Landing at CDG with a trade show badge to collect and a suitcase full of samples? The run from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte is one of the shortest in the Paris region. That said, choosing the wrong option can still leave you waiting in a queue for 30 minutes.
This is for exhibitors, trade visitors, conference speakers and anyone else staying at or near the exhibition centre. The venue is around 8- 12 km from the terminals, about 10-20 minutes by road or two RER B stops.
Below we compare every option that actually operates on this route (from the RER B to taxis). If you're transporting display material or you're arriving on a show opening morning, then a pre-booked private transfer from CDG Airport will take you from the arrivals hall to the exhibition entrance without you having to change.
What's the distance from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte?
Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is France's largest airport, with Terminals 1, 2 (A-G), and 3. Paris Nord Villepinte is a major exhibition centre in the ZAC Paris Nord 2 business park (93420 Villepinte) and hosts major events including Eurosatory, Milipol, SILMO, Intermat, and JEC World.
The two sites are neighbours. Here is what the trip looks like in practice:
- Distance: roughly 8–12 km by road, depending on your terminal
- Driving time: 10–15 minutes in light traffic, 20–35 minutes at peak times
- Train time: around 5–10 minutes on the RER B, plus walking time inside the terminal
- Rush hour impact: moderate on the motorway, but heavy at exhibition car-park entrances on show days
Route: drivers typically leave the airport on the A1 or the airport ring road and then take the A104 (La Francilienne) to the "Parc des Expositions" exit. The RER B goes straight from the airport stations to Parc des Expositions station, right next to the venue's main entrance.
What are the transfer options from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte?
Prices on this route are far more variable than the short distance would suggest. Public transport fares are fixed per person. Road options depend on traffic, time of day, and whether a major trade show is on.
Public transport:
- RER B train
- RATP bus (Line 350)
- Free event shuttles (only during selected shows)
Private transport:
- Private transfer
- Taxi
- Ride-hailing apps
- Car rental
There's no high-speed train or metro link between the two sites. The TGV station at CDG Terminal 2 serves other French cities; it doesn't serve Villepinte.
RER B Train
The RER B is the quickest public option. Trains depart from two airport stations: Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2-TGV (between Terminals 2C/2D and 2E/2F) and Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 (accessible via the free CDGVAL shuttle from Terminals 1 and 3).
- How it works: board any train bound for Paris and get off at Parc des Expositions (the first stop after CDG 1)
- Travel time: 5–10 minutes on the train, plus 10–20 minutes walking through the terminal
- Comfort: decent outside peak hours; crowded when a big show opens
- Luggage: manageable with one case, but escalators and ticket gates are tight with trolleys or display boxes
- Ideal user: solo visitors with carry-on luggage
- Price basis: per passenger, around €14 with the Paris Region Airports ticket
Pros
- Very short journey and unaffected by road traffic
- Trains run frequently from early morning until around midnight
Cons
- Long walk from some terminals before you even reach the platform
- Weekend and evening engineering works sometimes close airport stations
- Four people pay four fares, which adds up quickly
Local tip: don't get off at 'Villepinte' station as that's on a different branch and doesn't serve the exhibition centre. Your stop is Parc des Expositions.
👉 Travelling with samples or a group? A private CDG transfer removes the platform walk entirely.
You can check official train schedules and connections on the SNCF timetable page
RATP Bus Line 350
Bus 350 runs from the airport to Porte de la Chapelle in Paris and stops at Parc des Expositions along the way.
- How it works: board at the bus stops outside the terminals and ride to the exhibition centre stop
- Travel time: roughly 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic and stops
- Comfort: basic city bus with standing room at busy times
- Luggage: limited space; large cases can block the aisle
- Ideal user: budget travellers with light bags who are not in a hurry
- Price basis: per passenger, the price of a standard bus ticket (about €2)
Pros
- Cheapest way to make the trip
- No need to walk to a train station inside the terminal
Cons
- Slower than the train and exposed to road congestion
- Timetables and stop locations can change, so check the RATP app before travelling
👉 Want a guaranteed seat and space for your bags? Compare it with a pre-booked airport transfer.
