Hotel Review: Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – Direct Airport Access, Ideal for Early Morning & Late Night Flights and TGV Connections
In December, European streets become increasingly festive with Christmas decorations, creating an uplifting seasonal atmosphere. This time, I planned a weekend trip from London to Paris. As always, I chose to stay within the Hilton portfolio. I usually stay at Hilton Paris Opéra (you can find my latest stay review here), but on this trip, all three hotels I stayed at were different. The first stop was Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
In this article, I will share a detailed review of my stay at Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, accompanied by photos. In particular, the “How to Get There” section carefully explains parts of the airport that can be confusing and easy to get lost in—especially for those unfamiliar with Charles de Gaulle Airport.
I hope this guide will be helpful when choosing an airport hotel in Paris.
You can also find my stay reviews of other Hilton group hotels in France
How to Get to Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport & Location Overview
Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is, as its name suggests, directly adjacent to the airport, making it an extremely convenient location for an overnight stay before an early morning flight or for accommodation after arriving on a late-night flight.
According to the official website, the hotel is located next to Terminal 3 at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), and this is indeed the case. However, the nearest RER station is Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1, which can give the impression that the hotel is also close to Terminal 1. This can be confusing for many travellers, but in reality, Terminal 1 is quite far from the station, and you need to use the CDGVAL shuttle train to get there.
This layout is related to the history of CDG, as the airport has expanded over time with additional terminals being built. For hotel guests, there are three key points worth keeping in mind:
- If you are arriving at CDG by plane: First, check which terminal your flight arrives at. If you arrive at Terminal 3, you can walk directly to the hotel. If you arrive at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2, take the CDGVAL shuttle train to Terminal 3 Roissypole station, and then walk to the hotel.
- If you are coming from central Paris: Take the RER Line B and get off at Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1. From there, it is within walking distance to the hotel. If you use the Roissy Bus, get off at Roissypole, which is just a few minutes’ walk away. However, it was announced in December 2025 that the Roissy Bus service will be discontinued in March 2026.
- If you are arriving at CDG by TGV: The TGV station is located at Terminal 2, so take the CDGVAL shuttle train to Terminal 3 Roissypole station, and then walk to the hotel.
Getting Around Between Terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport
The official airport website provides a clear and easy-to-understand map, so I’ve included a link to it here. From the map, you can see that Terminal 1 is located some distance away from the Charles de Gaulle 1 RER station, while the Charles de Gaulle 1 RER station is directly adjacent to Terminal 3 (CDGVAL Terminal 3). The image is taken from the official Charles de Gaulle Airport website. Clicking on the image will take you to the official site.
Direct Access to the French High-Speed TGV Station
In addition, the airport is home to the Roissy–Charles de Gaulle TGV station, making this location convenient if you plan to travel to other parts of France by TGV. The TGV station is located at Terminal 2. The image is taken from the official Charles de Gaulle Airport website. Clicking on the image will take you to the official site. For information about the air + train service offered by Air France, please also refer to the Useful Information section below.
© Paris Aéroport
| Abbreviations Explained What is CDG? CDG is the airport code for Charles de Gaulle Airport, derived from the initials of Charles de Gaulle. What is RER? RER stands for Réseau express régional, the regional express rail network that connects Paris with its surrounding suburbs. Line B serves Charles de Gaulle Airport, running from its terminus through Terminal 2 and then Terminal 1 before heading into central Paris. What is TGV? TGV is short for Train à Grande Vitesse, which means “high-speed train” in English (Train = train, à Grande = very large, Vitesse = speed). It is operated by the French national railway company, SNCF. What is CDGVAL? CDGVAL is a free, automated shuttle train that operates between terminals at Charles de Gaulle Airport. It runs without a driver. |
Executive Lounge Overview: Spacious Seating with Drinks and Light Bites Available
That morning, I arrived in Paris from London by Eurostar, spent half a day sightseeing in the city, and then headed to Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for my stay. Just before noon, I picked up my luggage at Gare du Nord and boarded the RER Line B. As it was Friday evening, Gare du Nord was crowded, but as the train moved toward the suburbs, the number of passengers gradually decreased, and I was able to find a seat. There are designated spaces near the doors for large luggage, but leaving your bags unattended still feels a bit uneasy. Once the Roissy Bus is discontinued, I wonder if everyone will end up switching to the RER.
