We landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport and traveled to Paris from there.

This is our experience traveling from CDG to Montmartre on the RER B train through Gare du Nord.

Lucie and I chose Montmartre as our base for our first trip together to Paris. We flew from Prague with Air France and landed at Charles de Gaulle, so we had to figure out how to get between there and where we were staying.

Because we had an early morning flight, we reached out to our hotel to see if early check-in might be possible. It was a weekend, so we had a feeling the chances weren't great, which they more or less confirmed by saying they'd see how things went that morning. With that in mind, we figured the room probably wouldn't be ready yet, and we'd have to wait until regular check-in hours. So we weren't in much of a rush, but since we'd been on the road since 1 AM, we still wanted the journey to be at least somewhat comfortable.

The flight from Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) took under two hours.

I checked out all the public transport options from Charles de Gaulle to Montmartre and, after a quick rundown of the pros and cons, decided that the RER B train made the most sense for us. The taxi was way too expensive for what we needed, the RoissyBus cost about the same as the train but was slower, and the cheap 350 bus didn't really check the 'comfortable' box since it can get super crowded.

While we were headed to Montmartre, this guide pretty much works for anyone going from CDG to Paris city center, too. I'll cover that option briefly at the end, so stick around! Now let's get into how our journey went and whether it brought any hiccups on the way to enchanting Montmartre or if everything went smoothly.

Flying into CDG

With that out of the way, all we had to do was catch our flight from Prague to Paris. Luckily, everything went well. It was a quick flight, and with no delays, we landed in Paris right around 8 AM. The sky was overcast, and because of the direction we flew in, we didn't get much of a view of the city. So, the coolest thing we saw was the Concorde, still on display at CDG.

The Concorde parked beside the runway was pretty cool to spot at CDG.

We landed at Charles de Gaulle in the morning, arriving at Terminal 2, and the airport was already buzzing. Since we only brought carry-ons, we skipped baggage claim and just followed the Sortie and Ground Transportation signs.

The Ground Transportation sign was easy to find.

Despite being one of Europe's largest airports, CDG was really easy to navigate, so following the signage was all it took. To be fair, we'd been through CDG a few times already, but only for layovers, so this was our first time actually navigating it as our arrival airport. If you land at Terminal 1 instead, the RER B trains also stop there, so your experience should be nearly identical.

Purchasing Train Tickets from CDG to Paris

Eventually, we made it to the hall with the Billetterie. There were at least a dozen ticket machines on both sides, so we figured this would be the easiest way to get our RER B tickets, and we soon joined our first line in Paris (there was no need to go to the desk). This one actually moved pretty quickly, so after about five minutes, it was our turn.

We also followed just this 'billetterie' wayfinding line to find the ticket machines.

A few trained airport staff were helping people who were struggling with the machines. When it was our turn, one of them waved us over to the next available ticket machine, and by the time we got there, she had already asked where we were headed. We just said Gare du Nord, and she handled the whole process for us.

I thought about downloading the Bonjour RATP app, which covers all of Paris's public transport, but since we weren't in a rush, I figured I didn't need another app just to buy a train ticket. Had we bought our RER B ticket to get from CDG to the city center, we could have saved a bit of time, along with the €2 surcharge for the card, though we only learned that later. The app works just like the physical card, so you need to keep it with you and tap your phone when passing through the turnstiles.

RER B Tickets - NAVIGO Card

Before we knew it, she had already handled everything on the touch screen, and my only task was to tap the contactless terminal with my watch when she finished. It was quick and efficient, but we didn't get much of a chance to see exactly how she did it since it was in French and happened too fast.

The paper Navigo Easy card looked pretty identical to the plastic ones.

We got two physical cards from the machine, and the first thing we noticed was that they were paper. They felt pretty flimsy, and my initial thought was that they wouldn't last very long. The last time we ran into something like this was on our ski trip to Zermatt when we got a similar card for a ski pass, and we definitely remember how impractical they were. Either way, I tucked both into my travel wallet to keep it from getting damaged over the next few days.

Using RATP Ticket Machine

Anyway, we had to buy our train tickets on the way back to the airport since there were no attendants at Gare du Nord. The process was straightforward, so let's get right into it.

The first step was switching to English, which was easily the most crucial part. Lucie tends to skip it, which usually leaves us lost in the instructions. But this time, she got it right, making the menu super easy to navigate.

We started by switching to English, but there was also the option to choose German, Spanish, or Italian.

The next screen gave us the option to Buy a Navigo Pass with Ticket(s), which is meant for travelers without a Navigo Pass. It costs €13 for the train fare plus an extra €2 for the card. Since we already had one, we tried the second option: Top up Navigo Pass. Unfortunately, it didn't go through, and we still don't know what went wrong.

