Best Ways to Get from Charles de Gaulle to Gare d'Austerlitz: Every Transfer Option Compared (2026 Guide)
You have just arrived at Charles de Gaulle following an overnight flight, and the Intercités de Nuit which goes down to Toulouse or Latour-de-Carol departs from Gare d'Austerlitz in less than three hours. There is no direct train connection between the two places — you'll soon discover this the hard way if you haven't been informed already. The distance covered is about 35 to 38 km and, from door to door, the journey takes between 45 minutes and well over an hour depending on the mode of travel and the time of departure. This guide is aimed at people who are transferring from CDG to one of the night trains or regional services at Austerlitz heading south, particularly if you've just arrived jet-lagged, are carrying luggage and don't want to risk making the connection. While booking a private transfer in advance removes the element of uncertainty, it's not the only way of getting there — let's look at the options that actually work.
Quick Answer: The Best Way from Charles de Gaulle to Gare d'Austerlitz
Since there is no direct train between CDG and Gare d'Austerlitz, public transport requires at least one change; the usual route is to take the RER B to Gare du Nord and then Metro Line 5—the fare is €. The quickest and most comfortable way to get from one place to the other is by taxi or private transfer (€€€), whereas the RER B to RER C route via Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame is slower but still a viable option (€€).
| Distance | Fastest option | Cheapest option | Most comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~35–38km | Private transfer / taxi | RER B + Metro 5 | Private transfer |
Understanding the Charles de Gaulle → Gare d'Austerlitz Route
CDG is situated approximately 25 km northeast of central Paris; Gare d'Austerlitz is on the other side of the city, in the 13th arrondissement on the Left Bank, precisely at Quai d'Austerlitz, the point where the Seine turns to the south. This is the fundamental issue with taking this route – instead of just going 'into town', you are cutting diagonally across Paris.
If you are driving, you should take the A1 motorway from Roissy, then join the Boulevard Périphérique and exit towards Porte d'Italie or the Quai de la Gare in order to get to the south side of the station. There is no alternative but to take the Périphérique on this route, and it is this section that has the greatest effect on your journey time — it is smooth at 11 a.m. but slows down considerably at 8 a.m. or 6 p.m.
There is no direct rail connection either. All train options require at least one change in central Paris, which is important to keep in mind when arranging a tight connection. Since Gare d'Austerlitz mainly serves night trains operated by Intercités de Nuit and those heading towards the southwest and Spain, a good many of the people taking this particular route are catching an overnight departure — and therefore a missed connection costs more than it would if they had been traveling regionally on the same day.
Your Transfer Options, One by One
Here the compromise between price and comfort is quite predictable: the more you cut costs, the more changes and stairs you'll have to accept.
RER B + Metro Line 5
Possible, but you'll have to work for it with a suitcase.
The usual public transport route is to take the RER B from the airport to Gare du Nord, then change to Metro Line 5 toward Place d'Italie, and get off at Gare d'Austerlitz. The time it takes to walk to the RER B platform at CDG depends greatly on which terminal you're at—ranging from three to eight minutes if you're at Terminal 1 or 3, but it can take 12 to 15 minutes to get to the station if you're at Terminal 2. After boarding, the RER B journey to Gare du Nord takes about 30 to 35 minutes, and the subsequent metro journey with the change adds another 15 to 20 minutes.
- Pros: Cheapest option (€), frequent departures, no need to book ahead
- Cons: At least one change with stairs and escalators, RER B is prone to delays and can get crowded with bags
- Best for: Solo travelers packing light who don't mind navigating stations
If all you have is a backpack and you aren't particularly fussed about navigating, this is truly acceptable.
RER B + RER C (via Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame)
A less noisy option than changing to the Metro 5, even if it isn't necessarily quicker.
Instead of changing at Gare du Nord, you can stay on RER B to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame. Then switch to RER C toward Massy-Palaiseau, Dourdan, or Saint-Martin-d'Étampes. Any of those trains stop at Gare d'Austerlitz. This is a single-level change instead of going down into the metro, which helps if you have a large suitcase. The whole trip takes about 60 to 65 minutes.
- Pros: Fewer stairs than the Metro 5 route, direct RER-to-RER interchange
- Cons: RER C's branching directions confuse first-timers, slightly longer overall
- Best for: Travelers with bulkier luggage who'd rather avoid a metro platform
Taxi
Simple, measured, and it is in fact the choice most local people make when they are short on time.
Outside each terminal, official taxis wait at designated queues and charge either a metered fare or a fixed rate according to the time of day and the destination zone. Allow between 40 and 70 minutes depending on traffic on the Périphérique, and the price is firmly in the €€€ range since it is charged per vehicle rather than per person, a factor that becomes important if there are more than one of you.
