The Champs-Élysées is the avenue most visitors picture when they think of Paris. It runs for about 1.9 km in the 8th arrondissement, from the Place de la Concorde at the lower end up to the Arc de Triomphe at the top. Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) is on the opposite side of the city, so the journey crosses the northern suburbs and enters the centre. This guide compares a private transfer with the train, then covers what the avenue offers and how to plan your stay.
Champs-Élysées route at a glance
| Option | Typical time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Private transfer (Piyo Cab) | About 45–60 minutes by road, depending on traffic | €80 fixed for 1–3 passengers |
| RER B, then Métro or RER A | Often 1 hour or more with a change | Check the operator for the current fare |
Fares, timetables, opening hours and ticket prices change. Check the operator or venue, or our fare calculator, before you travel.
Private transfer from CDG to the Champs-Élysées
A private transfer takes you from the arrivals hall to the door of your hotel or apartment near the avenue, with no Métro stairs and no luggage on the platform. The fare is the same whichever end of the avenue you choose, and the price covers the whole vehicle, not each seat.
| Passengers | Fixed fare for the whole vehicle | About per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | €80 | About €27–80 each |
| 4 | €85 | About €21 each |
| 5 | €90 | €18 each |
| 6 | €100 | About €16.70 each |
| 7 | €110 | About €15.70 each |
| 8 | €120 | €15 each |
What is included
- One fixed price agreed when you book. It covers tolls, taxes and fuel, with no meter and no surprises in traffic.
- Your flight is watched in real time if you share the flight number, so the pick-up follows your actual landing time.
- Baby seat and booster seat free on request (one of each), so tell us the ages when you book.
- Pay the driver in cash or by card at the start or end of the transfer. Booking is free, and changes or cancellation are free up to 24 hours ahead.
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Meeting your driver at Charles de Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle has three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2 (split into halls 2A to 2G) and Terminal 3. A free automatic shuttle, the CDGVAL, links the terminals and the train stations, so tell us your airline and terminal if you know them. After you collect your luggage and walk out of the arrivals hall, your driver will be waiting with a sign showing your name. If you cannot spot them for any reason, call or message us straight away on WhatsApp or +33 6 67 33 32 67 and we will guide you to the right door.
Because we track your flight number, a late landing does not mean a missed driver. If your plans change a lot, such as a cancelled flight or a different airport, let us know as early as you can.
By train: RER B, Métro and RER A
The RER B runs from the airport stations into central Paris. The usual route is to ride to Châtelet–Les Halles and change to the RER A, which stops at Charles de Gaulle–Étoile at the top of the avenue, or to the Métro towards the lower end. It avoids road traffic, but it involves a change, stairs and a crowded platform at busy times. With large cases or children, many travellers decide the transfer is worth the extra cost. Check the operator for the current timetable and ticket price before you rely on it.
A short history of the avenue
The Champs-Élysées began as a royal promenade laid out in the seventeenth century by the garden designer André Le Nôtre. The Arc de Triomphe, begun under Napoleon, gave the avenue its grand finish in the nineteenth century. In 1944 it became a stage for the Liberation of Paris, when General de Gaulle walked down it, cheered by hundreds of thousands of Parisians. Today it hosts the Bastille Day military parade on 14 July, the Christmas lights each winter and the finish of the Tour de France, which has ended on the avenue since 1975. If your trip falls on one of those dates, expect road closures and ask us about the best drop-off point.
Which end of the avenue?
- The Concorde end: beside the Tuileries gardens and Place de la Concorde, with easy walks to the Louvre and the Seine. The Champs-Élysées–Clemenceau and Concorde Métro stations are close.
- The middle: Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9) and George V (line 1) are handy for shopping streets and restaurants.
- The Étoile end: beside the Arc de Triomphe, with Charles de Gaulle–Étoile (Métro lines 1, 2 and 6 and the RER A) and a straight run along avenues to the Eiffel Tower area.
Send us the full street address from your booking so your driver goes to the right side street. Many hotels sit on streets that run off the avenue, which can be easier for a drop-off than the avenue itself.
What to do on and around the avenue
- Walk the length: the avenue is about 1.9 km, an easy stroll in under half an hour with stops. Start at the Arc and walk down, or the other way round.
- Arc de Triomphe: a viewing terrace on top and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath. See our Arc de Triomphe guide.
- Grand Palais and Petit Palais: near the lower end, with exhibitions and architecture.
- Jardin des Tuileries and Place de la Concorde: a calmer end to the walk.
- Dining and shopping: flagship stores, cafes and traditional brasseries line both sides, and quieter restaurants are on the side streets.
Practical tips for arriving with luggage
- Tell us the number of suitcases when you book so we send the right vehicle.
- Avenue traffic is heavy in the evening and on Saturdays, so allow extra time for a return to the airport.
- If you are staying only one night, ask about luggage storage at your hotel before check-in time.
Night arrivals and the return journey
- Night-time surcharge: a surcharge applies to transfers between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. It is always stated and confirmed in your booking, so there is no surprise on the day.
- Going back to the airport: for a flight, we recommend being collected at least 3 hours before departure. For a train, allow 2 hours. If you tell us your flight time, we will work out the pick-up with you.
- Delays: we monitor your flight or train number, so a delay moves your pick-up and does not cancel it.
Why book a fixed fare
After a flight, a known price and a driver waiting with your name is worth a lot. Piyo Cab has been running transfers around Paris since 2008 and is approved by Transport in France. Use the fare calculator for your exact group size, or message us on WhatsApp with your flight number and we will confirm the fare.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the Champs-Élysées from CDG airport?
It is roughly 30 km, and the drive usually takes 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic.
How much is a taxi from CDG to the Champs-Élysées?
Piyo Cab’s fixed Paris fare is €80 for one to three passengers, €85 for four, €90 for five, €100 for six, €110 for seven and €120 for eight. The price covers the whole vehicle.
Which train goes to the Champs-Élysées?
RER B from the airport to Châtelet–Les Halles, then RER A to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile at the top of the avenue, or the Métro towards the Concorde end. Check the operator for current timetables.
Is there a surcharge at night?
Yes. A night-time surcharge applies to transfers between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am. It is always confirmed in your booking.
How long is the Champs-Élysées?
About 1.9 km, from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.
