The city of Caen lies some 230 km west of Paris which is served daily by most major airlines (Charles de Gaulle - CDG - and Orly - ORY - airports). Caen is easily reached from Paris by train (from "Gare Saint-Lazare" Paris train station – trains every 1 to 2 hours), bus (3 to 4 daily direct from CDG airport to Caen) and car (~3 hour drive).
Charles de Gaulle airport is not always straightforward to navigate for first time travellers to Paris. If in doubt do not hesitate to ask for help from any of the information desks which are located at the arrivals areas at each of the terminals.
As you may well pass through Roissypole if arriving at Charles de Gaulle airport, either to take the RER train into Paris or catch a bus to Caen, you may find the layout shown below useful:
TRAIN:
The train times may be checked via the SNCF website where you may also buy your tickets in advance if you wish:
https://www.sncf-connect.com/app/en-en/home/search
The last train to Caen on Sunday 2 March leaves Paris St Lazare station at 20h59 and arrives in Caen at 22h56. The last train to Paris St Lazare from Caen on Friday 7 March leaves at 20h32 and arrives at 22h51. The first train on Saturday 8 March to Paris St Lazare leaves at 06h54 and arrives at 09h03.
To reach “Paris Saintt-Lazare” station from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport there are a number of possibilities using public transport:
- RER train to Paris - from your arrival terminal at CDG, follow the signs "Paris by Train" (RER B). In the case of arrival at Terminal 1, you need to take the free automated shuttle service (CDGVAL) to the stop Roissypole/Terminal 3 (T3). At the Roissypole or CDG2 train stations you may buy your ticket for Paris (either from the ticket counter or one of the vending machines - €11.45). All trains running in the direction of Paris stop at all the RER B stations within central Paris. To reach Gare Saint Lazare you should get off at “Gare du Nord” and transfer to the RER E line and take a train in the direction "Haussman Saint Lazare" (which is the terminus). On the RER E line, please note for your return journey that Gare du Nord is indicated as the "Magenta" station and is the first stop. When you get off at Haussman Saint Lazare follow the signs for Gare Saint Lazare main line trains. The entire journey should take around 50 minutes. A map of the RER system may be found at:
https://parismap360.com/paris-train-map#.WqvyZOjOVaQ
- Bus to Paris: Follow the signs at your arrival terminal to the Roissybus stop. You may purchase your ticket from the vending machine or the bus driver (€16.20). The bus is direct to Paris and stops (rue Scribe) next to the Opera Garnier and takes around 60 minutes, with the exact travel time depending on the time of day and traffic. From there it is a short 5-10 minute walk to Gare Saint Lazare as indicated in the map you may download:
RoissyBus_rue_Scribe_Gare_St_Lazare_4.pdf
- Taxis to Paris - Taxis are also available at both airports with the fare being ~€55 from CDG and ~€45 from ORY (a surcharge may apply at night and on Sundays). If you do decide to take a taxi, please be sure to take it from the official taxi stands (as indicated by the signs at your arrival terminal). Do not respond to any of the offers of a "taxi" proposed to you as you exit the arrivals hall.
- For those arriving at Orly (ORY) airport you should take the Orlyval light rail line which connects to the RER B at the Antony station. From there you take an RER train into Paris and change at Gare du Nord where you transfer to the RER E line, as indicated above for travel from CDG. Tickets may once again be purchased from the vending machines or ticket counter (€15.40). The journey time will be around 45 minutes.
At Gare Saint Lazare you may purchase your ticket for Caen from the ticket office or, with a credit card, using one of the SNCF vending machines - a second class ticket costs around €45 one way. As noted above tickets may be purchased in advance via the SNCF website. Please be aware that if you miss your train you will need to change your ticket and may have to pay a penalty depending on the type of ticket you purchased. Note that trains with a final destination of Cherbourg stop in Caen. Trains with final destinations of Rouen or Le Havre do not go via Caen.
BUS:
Direct bus services (typically 3 to 4 per day) are available from CDG airport to Caen. The travel time is, around 4 hours. The buses leave from the bus station at Roissypole/T3 (see plan above) which is served by the CDGVAL automated shuttle that runs between Terminals 1 and 2.
You may check the bus times using the following website:
Please be sure to select as your filter options "Paris airport Charles de Gaulle" and not Paris as your departure point and select the "direct trip" option. If you wish to purchase your ticket in advance follow the links given in the list.
Tickets may also be purchased on the day from the driver if seats are available.
