Paris Beauvais versus Charles De Gaulle Airport Comparison

ScottSF

The past three times I've traveled to Paris in the last few years have been to Beauvais Tille Airport with Ryanair. The shuttle bus takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to Porte Maillot in Paris after which you can walk to the Champs-Élysées area or take the metro to your favorite arrondissement. The cost is 15 euro each way with no return discounts, though the website today says the cost is 16 euro so I'm not sure if the price recently went up.

This past weekend I took a chance with Air France (operated by CityJet) flying into Charles De Gaulle airport. I figured it would be faster, less costly for the shuttle, and a better travel experience as many people have suggested. However I found it not to be a huge advantage especially if you have to pay a lot more for the airline tickets. Here are my pros and cons that may help next time you plan a weekend city-break in Paris.

Why fly to Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris (versus Beauvais with Ryanair)
Pros

• Free drinks and small snack, including wine and beer (Air France only)
• Check one bag for free so you can bring home french products (Air France)
• Lots of shopping at CDG airport terminals
• RER train to Paris runs very frequently
• Train station at the airport can take you directly to Reims and other cities in France
• Seat assignments (and seats in the terminal area) mean no queuing up far in advance Ryanair style
• You can take a taxi if you are in a rush or any other reason
• You can connect to another flight if Paris is not your final destination

Cons

• It's a long walk (plus airport loop-train and/or bus) from gate to transportation
• Construction can force you to take an extra 20 minute shuttle bus ride from the end of the RER line (happened this past weekend without us being told by the airline)
• It may be easier (and more secure) hauling luggage with the bus opposed to a long terminal walk, followed by RER train and typically crowded metro transfer
• From what I heard CDG is more subject to delays but I don't know the actual figures
• Airport train is 9.50 Euro each way which is less expensive than Beauvais however it isn't much faster than the bus when all is said and done
• If you fly in to Paris at night it may be challenging to match up the arrival time with a nighttime train to Reims or another city near Paris.

As you can see CDG airport isn't always the best choice so that is where flight prices can become the main factor for making a decision. I probably wouldn't chose Aer Lingus to CDG airport simply because you don't get the free food and drink and free checked bag. At least Air France offers a higher level of service for your money.

Anyone want to offer advice on choosing which airport to fly to Paris based on personal experience?

tatli_lokma

I have found as you did that despite its closer proximity to Paris, CDG is not always the better option.

A while back I travelled with my dad to Paris, and as he is getting on in years I foolishly thought CDG would be a better bet. But when we arrived, there was no one at our arrival gate to arrange for a wheelchair/golf buggy despite Aer Lingus advising them ahead. It wouldn't have been such a big deal, but the travelator was broken so the walk was very long. I was tired pulling my carry on, so an older or less able person would well struggle.

On our return, we asked at the information desk for assistance and was told that all their wheelchairs were busy and they couldn't guarantee they would be back in time to bring us to our gate. They were not overly helpful and didn't offer any other solutions. We waited 40 mins and when there was still no sign of a wheelchair had to just walk. Luckily we had given ourselves plenty of time so could take it easy, but my poor dad was pooped by the time we got to the gate.

Also, going and coming, the train was fairly packed, so not the most comfortable of journeys.

If I were going again on a personal trip I would opt for the simplicity of Beauvais over CDG. With work I might go CDG, but that is only cos a taxi would be covered by work. I wouldn't bother with CDG if I was bussing/training it.

Lapin

Disregarding the airlines and focusing on the airports, I'll take Beauvais over CDG anyday.

I love the fact that you can walk from the plane to the bus stop in less than 2 minutes.

Also, on the return journey I like being able to check in and be sitting on the plane about half an hour later without having to walk for miles to get to it.

It may lack all the shopping and dining facilities of larger airports, but as long as I can buy a coffee or a beer I'm happy out.

CDG is biggest kip of an airport I have ever had the misfortune to fly from. I've never had a hassle free day in the place.

It may cost a bit more to get from Beauvais into Paris but this is offset by the cheaper costs of flying into the smaller airport. And it doesn't take that much longer to complete the onward journey (sometimes its even quicker) as the long walks at CDG have to be factored in.