- Pros: No booking needed, driver knows the roads, luggage goes straight in the boot
- Cons: Rank queues can run long at peak arrival banks, fare varies with traffic
- Best for: Travelers who'd rather queue on arrival than book ahead
Private Transfer
Once it's booked, the one that you never need to think about.
With a pre-booked private transfer, the driver will meet you in the arrival hall—having been flight-tracked so that if your landing is delayed you won't be left waiting—and will take you straight to the forecourt of Gare d'Austerlitz on the Quai d'Austerlitz side, with no changes of transport and no need to wait in a queue. The price is in the €€€ range, is given to you at the outset, and remains fixed no matter the traffic conditions; this rate is charged per vehicle, not per person.
- Pros: Fixed price agreed before you fly, door-to-door with no station navigation, flight tracked
- Cons: Costs more than public transport for a solo traveler, needs booking ahead
- Best for: Families, groups, night-train connections where missing it isn't an option
Ride-Hailing Apps
Projects, with the exception of price certainty.
Uber and similar services operate from designated pickup areas at CDG. The journey time is about the same as a taxi, but the fare varies with demand—if you land during a surge period, the price can rise considerably above what a fixed-rate transfer would cost for the same seat.
- Pros: Familiar app booking, no cash needed
- Cons: Surge pricing at busy arrival times, pickup zone can be a walk from baggage claim
- Best for: Travelers comfortable checking the fare estimate before confirming
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Option | Door-to-door time | Price level | Luggage | Transfers needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RER B + Metro 5 | 55–70 min | € | Manageable, stairs involved | 1 change | Solo, light packers |
| RER B + RER C | 60–75 min | €€ | Easier with big cases | 1 change | Bulkier luggage |
| Taxi | 40–70 min | €€€ | Easy, boot space | None | On-arrival flexibility |
| Private transfer | 40–65 min | €€€ | Easy, driver assists | None | Families, night-train connections |
| Ride-hailing | 40–70 min | €€–€€€ | Easy, boot space | None | App users, price-checkers |
Which Option Is Right For You? (Matching According to Traveler Type)
For families with small children: the stair transitions between the RER and the metro quickly become a nuisance when using a stroller and two suitcases – having a private transfer with a child seat arranged in advance avoids the need to juggle everything.
For sole budget travelers: if you're only bringing one bag and aren't minded about a bit of navigating, taking the RER B down to the Metro 5 is actually the reasonable option here.
When travelling in groups of four or more, you can divide four train tickets between one €€€ vehicle fare and the private transfer, which usually proves to be cheaper per person, in addition to the advantage of not having to split up among a crowded carriage.
For night trains: if you are taking a night Intercités departure, a fixed-time pickup eliminates the one factor—namely, a delayed flight or a stalled RER—that might actually cause you to miss the train.
For those who are visiting Paris: asking someone who is new to the system to make two changes when you have just arrived after a long-haul flight is a great deal to ask; having a driver waiting for you at arrival eliminates that whole decision tree.
People who have a lot of luggage: if you'd taken the shortcut between the stairs at Gare du Nord and the walk from Gare de Lyon, it is usually at the point where public transport gives up on them.
The Case for Booking a Private Transfer with Top Paris Transfer
For a family of four, the cost of four individual € RER and metro tickets can be nearly the same as that of one €€€ private vehicle – except that the vehicle also eliminates the need for stairs, transfers, and keeps all of everyone's luggage with them throughout the journey.
We keep an eye on your flight, so even if your arrival at CDG is delayed, you won't miss your driver – he or she will be there in the arrivals area with your name, no matter which terminal you land at. The price is set at the time of booking and isn't charged based on traffic on the Périphérique or increased by a surge multiplier, as some app fares are. Child seats, additional luggage space, and 24-hour availability are all included, something that's important if your flight lands at an unusual hour and the night train at Austerlitz doesn't wait.
A recent example was a family of five who arrived at CDG Terminal 2E with a 9:40 p.m. Intercités de Nuit train bound for Toulouse in order to make the connection. The flight was delayed by 40 minutes, which was enough to prevent them from catching the RER B and the metro with the children and their luggage. The driver had already adjusted the pickup time based on the flight tracker and had them at the forecourt of Austerlitz with 25 minutes to spare.
👉 Book your private transfer from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Gare d'Austerlitz with Top Paris Transfer — the price is fixed, and the driver will be waiting for you when you arrive.
