How To Get From Charles de Gaulle Airport to La Défense: Taxi, RER and Fares

La Défense is Paris’s business district, a cluster of towers west of the city around the Grande Arche, with offices, a large shopping centre and the Paris La Défense Arena. It sits on the opposite side of Paris from Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG), so the trip means crossing the whole region. This guide compares the main options for getting from CDG to La Défense, with times and costs.

CDG to La Défense at a glance

Fares, timetables and ticket prices change. The figures below are what we found at the time of writing, so check the operator or our price calculator before you travel.

Private transfer from CDG to La Défense

A pre-booked driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your tower, hotel or event. For business travellers this means a quiet vehicle, time to work or rest on the way and no fumbling with tickets, and the fare is fixed whatever the traffic does. Because the fare covers the whole vehicle, it is a good option for colleagues travelling together.

The price covers the vehicle, not each seat. Larger groups are priced on a bigger vehicle, so use the fare calculator for nine or more passengers.

What is included

• Fixed fare for the whole vehicle, confirmed before you travel.
• Flight monitoring for arrivals, so a late landing does not add to the price.
• Child and booster seats are provided free when you ask for them in advance.
• No payment upfront. You settle with the driver at the end, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before.

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By RER B and RER A

The public transport route is simple on paper: take the RER B from the airport into Paris, change at Châtelet–Les Halles to the RER A towards Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy or Cergy, and get off at La Défense–Grande Arche. The whole trip takes about 55 minutes and the Paris Region–Airports ticket covers it, so check the operator for the current price. It is the cheapest option for one person with a small bag.

• The change at Châtelet–Les Halles is one of the biggest stations in Paris, with a long walk and stairs.
• Rush hours are very busy, especially towards La Défense in the morning.
• Luggage: large cases are hard work on this route, especially with a pushchair.

Why not a standard taxi?

The official flat fares for taxis from the airport apply to destinations inside central Paris. La Défense lies outside the city boundary, so a standard taxi is normally charged by the meter, and the final price depends on the route and the traffic. A pre-booked transfer gives you a fixed price up front, which helps when you are claiming expenses or planning a budget.

Getting around La Défense

• The Grande Arche and the main plaza are pedestrian, so your driver may drop you at the nearest road entrance. Give us the exact tower or entrance name.
• For events at the Paris La Défense Arena, ask for a drop-off at the arena side to avoid a long walk.
• If you are heading on to the city, see our guides on getting from Gare du Nord to La Défense and from Disneyland Paris to La Défense.

How the fare splits across your group

Because the private fare is for the vehicle, the cost per person falls as the group grows. Here is how the Piyo Cab fare to La Défense divides.

The RER is charged per ticket, so its cost rises with every traveller. Check the operator for the current price and compare. For one traveller with a small bag the train will normally cost less, while for a group the door-to-door fare is usually the better value for the time it saves.

Time of day matters

The roads between the airport and La Défense are busy at weekday rush hours, in the morning towards the business district and in the evening away from it. The RER B and A are also crowded then. If you are free to choose, a midday or evening arrival is quieter. If you have a meeting, allow generous time between landing and the start, and share your flight number so we can follow your landing time.

Going back to CDG

For the return, book the pick-up for a time that gives you about three hours before an international flight. A door-to-door ride from your tower or hotel means no change at Châtelet–Les Halles with luggage, which is the most tiring part of the public route. Confirm both legs together, and you can adjust either up to 24 hours before.

Practical tips

• Share your flight number and terminal when you book, so we can follow your landing time.
• Allow extra time on weekday mornings, when the roads towards La Défense are busiest.
• See all our fares on the pricing page.