If you don’t have a card yet, select the Buy a Navigo Pass with Ticket(s) option.

There were two different Navigo machines side by side, and we gave both a try but ended up with the same result. I had a hunch it might be because one card still had some leftover credit, about €2.50 (one fare). But the other was completely empty, yet we faced the same problem. The machine just said this card couldn't be loaded with this type of fare, which was confusing since we had used it to get from the airport.

I still had no clue what went wrong, especially since the paper card had been working fine until now. We had topped it up multiple times and used it without any issues, whether for trips to Versailles, La Défense, or just getting around Paris by the metro. So it was odd that we suddenly couldn't add this fare to it.

We placed the card on the right and waited for the confirmation that it had been read properly.

After a few failed attempts, we finally gave up and just went with the first option and bought the Navigo Pass with Ticket(s), which meant paying the €2 fee again. At least this one worked.

On the next screen, we selected One Way from/to Airports, which then showed a full order summary: two airport tickets at €13 each and two Easy Navigo Passes at €2 each, totaling €30 for both of us. We tapped the Pay €30 option, which led to the next screen. From there, we just touched the contactless terminal on the right and picked up our cards from the drop tray below.

Here, we selected the One Way from/to Airports option.

Other than the fact that the paper cards didn't work for the trip back, buying the physical tickets was fast and hassle-free. Interestingly, this time, we got plastic cards that felt more durable, but at that point, it didn't really matter.

The final step was just to pick the Navigo cards.

Reaching the RER B Platform

After grabbing our tickets, we followed the big RER B sign and soon arrived at the turnstiles, where we tapped our Navigo cards. Once past them, we headed straight to the train platform. Finding the right train was simple since there was only one platform with two tracks. And because we landed at Terminal 2, the starting point for the RER B train, all the trains were headed toward the Paris City Center.

Terminal 2 is the last stop on the RER B line, and all trains depart from here to head back into Paris.

The train was already waiting, so we double-checked the departure screens and stepped on board. From the display, we saw that this train had 10 stops before reaching Gare du Nord, while the next one was more direct, stopping only at Terminal 1 and Aulnay-sous-Bois, a key transit hub. Since our train would take a little longer but the next one wouldn't arrive for another 7 minutes, it really didn't matter whether we waited or went with the one that was already there.

Once we were on board, the train set off toward the Paris City Center. After stopping at Terminal 1 and the next two stations, we quickly picked up on two things. First, the morning train with more stops also meant it got crowded fast. It was one of the longer trains, but by the fifth station, we were relieved to be sitting instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the morning crowd.

The empty train got crowded pretty quickly after we boarded.

The second was an accordion-playing busker who started performing as soon as we left the airport, right next to me, of course. While his musical talent was debatable, his enthusiasm was definitely not. And what he lacked in skill, he sure made up for it with how loud he played. I hadn't gotten much sleep that morning, just a short nap on the plane, so I definitely didn't appreciate the performance the way I might have otherwise.

At least it brought back memories of our time in Quito a few years ago, where similar performances were practically a given on every bus. After a few songs and a round of asking for money, he moved on to another car, letting us finally focus on the view outside.

The RER B train from CDG to Gare du Nord usually takes around 35 minutes, depending on travel time and the number of stops. For us, the trip took 39 minutes on the way there and 36 minutes on the way back.

Gare du Nord is a big station, but the signs made it easy to navigate.

Getting from Gare du Nord to Montmartre

After reaching Gare du Nord, we stepped off the train and navigated the huge, crowded station. It really felt like half of Paris was there with us. Since we were heading to Montmartre, we didn't need to exit through the main entrance, so we opted for the side exit to save time. We followed the signs for Lariboisière Hospital/Rue de Maubeuge. Eventually, we passed through the turnstiles, where we had to tap our Navigo cards once more.

The side entrance at Gare du Nord offers the best access to Montmartre.

Once outside, we set off for Montmartre, about 1.2 kilometers northwest of the station (yep, the station is outside this bohemian neighborhood). That's the distance to Sacré-Cœur, but in our case, we had to walk another 500 meters past the iconic church since our hotel was a bit farther.

Instead of taking transport, we chose to walk from Gare du Nord to Montmartre. After hours of sitting in a car, plane, and train, we had already been on our feet for about eight hours and were definitely feeling it.

Since Montmartre sits on a hill, the whole route was uphill, though the incline wasn't too steep. We took a few breaks along the way, particularly at Square Louise Michel, where we got our first great view of Sacré-Cœur.

The toughest part of walking from the train station was that by the time we reached Montmartre, the sidewalk had gotten narrower while the crowd had grown larger. Dragging a suitcase through all those people took some patience, especially when we ran into massive tour groups.

We even managed a quick look at Sacré-Cœur during our walk from the train station.