When to Travel: Traffic & Timing on This Route
The A1 and the Périphérique are busy between 7:30 and 9:30 in the morning and in the evening from about 5 to 7:30, so a 40-minute journey can take 20 to 30 minutes longer. It's less crowded at midday and in the late evening. Public transport isn't completely free from this problem either: the RER B becomes very crowded during those same hours, which can feel slow when you're standing around with your bags.
One thing to keep in mind is that when trade fairs are taking place at Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, near CDG, they add extra traffic on the A1 in each direction and can fill early RER B trains with delegates. It's worth adding extra buffer time if your dates coincide with a major salon, no matter which mode of transport you choose.
What This Route Really Costs (Including the Costs Nobody Mentions)
Public transport is at the € level—since a single ticket for the Paris Region and the airports includes the entire RER and metro journey and is charged per person, a group has to pay several times the amount. Taxis and private transfers are in the €€€ range, but this is a per-vehicle price, which changes the figures for people traveling in pairs or as a family. Ride-hailing costs vary between €€ and €€€, depending on arrival time and how busy the app's pricing is at that time.
The costs that are never discussed are the fact that since the Roissybus was stopped in March 2026, there is no simple direct bus service from CDG to the city center, which has caused more tourists to choose the RER-plus-transfer option than they did a few years ago—something to bear in mind if an older guide has given you a different impression. You also have to add in the time it takes to walk and the number of stairs at Gare du Nord when carrying heavy bags, together with the fact that taxi meters continue to run when you are standing in traffic on the Périphérique, whereas a fixed-price transfer does not change no matter how long the journey takes. For an average family of four, the private transfer usually ends up being the more predictable expense when you factor in all the tickets and the inconvenience avoided.
Mistakes to Avoid on the Charles de Gaulle → Gare d'Austerlitz Journey
If there is a direct train — there isn't — all the rail routes require at least one change in central Paris, so make allow for that when you're planning your journey.
Head towards the old Air France bus stop. The coach routes, such as the one that used to go to Gare de Lyon, ceased operating in 2020 and have never been replaced.
The Roissybus is no longer available as a backup option; it won't be appearing as a downtown shuttle service from March 2026 onwards.
Treat the connection when taking an Intercités de Nuit train departing from Austerlitz as you would an international flight transfer, not as a simple transfer within the same city.
If you exit at the wrong terminal at CDG, the RER B platform in Terminal 2 is a real 12 to 15-minute walk from some of the gates—make sure you allow for this before thinking that you have 20 minutes to spare.
If you want to walk from Gare de Lyon. The Pont Charles de Gaulle spans the two stations over a distance of about 700 metres, which is manageable when carrying a backpack but a bad idea if you are dragging suitcases after a long flight.
If you don't check which RER B line you need—the Metro 5 at Gare du Nord or the RER C at Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame—you'll have to backtrack with your bags during your journey.
FAQ
Is there a direct train running from Charles de Gaulle Station to Gare d'Austerlitz?
Not at all; each rail route requires at least one change in central Paris—or else it involves transferring from the RER B to metro line 5 at Gare du Nord, or transferring from the RER B to the RER C at Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame.
What is the fare for a taxi from CDG to Gare d'Austerlitz?
Taxi fares are in the €€€ category and are charged per vehicle, either metered or fixed depending on the time of day; traffic on the Périphérique is the main factor.
What is the journey time from Charles de Gaulle to Gare d'Austerlitz?
It takes between 45 minutes and just over an hour, depending on the mode of travel and traffic conditions—private transfers and taxis are usually the fastest during off-peak times, while public transport remains fairly consistent regardless of road conditions.
Is the Roissybus still a possibility for this route?
No — the Roissybus between central Paris and CDG was permanently discontinued on 1 March 2026, so it's no longer part of any route planning here.
Can I walk between Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz if my train stops there first?
Yes, via the Pont Charles de Gaulle bridge — about 700 meters, or 10–15 minutes on foot, but only sensible if you're traveling light.
Is a private transfer worth it for this route?
For solo light-packers, public transport is genuinely fine. For families, groups, or anyone connecting onto a night train from Austerlitz, a fixed-price private transfer removes the risk of a missed connection for a cost that often works out similar per person once split across the group.
Which CDG terminal exit should I use for public transport?
Follow signs for "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1" if you're in Terminal 1 or 3, or "Aéroport Charles de Gaulle TGV" for Terminal 2 — the RER B station serves both, but the walk from Terminal 2 gates runs noticeably longer.
Does luggage fit easily on the RER B and Metro Line 5?
One suitcase is manageable, but Gare du Nord's transfer to Metro 5 involves stairs rather than a step-free interchange, so more than one bag per person gets awkward fast.
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