As was said above, CDG is handy for travelling on to other destinations in France, but for Paris and places north of it Beayvais wins for me.

naughtysmurf

Agree with pretty much all that's been said, CDG is huge, All things being equal, cost, number of bags etc, if I was just heading to Paris for a weekend it's Beauvais all the way, chances are you will be on the way in on the bus before your bags would be even on the carousel in CDG

Madam

I don't mind the journey into Beauvais but I do hate the mad rush for the bus and the queue's for it on the way back! Ideally I like to arrive at Beauvais and return at CDG.

stuff stolen from my bags going through Beauvais on one occasion.
CDG is huge - ok to transit through tho if you're not changing terminals. Biggest rip-off in terms of prices for coffee, beer, food etc. that I've seen anywhere tho.

tatli_lokma

glasso wrote: »

stuff stolen from my bags going through Beauvais on one occasion.

In fairness, that can happen in any airport in any country, so it wouldn't put me off Beauvais.

Best protection for your suitcase is a keyring! seriously. Don't bother with expensive locks - they can be popped or literally pulled off (the lock won't break but the zip will come away). I always put the metal ring of a keyring on my bags. It is fiddly to open, so it deterrs the opportunist thief. Of course they can still rip open the zip, but generally the fiddly nature of the keyring is a better deterrent than a lock. And no remembering where you put the damn keys or what the combination is!

Little Ted

Little Ted wrote: »

In fairness, that can happen in any airport in any country, so it wouldn't put me off Beauvais.

Best protection for your suitcase is a keyring! seriously. Don't bother with expensive locks - they can be popped or literally pulled off (the lock won't break but the zip will come away). I always put the metal ring of a keyring on my bags. It is fiddly to open, so it deterrs the opportunist thief. Of course they can still rip open the zip, but generally the fiddly nature of the keyring is a better deterrent than a lock. And no remembering where you put the damn keys or what the combination is!

yes but it's never happened anywhere else through years and years of travelling all over the world.....

athtrasna

Air France to CDG all the way. You arrive into Terminal 2 which although large is bright and clean. Allocated seats, checked in bag, food and drink. RER from CDG to Luxembourg takes about 30 minutes and we always stay in a Comfort Inn about 90 seconds from the station. Landing to hotel in 45 mins is easily doable. Similarly just one RER from hotel to airport, no changes needed, perfect.

I would never fly Aer Lingus to CDG. Terminal 1 is a kip, of the highest order. It's like a giant hamster wheel and if you think the walk in T2 is long, T1 is twice as bad, and old and worn and horrible.

Have done the Beauvais thing once, and never again. Our flight arrived late which meant they put a coach on for us only as far as Beauvais train station. Got a train from there which brought us into Gare du Nord at 5pm. Total nightmare. Going back I hated waiting for the coach and being so time restricted and then being stranded in Beauvais with it's crappy facilities for 3 hours as we were delayed again.

tatli_lokma

glasso wrote: »

yes but it's never happened anywhere else through years and years of travelling all over the world.....

that's just luck! and in years of travelling one experience in Beauvais is more unfortunate than a sign that it is a regular occurrance. I have had my bags rummaged in Tunisia and Malta. After Tunisia I bought a swanky lock. But they actually just shoved a screwdriver into it in Malta. So now I have the keyring. I don't know if its the keyring or luck that I have never had a bag rifled since, but I would say that bag rifling is more of an opportunistic event and can happen in any airport.

Unshelved

I don't mind the journey into Beauvais but I do hate the mad rush for the bus and the queue's for it on the way back! Ideally I like to arrive at Beauvais and return at CDG.

+1 on this - especially if you're flying Air France return - T2 in De Gaulle is great - and it has free wifi. Arriving in Beauvais is grand - there's a bus waiting to whisk you directly into Paris - no delays, no hassle. The return journey is awful, standing around in a car park in Port Maillot isn't anyone's idea of fun. An especially miserable experience is when flight delays occur on the return leg - being stranded in Beauvais is just horrible.