We got to our hotel in under 30 minutes from Gare du Nord, so I'd say the whole trip from CDG to Montmartre took around 65 to 70 minutes, including time spent leaving the busy train station and snapping some pictures on the way. On the return trip, we could probably cut that down by five to ten minutes, so let's call it about an hour.

Hotels in Montmartre and CDG

If you're wondering where we stayed in Montmartre, it was the lovely Hotel Litteraire Marcel Ayme, BW Premier Collection, a charming spot that had everything we needed for our eight-day stay in Paris.

Our room was small but cozy and comfortable.

If you're looking for a hotel at CDG, there are plenty of solid options. ibis Paris CDG Airport seemed perfect for budget travelers, while Sheraton Paris CDG Hotel and Novotel Paris CDG Airport offered more comfort, but at a higher cost.

I saw the Sheraton Hotel from the plane, so its location is pretty much perfect.

Taking the Metro from Gare du Nord to Montmartre

Since the RER B ticket includes transfers, we thought about taking the metro but ultimately decided against it. Aside from just wanting to walk, it wouldn't have made much of a difference for us anyway.

Our hotel was exactly 1.7 kilometers from Gare du Nord. The station is on Metro 4, but that line only goes to Château Rouge, at the eastern edge of Montmartre. From there, we'd still have to walk another 1.4 kilometers, so I ruled it out right away.

We took Metro 2 to reach Montmartre a few times (it's useful for not only for getting to or from the airport).

Another option was walking from Gare du Nord to La Chapelle (Metro Line 2). However, that station isn't directly at the train station, but it's 400 meters north. From there, we could take the metro to Anvers, Pigalle or Blanche (that's where we'd get off), then walk another 400 meters to our hotel. So, it was either walking the full 1.7 kilometers or dealing with the metro and still having to walk 800 meters. Since we needed to stretch our legs, adding those extra 900 meters sounded just fine.

Anvers is one of the most popular metro stops for getting to Montmartre.

We found that Abbesses is also a popular station for reaching Montmartre, but since it's on Metro Line 12, transferring at Pigalle would've been necessary, which didn't make much sense for us. Still, we kept it in mind in case we needed to head into the city center, as it stops at Concorde, making it easy to reach must-see attractions like the Louvre, Hotel des Invalides, and Champs-Élysées.

Travel Insurance

We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.

Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.

SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.

Travel smarter and safer!

Taking a Taxi from CDG or Gare du Nord to Montmartre

Leaving the station through a side entrance, we ended up right next to a long line. As we quickly realized, it was for taxis. Of course, we could have taken one to our hotel in Montmartre from Gare du Nord, but if we were going to grab a taxi, it probably would've made more sense to take one straight from CDG.

As for fares, the price from Gare du Nord to Montmartre ranges between €10-€15, depending on the hotel's location. If you're heading directly from CDG to Montmartre by official taxi, the flat rate is €56, which is the same fare for the whole rive droite (right bank), while it's €65 for rive gauche (left bank).

The taxi stand at Gare du Nord was busy.

Private Shuttle from CDG to Paris

Alternatively, you could take a private shuttle to/from CDG to Paris. It's a pricier option, but it's definitely the most comfortable way to reach any part of the city, whether you want to go to Montmartre or the Latin Quarter.

You can compare rental car prices in Paris here.

Getting from CDG to Paris City Center

At the start of this post, I mentioned I'd cover how to get from CDG to the Paris City Center. So if that's your plan, just stay on the train and pass Gare du Nord, heading instead to Châtelet les Halles or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame stations.

The train station at Châtelet Les Halles is located under a large shopping mall.

Both are near the Louvre and Notre Dame and from either, you can hop onto another train or metro to reach your next stop. For example, at Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, you can transfer to the RER C train, which runs along the Seine and gives you access to the Eiffel Tower area and more.

Traveling Back to CDG

So after an amazing eight days in Paris, it was time to wave the city goodbye, especially Montmartre, where we stayed the whole time. Getting back to CDG was very easy (apart from the small hiccup with the Navigo card we already talked about).

On our return journey to CDG, the train was way less crowded.

Anyway, even on our way back to the airport, we first walked to Gare du Nord, from where we hopped once again on the RER B train. The only thing we had to be careful about was that the RER B has two completely different terminal stops. One is Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the other is Mitry-Claye (the route splits at Aulnay-sous-Bois). Since Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 and 2 was clearly marked on the screens at the platform as well as on the train itself, it wasn’t that difficult.

Inside the train, there were signs with lights showing all the stops the train would make.

That's it! Hopefully, your trip from CDG to Montmartre is just as hassle-free as ours. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!

Travel Resources

Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.

Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.

We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.

Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.

Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.

Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.

Pin It!

Getting from CDG to and from Montmartre (Step-by-Step Guide)