Free Event Shuttles (Villepinte Express)
At certain large trade shows, the organisers will run free "Villepinte Express" coaches between CDG and the show. This has been the case at previous shows such as Milipol, Eurosatory and SILMO.
- How it works: departures from set terminal pick-up points, often Terminals 2B and 2F, roughly every 30 minutes
- Travel time: about 15–20 minutes
- Comfort: coach seats with luggage holds
- Luggage: generous hold space
- Ideal user: registered visitors arriving during the morning shuttle window
- Price basis: free for show attendees
Pros
- No cost and drops you near the halls
- Handles luggage better than the train
Cons
- Only available during specific events and limited hours, often mornings to the venue and afternoons back
- No service if your flight lands outside the timetable
Check your event's "Practical information" page before flying, as many travellers don't know about the available shuttles.
Private Transfer
A private transfer is a pre-booked car with a driver who will meet you in the arrivals hall and drive you directly to the exhibition entrance or your hotel.
- How it works: you book online via your flight number, the driver then tracks your arrival and will be waiting with a name sign.
- Travel time: 10–25 minutes, depending on traffic
- Comfort: sedan, executive car or minivan with seats for everyone
- Luggage: boot space confirmed at booking, including oversized cases and display stands
- Ideal user: exhibitors, families, groups and business travellers on a schedule
- Price basis: per vehicle, fixed in advance
Pros
- One fixed price for the whole group, agreed before you land
- Meet-and-greet inside the terminal; no taxi queue or ticket machines
- Driver drops you at the correct hall entrance
Cons
- Costs more than the train for a solo traveller
- Needs booking ahead, especially during big shows
👉 Book your CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte private transfer and get a fixed fare before you fly.
Taxi
Official Paris taxis will be waiting at the signed ranks outside each terminal. The exhibition centre is in the Paris taxi zone.
- How it works: join the official rank queue and give the driver the venue address
- Travel time: 10–25 minutes
- Comfort: standard saloon cars; vans are not always available
- Luggage: fine for two or three cases
- Ideal user: travellers who did not book ahead and have moderate luggage
- Price basis: metered by distance and time, as Villepinte is not covered by the CDG–Paris fixed fares
Pros
- Available on arrival without booking
- Door-to-door service
Cons
- Meter keeps running in heavy traffic, so the final fare is unpredictable
- Rank queues can be long when several long-haul flights land together
- Some drivers prefer longer Paris fares over short local trips
Only use the official rank. Unlicensed drivers will occasionally come to you in the arrivals hall.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Uber, Bolt, and the like operate at CDG, with pick-up zones at each terminal.
- How it works: request a car in the app and meet the driver at the designated pick-up area
- Travel time: 10–25 minutes plus waiting time
- Comfort: varies by vehicle class
- Luggage: depends on the car; larger classes cost more
- Ideal user: app users comfortable with variable pricing
- Price basis: per vehicle, with dynamic pricing
Pros
- Price shown before you confirm
- Card payment through the app
Cons
- Surge pricing during show openings and closing times
- Pick-up zones can be a long walk from your gate
- Driver cancellations are common when demand spikes
Car Rental
All the major rental companies have desks at CDG, and the exhibition centre has visitor car parks.
- How it works: collect your car at the terminal and then drive via the A104 to the Parc des Expositions exit.
- Travel time: 10–25 minutes, plus rental desk and parking time
- Comfort: private vehicle, but you drive
- Luggage: depends on the car category
- Ideal user: visitors planning to travel around Île-de-France after the show
- Price basis: per day, plus fuel and parking
Pros
- Flexible for multi-day trips beyond Villepinte
- Useful for exhibitors moving equipment between sites
Cons
- Rental desk queues often take longer than the drive itself
- Show-day parking fills early and is charged per day
Comparison of Transfer Options
| Option | Time | Comfort | Luggage | Direct | Cost |
|---|
| RER B | 5-10 mins (+ terminal walk) | Medium | Limited | Yes (to Parc des Expositions) | ~€14 per person |
| Bus 350 | 15–30 min | Basic | Limited | Yes, with stops | ~€2 per person |
| Event shuttle | 15–20 min | Good | Good | Yes, show days only | Free |
| Private transfer | 10–25 min | High | Excellent | Door-to-door | €45–90 per vehicle |
| Taxi | 10–25 min | Good | Good | Door-to-door | €25–45 (metered) |
| Ride apps | 10–25 min + wait | Varies | Varies | Door-to-door | €20–50 (dynamic) |
| Car rental | 10-25 mins + desk time | Good | Good | Yes | €40+/day + parking |
Fastest: RER B for one person with light bags. Cheapest: Bus 350 or the free event shuttle. Best for with luggage and for groups: a private transfer.