To be honest, I avoid Ryanair flights now when I can - I hate the way they've become so picky about hand luggage. The staff seem to get a real kick out of catching someone out. I know you get what you pay for, but flying Ryanair is turning into a nastier and nastier experience.

Unshelved

Unshelved wrote: »

+1 on this - especially if you're flying Air France return - T2 in De Gaulle is great - and it has free wifi. Arriving in Beauvais is grand - there's a bus waiting to whisk you directly into Paris - no delays, no hassle. The return journey is awful, standing around in a car park in Port Maillot isn't anyone's idea of fun. An especially miserable experience is when flight delays occur on the return leg - being stranded in Beauvais is just horrible.

To be honest, I avoid Ryanair flights now when I can - I hate the way they've become so picky about hand luggage. The staff seem to get a real kick out of catching someone out. I know you get what you pay for, but flying Ryanair is turning into a nastier and nastier experience.

I agree, especially flights over 1h30. It's the great cattle-shed in the sky. anyway let's not turn this into a ryanair thread.

keithclancy

I'd take a small airport over a big airport any day.

Even Cork vs Dublin, you can sit in Cork and have a beer less than 100meters away from the Gate.

Much less hassle and security is usually much quieter as well.

Cotsy

Currently sitting in T1 cdg. Flying aerlingus. It sure is a concrete pile with very poor food options for an an airport of its size. Don't think there's even a TV anywhere to watch champions league tonight. I find it easy to get around now that I know how it works though. I would say that its quicker to get to/ from your gate in T1 than T2 for city jet. While T2 looks nicer and newer the facilities are much the same and I've found the walk from the gate long and at least once had to bus from terminal to plane. Depending on your gate you might also have to get on an airport train

I mainly travel with work so don't consider Beauvais. But I have done it plenty of times in the past. Beauvais is fine, the bus to Paris is fine my biggest put is the fear of missing the bus and the prospect of getting the bus back to the airport at rush hour. Cdg has the option of RER or taxi.

roundymac

keithclancy wrote: »

I'd take a small airport over a big airport any day.

Even Cork vs Dublin, you can sit in Cork and have a beer less than 100meters away from the Gate.

Much less hassle and security is usually much quieter as well.

Problem is you can't fly Cork-Beauvais.:(

Louche Lad

keithclancy wrote: »

I'd take a small airport over a big airport any day.

Even Cork vs Dublin, you can sit in Cork and have a beer less than 100meters away from the Gate.

Much less hassle and security is usually much quieter as well.

Smaller airports are almost always better in my experience. Much less walking, much smaller queues, easier to find your way around etc. so you don't get too stressed, even if you have to suffer with the unpleasantness of Ryanair.

SpaceTime

Ryanair aren't as unpleasant and unhelpful as CDG ground crew.

It has to be the most customer unfriendly airport I have ever had the misfortune of using.

And T1 is worn out and very lacking in facilities, especially places to eat.

Yamanoto

SpaceTime wrote: »

And T1 is worn out and very lacking in facilities, especially places to eat.

T2 is impressive in parts, but suffers a similar dearth of spots to find decent food at a reasonable price.

Say what you will about DUB or LHR, but spots like Boots & WH Smith offer so much of what a traveller actually needs when on the go.

SpaceTime

France in general is increasingly behind the times when it comes to convenience retail though.

It can be difficult to get decent food between traditional meal times other than fast food joints like Quick and McDonald's.

I think CDG just reflects that tbh and it's a very bad image of France to project too.

I increasingly have to rely on going to supermarkets when I'm in France on business because I'm celiac and often you literally can't get something as a snack that isn't on bread or full of stuff that I can't be sure is gluten free.

I asked a waiter a couple of times if I could get a salad off-menu and got told no and ended up just leaving.

Also had a huge issue getting information about whether a soup contained wheat. They seemed almost insulted that I asked.

So, I just go to a supermarket and buy paper plates and make my own salad at the airport.

Pettty pathetic for a 21st century so called world city.

