Many transportation options are available between downtown and Paris’ two main airports – suburban trains, metro and public bus combinations are generally the cheapest way. Taxis and private shuttles are very convenient and although pricy for individuals, may well be a sound option for small groups. Les Cars Air France are a very comfortable alternative for transportation from Orly (ORY) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports to downtown destinations without having to schlepp luggage through crowded stations or up flights of stairs.
Les Cars Air France Shuttle Buses from Paris Airports
Les Cars Air France shuttles are luxury buses that run from downtown Paris to Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports. Buses are available from OrlyAirport to Les Invalides, Gare Montparnasse, and Etoile and from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Etoile, Port Maillot, Gare Montparnasse, and Gare de Lyon. A direct service for transit passengers is also available between the two airports.
In contrast to most public transportation buses, the RER suburban trains, and the metro, the buses of Les Cars Air France do have special space for luggage. Seats are comfortable and the buses are air-conditioned.
- Although run by Air France, the Les Cars Air France buses may be used by all travelers.
Small groups of four traveling together on Les Cars Air France receive 15% discounts on one-way fares. Children under 11 generally pay half the full fare. Tickets can be bought from Air France, counters at the airport, or directly on the bus.
Les Cars Air France from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Les Cars Air France buses operate on two different routes from Paris to Charles de Gaulle Airport:
- Line 2 is from Place de l’Etoile / Avenue Carnot (Arc de Triomphe) via Porte Maillot / Boulevard Gouvion St Cyr to Aéroport Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Buses depart every 30 minutes between 5:45 am and 11 pm. Traveling time can be as short as 45 minutes but generally an hour or slightly more. One-way fares are €15 (€24 return).
- Line 4 goes from Gare Montparnasse / Rue du Commandant Mouchotte via Gare de Lyon / Boulevard Diderot to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle every half hour between 6:30 am and 9 pm. Traveling time is about an hour. One-way fares are €16.50 (€27 return).
Les Cars Air France buses departing for Paris stop four times at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport:
- Terminal 1 - Exit 34 (Arrivals level)
- Terminal 2A-2C - Exit C2
- Terminal 2D-2B - Exit B1
- Terminal 2E-2F - Gallery level, Exit 3
Passengers from Terminal 2G should use the free N3 shuttle bus to Terminal 2C (Exit 4) and from Terminal 3 the free CDGVAL shuttle train to Terminal 1.
Les Cars Air France from Paris to Orly Airport (ORY)
Les Cars Air France buses connect central Paris with Orly Airport on Line 1 (from September 2010 the former Line 1 and Line 1* have been combined into a single route):
- Line 1 runs from Etoile / Avenue Carnot (Arc de Triomphe) via Invalides / rue Esnault Pelterie and Gare Montparnasse / Rue du Commandant Mouchotte to Aéroport Orly. (Stops may be requested at Porte d’Orléans only if traveling towards Paris.) Traveling time is around 50 minutes (half an hour from Montparnasse).
Les Cars Air France buses depart at least every half hour (every 20 minutes during much of the day) on this route from around 6 am to 11 pm. One-way fares are €11.50 (€18.50 return).
The Cars Air France buses stop at Paris-Orly Airport at:
- Orly-Ouest / West Terminal – Exit H (Arrivals level)
- Orly-Sud / South Terminal – Exit L (Exit K for buses to Charles de Gaulle)
Les Cars Air France between Orly (ORY) and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airports
Les Cars Air France buses provide the easiest connection for transfer passengers between Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports:
- Line 3 connects Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) every half hour
between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm. Traveling time is around 50 minutes. The one-way fare is €19.
If the bus is full, RER train line B offers an alternative between Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports but takes well over an hour. Bear in mind that even a taxi may be cheaper than missing a flight.
- The luxury buses used by Les Cars Air France are an attractive and comfortable option for traveling to Paris airports. However, many alternative transportation options are worth considering for getting from downtown Paris to either Orly (ORY) or Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airports.
Henk Bekker - Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer currently living on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
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