Best Option for Different Travellers
- Families with children: private transfer with child seats booked in advance. No need to push a buggy through the ticket gates.
- Couples: the RER B is OK if you're light on the luggage; a private car is the way to go if you've got two large suitcases.
- Groups of 4-8: a minivan transfer will generally be cheaper per head than four or more RER tickets plus a second taxi.
- Budget travellers: Bus 350 or the free shuttle (if your event has one).
- Business travellers: private transfer with flight tracking so you can take your calls in the car rather than having to navigate the terminal.
- Travellers with a lot of luggage: private transfer or taxi. Exhibitors with roll-up banners and sample cases are having a real old-time on the crowded RER platforms.
- First time visitors to Paris a driver will of course avoid the cardinal sin of getting off at the wrong 'Villepinte' station.
- For late night travellers the only viable option is a pre-booked car or taxi (after the last RER).
- Travellers on a tight schedule: the RER B for a single traveller; a pre-booked car if your terminal is a long way from the station.
- For the elderly: a private transfer with meet and greet eliminates the need for long walks and stairs.
Example scenario: A family of four arrive at Terminal 2E at 8.15 on opening day of the trade show. On the RER B, they'd be looking at about €56 in fares, walking to the station with four cases, and squeezing onto a train full of trade show visitors. A minivan transfer would cost the same and drop them off at the hall entrance.
Why a Private Transfer Is the Most Convenient Option
On such a short route, the hard part isn't the distance. It's the terminal walk, the taxi queue, and the show-day crowds. A private transfer handles all three.
Professional drivers: Licensed local drivers who know which hall entrance and drop off point to use on show days.
Fixed pricing: the fare is locked in at the time of booking. It won't go up if your flight is delayed or if traffic builds up on the A104.
Comfort: you select the vehicle according to the number of passengers and amount of luggage required (from a small sedan for two to an 8 seater van for a full exhibition team).
24 hour service: the cars run all day, right through the night, including early morning arrivals before the trains start and of course the late flights after the last RER.
Your driver will track your flight, wait for you in the arrivals hall with a name badge, and help you with your bags. Child seats are available upon request at the time of booking.
👉 Book your private transfer from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte
Travel Time by Time of Day
Distance is the same, but road conditions near the airport and the exhibition centre vary throughout the day. Show days have their own peaks.
Morning (6.00–10.00): A1 and A104 are very busy with commuter and airport traffic. On show days, queues form at the Parc des Expositions exit from around 8.30. The road journey will take 20–35 minutes.
Midday (10.00–16.00): the quietest window. Most road trips take 10–15 minutes, and the RER B is less crowded.
Evening (16:00–20:00): people leave the halls at closing time and the A104 will be slowing down with the outbound commuter traffic. Allow 25–35 minutes, particularly if you're heading back to CDG for a flight.
Night (20:00–6:00): the roads are clear and the drive is about 10 minutes. RER B service stops around midnight and restarts early in the morning, and of course evening works will see the service reduced further.
Real world insight: going back to CDG on the last afternoon of the show is often slower than coming in. All those people leaving at once, the taxi ranks at the venue are empty very quickly. Book your return transfer in advance.
Cost Breakdown by Transfer Type
The cheapest ticket isn't necessarily the cheapest trip. Group size, luggage, and timing all affect the actual cost.