Sorry Parisians but your food service is stuck in the 1970s. I have no issues in Ireland, Britain, the US, Belgium, Germany, Spain, in Italy they were amazingly helpful and completely capable of whipping up a meal that had no wheat.

Sad to say it as I've French connections but, aspects of France really need to up their game.

Overpriced, microwaved croque monsieur served with a scowl is frankly an insult to centuries of excellent French cuisine and that's precisely what visitors are being presented with.

The only decent place I can find for decent all day eating is that bakery chain, Paul. They'll generally be flexible enough to do a salad or something that I can eat.

Louche Lad

Louche Lad wrote: »

Smaller airports are almost always better in my experience. Much less walking, much smaller queues, easier to find your way around etc. so you don't get too stressed, even if you have to suffer with the unpleasantness of Ryanair.

SpaceTime wrote: »

Ryanair aren't as unpleasant and unhelpful as CDG ground crew.

It has to be the most customer unfriendly airport I have ever had the misfortune of using.

And T1 is worn out and very lacking in facilities, especially places to eat.

Ryanair staff individually are OK, in case you were thinking I was saying they weren't.

It's just the general feel of their whole operation that means I don't have any positive feelings for it - I have as much affection for Ryanair as for a multistorey car park, or a toilet in a shopping centre, or something like that. Maybe the French have a word for that sort of feeling.;)

Anyway, I do agree, CDG is pretty dismal.

Louche Lad

SpaceTime wrote: »

France in general is increasingly behind the times when it comes to convenience retail though.

It can be difficult to get decent food between traditional meal times other than fast food joints like Quick and McDonald's.

I think CDG just reflects that tbh and it's a very bad image of France to project too.

I increasingly have to rely on going to supermarkets when I'm in France on business because I'm celiac and often you literally can't get something as a snack that isn't on bread or full of stuff that I can't be sure is gluten free.

I asked a waiter a couple of times if I could get a salad off-menu and got told no and ended up just leaving.

Also had a huge issue getting information about whether a soup contained wheat. They seemed almost insulted that I asked.

So, I just go to a supermarket and buy paper plates and make my own salad at the airport.

Pettty pathetic for a 21st century so called world city.

Sorry Parisians but your food service is stuck in the 1970s. I have no issues in Ireland, Britain, the US, Belgium, Germany, Spain, in Italy they were amazingly helpful and completely capable of whipping up a meal that had no wheat.

Sad to say it as I've French connections but, aspects of France really need to up their game.

Overpriced, microwaved croque monsieur served with a scowl is frankly an insult to centuries of excellent French cuisine and that's precisely what visitors are being presented with.

The only decent place I can find for decent all day eating is that bakery chain, Paul. They'll generally be flexible enough to do a salad or something that I can eat.

Maybe this deserves its own thread ("Let's All Bash The French"?:)), but anyway I agree a fair amount. I'm tired of having to go to a supermarket to buy some biscuits at 3 p.m. as that's all I can get when I'm starving. It was especially difficult going out with a vegan friend in Paris a few years ago.

SpaceTime

Louche Lad wrote: »

Maybe this deserves its own thread ("Let's All Bash The French"?:)), but anyway I agree a fair amount. I'm tired of having to go to a supermarket to buy some biscuits at 3 p.m. as that's all I can get when I'm starving. It was especially difficult going out with a vegan friend in Paris a few years ago.

Paris is improving a bit in terms of vegan / vegetarian options.

Also, they've adopted 'le fooding' quite seriously ... we'd probably call it 'modern fusion cuisine' or something like that i.e. not sticking to stodgy old recipes and being extremely stuck up about them.

There's a whole rake of very interesting new cafes and restaurants around France. It's just none of them are in airports.

keithclancy

Louche Lad wrote: »

Maybe this deserves its own thread ("Let's All Bash The French"?:)), but anyway I agree a fair amount. I'm tired of having to go to a supermarket to buy some biscuits at 3 p.m. as that's all I can get when I'm starving. It was especially difficult going out with a vegan friend in Paris a few years ago.

Paris isn't really part of France anyway

I found the selection and quality of food up North fine, also in the south around Nice.

I haven't ventured to Paris as an adult yet.