Have you ever been lost at CDG Airport (Charles de Gaulle) trying to find your way to the hotel where you’ve reserved a room? I have.
When I head back to the US from Uzés for my family visits, I try to stay at a hotel at CDG the night before the flight. It’s my way of dealing with travel stress. Until this trip, however, I’ve been lost trying to find the way to the hotel. More stress…
This time I was determined to figure it out. It couldn’t be that hard. Besides, what else was I going to do to spend the 24 hours before my next day flight to Atlanta? So I walked slowly through the train station; I read all the signs; and I took photos along the way. Now, if I forget next visit, hopefully, this will help.
Here we go … from the CDG trains (Gare) to one of these airport hotels: Citizen M, Hilton, Novotel or Ibis (If you’re staying at a CDG hotel other than these, I’m afraid this guide won’t help you.)
Trains arrive at CDG on this lower level. Ride the escalator up to the next level. If you have too many bags for the escalator, walk behind it, and you’ll see signs for the elevator (Ascenseur)
At the top of the escalator
Enter the terminal
You’re here. Now look for the escalator to your left.
Take this escalator up to the level with the big blue display board.
Look at the second sign, the one on the left. It’s showing you the way to the airport shuttle … see close up below.
Airport shuttle sign looks like a little train on a track. Follow the sign and go left here.
Up the escalator
On this level, it gets a little confusing. Relax. Look to your right for the hallway with signs that have the little train on the track. That’s the way to the airport shuttle.
Down again
You’ve made it to the shuttle. But there are two tracks … and everyone’s in a hurry…which way to go??? Here’s a little secret … you can’t go the wrong way!! Both shuttles go back and forth along the same route.
If you go the wrong way, sit back and relax. You’ll get to the right stop… Roissypôle.
You’re almost there! But it does continue to be a bit confusing. There’s a lot of construction going on at Roissypôle.
Exit the terminal. An IBIS hotel is right there. For others, look for a sign to the left of where the buses are stationed.
Hotel sign!
There it is! My favorite … Citizen M. The Hilton and others are off this same walkway.
Citizen M
At Citizen M, there’s always a friendly, welcoming host to meet you.
For more about “lost at CDG” and help navigating around the airport and train station: Finding Your Way Through Paris’ CDG
Categories: Around France, Blog, Paris
Dont think my comment went through… we too always stay at the Sheraton right in the terminal. So very easy, esp the next morning before a flight!
Sheraton is easy to find, too. It’s expensive but convenient. Thanks for your suggestion, Libby.
Hi Deborah, We always stay at the CDG Sheraton Hotel, located in Terminal 2E/F, directly above the TGV train station. We put our all our bags on the free luggage carts and push them to the hotel…the entire 5-10 minute walk from the baggage pickup area is indoors. If you’re coming in to CDG on the TGV, you’re already there. The price is higher, but it is so incredibly convenient that we always luxuriate in the ease of it all (and toast ourselves with a glass of rose once we’re there). There is virtually no airplane noise in the hotel rooms, and we always get a good night’s sleep. The next morning we’re refreshed and it’s an easy walk to get to our next flight (to SFO from Terminal 2E or to Montpellier in 2F) or to the TGV. Looking forward to a meet-up with you in Uzes in September…Patty and Jack Nelson.
So glad to hear from you, Patty, and to learn how to find the CDG Sheraton. I know it’s really convenient and good to know more options. Good to be rested before your long flight. Yes, looking forward to seeing you in September! Thanks for your information to all.
So helpful. CDG can be a stressful experience.
Hope to see you coming towards France again sometime soon. Maybe this will help.
Absolutely brilliant! X
Yes, I get lost almost everywhere…lol! Missing Uzés already!
This brought back many happy memories and one or two stress-filled ones when I was still trying to figure it out and you had to go to the top level of the terminal and wait for the shuttle for your hotel to come around. The new-ish shuttle is so much better! After many years of frequent international travel, I got to be fairly good at it. Cannot wait to move back to the Loire Valley next June!
Yes, you have to experience “lost” to appreciate knowing your way. So glad youre finding your way back to France. Loire Valley, no less. Bonne chance!!