Price ranges:
- Bus 350: about €2 per person
- RER B: around €14 per person (Paris Region Airports ticket)
- Taxi: roughly €25–45 on the meter
- Ride apps: roughly €20–50, higher during surges
- Private transfer: around €45–70 for a sedan, €60–90 for a minivan
- Car rental: from €40 per day, plus fuel and show-day parking
Hidden costs:
- Surge pricing on ride apps when a show opens or closes
- Taxi meters running in slow traffic near the exhibition car parks
- Parking charges at the venue for rental cars
- Lost time: a 15-minute terminal walk plus a missed train can delay a booth set-up
Per person, the RER B is hard to beat on price. From three passengers upwards, a fixed-price private car will either match or beat the combined train fares and, of course, includes space for luggage and door-to-door drop-off.
Tips for a Smooth Transfer Experience
A few small decisions make a big difference on this short route, particularly during the busy show weeks.
- Book well in advance during the show season as both cars and the hotels in the vicinity will be sold out.
- Choose the right vehicle (count your display cases and your banner tubes not your suitcases).
- Don't book a flight which is going to arrive at peak times, as the 11.00 arrival will typically be a quicker ride than the 8.30 arrival.
- Check the live traffic on the A104 and the A1 before you leave the exhibition for the airport.
- Have your destination all ready: save the hall number and venue address (ZAC Paris Nord 2, 93420 Villepinte) onto your phone.
- Always request the child seats in advance as they are not guaranteed otherwise.
- Expect the trains to be absolutely packed on opening day mornings (RER B in particular).
- Confirm payment options (most will take cards but ask before you set off).
- Save your driver's contact number (the transfer company's number) just in case your flight is delayed.
- Travel light on the public transport as the ticket gates at both airport stations are quite narrow.
- Plan for rain: the walk from Parc des Expositions station to some of the halls is part exposed and taxi queues build up in the rain.
For hotel transfers after the show, see our guide on transfers from Paris Nord Villepinte to central Paris.
FAQ
Here are the quick answers to the most commonly asked questions from travellers regarding this route.
How do I get from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte?
The fastest public option is the RER B towards Paris (get off at Parc des Expositions, the first stop after the airport). A private transfer takes 10-25 minutes door to door and is by far the easiest if you're travelling with luggage, children or a group. Bus 350 is the most economical option.
How long does it take from CDG Airport to Paris Nord Villepinte?
The RER B ride is about 5-10 minutes, plus up to 20 minutes walking through the terminal. By car, it's 10-15 minutes in light traffic and 20-35 minutes in the morning or on show day.
What is the cheapest way from CDG to Paris Nord Villepinte?
RATP Bus 350 costs about the same as a standard bus ticket. During some major trade shows, free Villepinte Express shuttles also run between the airport and the show. For timetables and pick-up points for your event, please see the practical information page.
Which RER station serves Paris Nord Villepinte?
Get off at Parc des Expositions on the RER B. The station called 'Villepinte' is on a different branch and doesn't serve the exhibition centre. That's a common mistake for first-time visitors.
How much is a taxi from CDG to Paris Nord Villepinte?
Taxis on this route are metered (the fixed CDG-Paris fares don't apply). You can expect to pay around €25-45 depending on traffic and waiting time. A pre-booked private transfer will of course give you a fixed price.
Is there a direct train from CDG to Paris Nord Villepinte?
Yes. RER B trains heading toward Paris run directly from the airport stations to Parc des Expositions (no change required). Check the platform display to confirm that your train actually stops at Parc des Expositions and be aware of any evening/weekend engineering works.
What is the best way to get to Paris Nord Villepinte with luggage?
A private transfer is ideal if you're travelling with a lot of luggage, display materials, or exhibition equipment. You select the vehicle size when you book, and the driver will take you directly to the hall entrance (bypassing the narrow ticket gates and train queues).
Can I book a transfer back from Paris Nord Villepinte to CDG?
Yes. Pre-booking your return is strongly advised on the final day of a show, when taxi ranks at the venue empty quickly. Allow 25–35 minutes for the drive during late-afternoon departures, plus check-in time at your terminal.
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