Do you have some spare time before your next flight? We have selected a few activities to do in order for you to discover Paris quickly when you have a 7-12 hour layover.
Things to know:
- Always check the time! You can register until 1 hour before departure time for most flights.
You can board up to 40 minutes before the flight. So you have to be back in the airport before these deadlines to go through security and be on time for your flight (as such, try to arrive at the airport at least 1h30 before your flight). - To be able to leave the airport, make sure you have a Schengen visa if you don’t live in the European Union (EU).
If you travel between countries belonging to the Schengen Area and live in an EU country, you won’t need a visa. Otherwise, you can get one online before you leave or in the embassy of the country you want to visit (in this case, France). - If your luggage is checked through to your final destination, you won’t have to pick it up in between your 2 flights.
However, if they’re not or if you have booked 2 different flights, you will have to pick them up. But you can leave them in the lockers available in the airport and re-check them in for your 2nd flight when you come back. - Please note from which terminal your flight will leave. Indeed, for instance, the Paris – Charles de Gaulle airport has 2 different RER stations: one for terminal 1 and 3 and another for terminal 2).
- If your second flight is to an EU country, you won’t have to go through immigration when boarding that flight. If it is not an EU country, you will have less time for yourself as you will have to go through immigration in addition to security.
For more information:
http://easycdg.com/passenger-information/connecting-flight-connections-paris-cdg-airport/
A few activities we recommend:
Attention: You won’t be able to do all of these suggestions, so pick a few of them you want to do while taking into account the time you have between your flights.
Notre-Dame-de-Paris
The beautiful cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous monuments of Paris. The visit to this monument won’t take more than 2 hours. The occasion for you to come here and leave with an amazing visit.
Time needed: ~2h
How to get there: Located on the RER B line, the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station is only 45 minutes away from the Charles de Gaulle airport.
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
– Enjoy a good meal at Aux Arts, etc…. It serves great salads and sandwiches just in front of the cathedral.
Tour Eiffel
Don’t miss your chance to see the Eiffel Tower! Depending on the length of your layover, you might not be able to climb up (waiting line can last up to 3 hours).
You can admire it and grab something to eat on the Champs de Mars, while waiting to get back to the airport.
Time needed: ~ 2h30
How to get there: RER B to Denfert Rochereau station then subway line 6 to Bir-Hakeim station (1h05).
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
– Away from tourist, the restaurant Alfio offers pizzas, each one better than the other.
Champs Elysées
Want to go shopping outside of the airport? Go on the Champs-Élysées. The most beautiful avenue in the world has a lot of shops and restaurants to relax in and walk around a little before going back to the airport.
Time needed: ~ 3h
How to get there: RER B to Châtelet les Halles station then subway line 1 to Champs-Elysées- Clémenceau station (57 minutes).
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
Louvre
The Louvre offers many exhibitions lasting 1h30 at the most.
Take a few pictures in front of the pyramids and enjoy beautiful works of art.
Time needed: ~3h
How to get there: RER B to Châtelet station then subway line 1 to Louvre-Rivoli station (55 min)
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
– Hungry? 9 minutes away by foot, the Bistrot Victoires offers delicious French dishes!
Bistros are typically Parisian places, so enjoy the unique atmosphere!
Jardin du Luxembourg
Why don’t you stroll in the Jardin du Luxembourg? In the 25 hectares, you can admire the Medici Fountain or some of the 106 statues that are in the park.
The garden has a French-style part in front of the Luxembourg Palace (seat of the French Senate) and an English garden. The Musée du Luxembourg, the Orangerie, and the greenhouses are also worth your time.
Time needed: ~2h30
How to get there: RER B to Luxembourg station (approximately 45 min).
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
Sacré Coeur
The Sacré-Coeur and the Montmartre district will please the curious people! Even if you don’t visit the basilica, the district is charming and deserves your attention.
Time needed: ~ 3h
How to get there: RER B to Paris Nord, then subway line 4 to Barbès station, walk to Anvers station (6 minutes) which is at the bottom of the Butte Montmartre. (55 minutes)
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
Bateaux-mouches tours
Do you just want to admire the monuments from afar? The bateaux mouches tours are made for you. Be amazed by the gorgeous views of the main monuments of Paris while going up and down the Seine!
Time needed: ~ 1h30
How to get there: RER B to Châtelet-les-Halles station then subway line 1 to Champs-Élysées – Clemenceau station, walk to Port de la Conférence (approximately 1h).
Price for 1 Origin-Destination ticket (one-use only): 10,30€
Advice, best plans, great places; I will help you in your search for trips, activities, hotels and restaurants. Whether it’s for a walk, a weekend, an afternoon or merely to find a trendy place to eat, I can give you all the pointers you need for your endeavor. Just follow the guide!
