Paris Charles de Gaulle is one of the largest airports in Europe. It has three terminals, and Terminal 2 alone is split into seven halls, from 2A to 2G, stretched along more than a kilometre. For a first-time visitor, the hardest part of arriving in Paris isn't the drive into the city — it's finding the right exit and the right person in the arrivals hall. This terminal pickup guide explains where you will come out at each CDG terminal, where your chauffeur meets you, and how long it usually takes from the aircraft door to the car.
Before you land: three things to share with your chauffeur
A smooth meeting starts with the booking. Make sure your chauffeur has:
- Your flight number, not just the arrival time. It tells the driver which terminal and hall you'll use and lets them track delays in real time.
- A phone number with WhatsApp that will work in France, so the driver can message you when you land.
- The number of passengers and bags, so the right vehicle is waiting — an E-Class for two, a V-Class for up to seven.
With these, the chauffeur arrives at the right hall at the right time, even if your flight changes gate or lands early.
Terminal 1: one round building, one exit
Terminal 1 is the famous circular concrete building, used by many Star Alliance and non-European airlines. Flights arrive at satellites around the main building, and passengers travel through tube-like walkways to passport control and baggage claim. Everyone then exits onto the same circular arrivals level.
Because all arrivals share one level, Terminal 1 is the easiest place to meet. Your chauffeur waits at the exit of your arrival door with a name sign. If you can't see them immediately, stay inside the arrivals area and send a message — the walkway is circular and easy to misjudge.
Terminal 2: seven halls, seven exits
Terminal 2 is the Air France and SkyTeam hub, and most long-haul passengers from the US, Asia and the Middle East land here. Its halls work in pairs and groups:
- 2A and 2C: often used for long-haul and non-Schengen flights.
- 2B and 2D: frequently used for European flights.
- 2E and 2F: large halls next to the TGV and RER train station in the middle of the terminal. Hall 2E handles many long-haul arrivals.
- 2G: a separate building for regional flights, linked to 2F by a shuttle bus.
Each hall has its own arrivals exit. Your driver doesn't wait in a central lobby; they wait at the exit of your specific hall. That's why the flight number matters: the hall can change on the day, and a good chauffeur checks it before you land.
At busy times, Terminal 2E and 2F arrivals can be crowded. Look for a driver holding a sign with your name near the barrier where passengers come out. If you have a large group, step to the side and wait together while the driver comes to you.
Terminal 3: compact and simple
Terminal 3 is a small hall used for charter and some low-cost flights, next to the Roissypole business area. It's a short walk or a quick ride on CDGVAL, the free automatic train that connects Terminals 1, 3 and 2. The arrivals area is compact, so meetings are quick. Chauffeurs wait at the exit with a name sign as usual.
How long from landing to the car?
The time depends on your passport, your luggage and the time of day:
- EU or Schengen passport, cabin bag only: 20 to 30 minutes.
- EU passport with checked luggage: 30 to 50 minutes.
- Non-EU passport with checked luggage: 45 to 75 minutes at peak times, sometimes more on busy mornings.
Non-EU visitors should also expect extra time on their first entry as the EU Entry/Exit System registers fingerprints and a photo at the border. A flight-tracking chauffeur simply waits; you don't pay for the queue.
What happens after you meet
Once you meet your driver, they take the luggage trolley and walk you to the car. Pre-booked chauffeurs park in the terminal car parks or authorised pickup areas a few minutes' walk from the exit. The walk is usually 3 to 8 minutes depending on the hall. Then it's 35 to 60 minutes to central Paris, or about 40 minutes to Disneyland Paris.
If you can't find your chauffeur
- Stay in the arrivals area of your hall — don't go outside or to another terminal.
- Check your phone for a message or photo of the meeting point.
- Call or WhatsApp the number in your booking confirmation.
- Ignore anyone who approaches offering a ride. Official taxis wait at the rank, and your driver will know your name.
Meet and greet vs kerbside pickup
Some services only offer kerbside pickup: you walk outside and call the driver. A full meet and greet means the chauffeur comes into the terminal and waits at your exit. For families, older travellers, first visits to Paris and late-night arrivals, the meet and greet is worth it. It's included as standard with Luxberri airport transfers. Before booking, check the Luxberri deals page for current fixed prices on CDG routes.
Departing from CDG: drop-off by terminal
The same terminal logic applies when you leave Paris. Tell your chauffeur your airline and flight number, and they'll drop you at the departures level of the right terminal and hall — for example 2E for many long-haul Air France flights, or Terminal 1 for many other international carriers. This matters most in Terminal 2, where walking between halls with luggage can take 15 minutes or more. Plan to arrive at CDG at least three hours before a long-haul departure and two hours before a European flight. From central Paris, allow 45 to 75 minutes for the drive depending on the time of day, and more on Friday afternoons and before public holidays. Your driver will suggest a pickup time that builds in a sensible margin.
More questions
Can the driver meet me at the aircraft gate?
No — chauffeurs meet you after customs. Gate assistance is a separate airport service.
Is there Wi-Fi at CDG to message my driver?
Yes, free Wi-Fi is available in the terminals.
