CDG operates 24/7. Red-eyes from North America (landing 5-7 AM), late flights from Asia, and delayed European flights mean arrivals at all hours. The midnight-to-5 AM window is the trickiest for transport. Here's what actually works.
What stops running
- RER B train: Last train from CDG is around midnight (varies by day — check RATP.fr). First morning train around 5 AM.
- Roissybus and Le Bus Direct: both services have been withdrawn permanently — Roissybus on 28 February 2026, Le Bus Direct back in August 2020. Neither is an option at any hour.
What runs all night
Noctilien night buses (N140, N143)
Paris has a night bus network and two routes serve CDG:
- N140: CDG → Gare de l'Est (via Aulnay, Le Bourget). Takes about 80 minutes. Runs every 30-60 minutes.
- N143: CDG → Gare de l'Est (slightly different route). Every 30-60 minutes.
Fare: Noctilien is charged on ordinary Bus-Tram tickets (€2.05 each in 2026, Île-de-France Mobilités), not the €14 airport rail ticket — which makes it much the cheapest way into Paris at any hour. Check with Île-de-France Mobilités how many tickets the airport section requires before you board.
The night buses are functional but slow. They wind through suburbs, make many stops, and aren't the most comfortable with heavy luggage. They're safe but expect to share with late-night commuters and airport workers.
Taxis — 24/7 at the rank
Taxis operate around the clock, and the flat fares apply at all hours — there is no night supplement on the forfait:
- Right Bank: €56
- Left Bank: €65
The catch: taxi queue at night. CDG processes many late arrivals and early departures. Between 11 PM and 1 AM, and again around 5-7 AM, the taxi queue can be 20-40 minutes. At 3 AM, it's usually shorter (5-15 minutes).
The bright side of arriving late by taxi: no traffic. The A1 motorway is empty. The ride to Paris takes just 30-40 minutes instead of the daytime 50-90.
Uber — available but variable
Uber works 24/7, but late-night pricing varies — it tends to surge around the late-evening arrival peak and again as the morning rush builds, and to be at its cheapest in the small hours. The app quotes your trip before you accept, so check it against the €56 taxi flat fare and take whichever is lower.
| Time | Uber availability | Wait |
|---|---|---|
| 10 PM - midnight | Busy; surge likely | 5-15 min |
| Midnight - 2 AM | Moderate | 10-20 min |
| 2 AM - 5 AM | Quiet; usually cheapest | 10-25 min |
| 5 AM - 7 AM | Morning surge starts | 5-15 min |
Fixed-price private transfer
CDG Paris City Center
From€64for 2 passengers
Other destinations
The walk to the Uber pickup zone at 2 AM through a dimly lit parking structure isn't the most pleasant experience. But it works.
Pre-booked transfer — guaranteed
A transfer means your driver is in the arrivals hall at whatever hour you emerge, at a price fixed when you booked. Flight delayed 3 hours? They adjust automatically. Landing at 4 AM? They're there. The price doesn't change for night arrivals.
For late-night CDG arrivals, this is arguably the highest-value use of a transfer service.
Late-night price comparison
| Transport | Night price to Paris | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Noctilien bus (N140/N143) | Bus-Tram tickets, €2.05 each | All night (every 30-60 min) |
| Taxi (flat fare) | €56 / €65 | 24/7 (queue possible) |
| UberX | Dynamic — usually cheapest 2-5 AM | Good but variable |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed at booking | Guaranteed |
Safety at CDG at night
CDG is a secure airport with police and security around the clock. However:
- Inside the terminal: Safe. Security is present.
- Taxi queue area: Outdoors, can be cold and exposed. Safe but uncomfortable in winter.
- Uber pickup zone: Through parking structures that feel isolated at 3 AM. Safe but can feel eerie.
- Night bus stops: The bus stop areas are lit and monitored.
Scam alert: late at night, unlicensed drivers approach arrivals passengers more aggressively, offering "fixed prices" well above the €56 a licensed taxi must charge to the Right Bank. Knowing the forfait is your defence: any quote above it for a Paris address is a rip-off by definition. Never accept rides from anyone inside the terminal. Walk to the official taxi rank or your pre-booked transfer.
If you're arriving at 5-7 AM
Many transatlantic flights land between 5-7 AM. At this hour:
- RER B has just started running — trains every 15-20 minutes
- Taxi queue is building (business travelers heading in)
- Uber prices are rising as the morning surge starts
The RER B is actually the best option for early morning arrivals: frequent service, no traffic equivalent, and cheaper than everything else.
Sleeping at CDG
If you don't want to travel to Paris at 2 AM:
- Yotel CDG (Terminal 2E): pods bookable by the hour, inside the terminal.
- Hilton Paris CDG Airport: a full hotel connected to Terminal 2.
- Ibis CDG: near the airport, shuttle available.
Rates for all three move constantly with demand — check them directly rather than budgeting from a figure you read anywhere.
- Bench sleeping: CDG is not the worst airport for sleeping (Terminal 2E has some flat surfaces), but it's not comfortable.