Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is Europe's second-busiest airport by passenger traffic, but in raw connectivity it's hard to beat: nearly 280 non-stop destinations, with strong representation across all six inhabited continents. It's Air France's main hub and a cornerstone of the SkyTeam alliance.
Why CDG works as a connecting airport
CDG benefits from a hub-and-spoke design that makes long-haul connections to North America, Africa, and Asia efficient. Air France's network is particularly strong on routes to Francophone West Africa, French Polynesia, and the French Caribbean — destinations that other major European hubs serve much more thinly.
Terminals at a glance
- Terminal 1 — Star Alliance carriers and many non-aligned international airlines.
- Terminal 2 — Air France and SkyTeam partners. The largest and most complex terminal, split into halls 2A through 2G.
- Terminal 3 — Mostly low-cost and charter operators.
The honest truth about CDG
CDG has a reputation for confusing signage and long walks, especially in Terminal 2. Allow 90 minutes for terminal-change connections and don't take the official minimum connection times at face value during peak season. The CDGVAL automated shuttle between terminals is fast and free, but it's worth knowing where you're going before you get off the plane.
Onward from Paris
If your final destination is anywhere in mainland Europe, CDG's TGV station inside the airport often beats a connecting flight on cost and reliability. Direct trains run to Bordeaux, Lyon, Brussels, and Amsterdam.