris Beauvais” marketing)
Drive time from London (via Eurotunnel): Around 4.5–5.5 hours — the shortest of all three Paris airports
Best for: Ryanair, Wizz Air, and other budget carriers
Beauvais isn’t really in Paris. It’s a regional airport in the town of Beauvais, north of Paris, marketed as a “Paris” airport because of its low-cost flight connections. Here’s the deal:
- Almost exclusively used by budget airlines
- Limited route network (mainly European destinations)
- Small terminal, basic facilities
- Often very cheap flights
- Marketed as Paris but requires a 1.5–2 hour shuttle or transfer into Paris itself
Pros of Flying Out of Beauvais
- Cheap flights to specific European destinations
- Small, easy-to-navigate terminal
- Much closer to London than CDG or Orly (it’s actually north of Paris)
- Less hectic than the main Paris airports
Cons of Beauvais
- Far from central Paris (85km)
- Limited carrier and route choice
- Basic facilities
- Limited public transport options
- Onward transfer to actual Paris is often expensive or slow
When to Choose a Private Transfer to Beauvais
- You’ve booked a cheap flight specifically from Beauvais
- You’re heading to or from somewhere in northern France
- You’re combining the trip with another destination near Beauvais
- You need to pick someone up arriving at Beauvais who doesn’t want to deal with the onward journey to Paris
Important Note
If you’re flying from a Paris airport but it doesn’t matter which, Beauvais is actually closer to London than either CDG or Orly — but the trade-off is fewer route choices and a more basic airport experience. For groups or those with luggage, going to CDG or Orly still often makes more sense because of the better facilities and flight options.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a quick reference table-style breakdown:
Location from Paris
- CDG: 25km northeast
- Orly: 13km south
- Beauvais: 85km north
Drive time from London
- CDG: 6.5–7.5 hours
- Orly: 7.5–8.5 hours
- Beauvais: 4.5–5.5 hours
Main airline types
- CDG: Full-service international, long-haul, Air France hub
- Orly: European short-haul, some long-haul, growing low-cost mix
- Beauvais: Budget carriers (Ryanair, Wizz Air)
Best for
- CDG: Long-haul, premium travel, international connections
- Orly: European short-haul, southern Paris travellers, smaller airport experience
- Beauvais: Cheap European budget flights
Facilities
- CDG: Extensive (lounges, restaurants, shopping)
- Orly: Strong, recently renovated
- Beauvais: Basic
Choosing the Right Airport for Your Trip
Here’s how to decide which Paris airport is right for you:
You’re going long-haul → CDG
You’re flying Air France or a SkyTeam carrier → CDG (mostly)
You’re flying short-haul European → Orly or CDG depending on the carrier
You’re flying a cheap Ryanair or Wizz route → Beauvais
You’re heading to southern Paris first → Orly
You’re heading to northern Paris first → CDG
You’re picking up a long-haul arrival → CDG (most likely)
You’re picking up a budget flight arrival → Beauvais (most likely)
You’re going for the absolute shortest road journey from London → Beauvais
If you’re flexible on airport, the rule of thumb is: CDG for variety, Orly for ease, Beauvais for the budget run.
Private Transfer Costs to Each Airport
For 2026, our private transfer prices from London to Paris airports typically start from:
London to Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- Executive Saloon: from £600–£850
- Mercedes V-Class: from £900–£1,300
- 8-Seater Minibus: from £950–£1,400
London to Orly (ORY)
- Executive Saloon: from £650–£900
- Mercedes V-Class: from £950–£1,350
- 8-Seater Minibus: from £1,000–£1,450
London to Beauvais (BVA)
- Executive Saloon: from £500–£750 (shorter route)
- Mercedes V-Class: from £750–£1,150
- 8-Seater Minibus: from £800–£1,250
Beauvais is the cheapest because it’s the shortest road journey. CDG and Orly are similar in price, with Orly slightly higher due to the extra distance going around or through Paris.
For exact quotes on your specific journey, just message us.
When a Private Transfer Beats Flying
For airport transfers specifically, a private transfer often wins when:
- You’re travelling as a group of 3+
- You have substantial or oversized luggage
- You have pets travelling with you
- You’re connecting from a UK flight that’s already incurred airport stress
- You have mobility or medical needs
- You want to avoid airports entirely until your actual departure
- The flight cost plus baggage fees plus airport transfers at both ends exceeds a private transfer cost
Common Questions About Paris Airport Transfers
“Can you drop me at a specific terminal?” Yes — we drop directly at your terminal entrance (e.g. Terminal 2E for Air France long-haul). Just tell us your flight number or terminal when booking.
“What if my flight is delayed and I’m being picked up?” We monitor inbound flight arrivals at all three Paris airports. If your flight is delayed, we adjust the pickup time automatically.
“Can you wait if I’m running late from my hotel?” For airport drop-offs, we build in buffer time. If you’re running unusually late, message us and we’ll adapt where possible.
“Can you collect a passenger arriving at one airport and drop them off at another?” Yes — including transfers between the Paris airports themselves if needed.
“What about combining a Paris stay with an airport departure?” Many clients combine a Paris hotel stay with a final airport transfer to CDG or Orly. We can do the full London-Paris-Airport-London circuit if needed.
Why DM Airport Transfers for Paris Airport Transfers?
Plenty of companies do airport runs. Far fewer do proper cross-Channel airport transfers well. Here’s why:
- UK-wide pickup — collect anywhere
- All three Paris airports covered — CDG, Orly, Beauvais
- Direct terminal drop-off at every airport
- Flight monitoring for pickups
- Modern fleet for every group size
- Fixed pricing with no hidden surcharges
- Eurotunnel-experienced drivers who know all the routes
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
- Pet-friendly transfers available
- Personal service — talk directly to Matty or the team
Ready to Book Your London to Paris Airport Transfer?
Whether you’re heading to CDG for a long-haul, Orly for a European connection, or Beauvais for a budget flight, get in touch with your details and we’ll send a fixed-price quote within minutes.
📱 WhatsApp: +44 7947 199830
📧 Email: info@dmairporttransfers.co.uk
🌐 Website: dmairporttransfers.co.uk
Any Paris airport, any flight, any group size — Matty and the team are ready to take you there.
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