My departure from Paris ended up being later than planned, and the check-in line was moving slowly, which made me feel a bit rushed. After leaving my luggage in the room, I headed straight to the Executive Lounge.
The drink selection included red and white wine, as well as draft beer from a self-service tap. There was also a good variety of spirits available. As for snacks, there were soup, sandwiches, and other light bites, with both the selection and quantity being more than sufficient. If you’re still hungry, the hotel restaurant is an option, but for me, the lounge offerings were more than enough that day.
Guest Room Review: Upgraded to an Executive Room
Here is an introduction to the guest room at Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Thanks to an upgrade, I was assigned a corner room (2 Queen Beds Executive Room), which was much more spacious than the Guest Room with 2 Single Beds that I had originally booked.
Many hotels in central Paris occupy historic buildings, and rooms—especially in the city center—tend to be on the smaller side. In contrast, hotels in the suburbs offer much more generous space, which was certainly the case here.
The bathroom featured not only a separate shower but also a bathtub, which was especially welcome after spending a long day walking around in the winter cold. The bathroom was clean and well maintained, and the interior appeared to have been recently renovated. The bedroom, in particular, felt fresh and new.
Although the hotel is located right next to the airport and aircraft parked at Terminal 3 are visible from the windows, the soundproofing is excellent. Once inside the hotel, I didn’t notice any aircraft noise at all.
Breakfast Review: A Wide Variety Buffet with Classic French Selections
Breakfast at Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. On this day, we were heading to Disneyland Paris and were short on time, so we couldn’t linger, but the variety and overall selection were very impressive.
Hotel breakfasts in the UK tend to be fairly similar from place to place. Depending on the hotel, you might be able to order freshly prepared egg dishes, or find local specialties on the buffet—such as haggis in Scotland. At Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, however, the breakfast spread included not only English-style and continental options, but also dishes like ratatouille. There was also an excellent selection of cheeses, and honestly, one night wasn’t nearly enough to try everything on offer.
Useful Information: Easy Access to the French TGV Network for Travel Across France
Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport may not be the most popular choice for travelers whose main focus is sightseeing in central Paris. However, for those planning to travel beyond Paris using the airport’s TGV high-speed rail station, it is a very convenient hotel option.
From late November onward, travelers hoping to visit the famous Christmas markets of the Alsace region—such as the highly popular Colmar Christmas Market—will find this location especially practical. Strasbourg, the central city of Alsace, is easily accessible by TGV, making onward travel smooth and efficient. If you are flying with Air France, you can also book combined air + TGV tickets, so it’s well worth considering this option.
For more details, please visit the official website.
Conclusion: Who Should Stay at Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport?
Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is located a bit away from central Paris, so it may not be ideal as a base for city sightseeing. However, for travellers who prioritise proximity to the airport and efficient transportation, it is an extremely practical and user-friendly hotel. In particular, it is well suited for the following types of travellers.
First, travellers taking early morning or late-night flights.The hotel is directly adjacent to Terminal 3 at Charles de Gaulle Airport, and the ability to reach it easily on foot or via the CDGVAL shuttle significantly reduces the stress of long journeys. It is a reliable choice for both pre- and post-flight stays, especially when flying long-haul.
Next, travellers planning to explore France by TGV.
The TGV station at Terminal 2 is easily accessible via CDGVAL, with direct connections to destinations such as Strasbourg and Disneyland Paris. For those who prefer to plan their itinerary starting from the airport—without detouring into central Paris—this location is close to ideal.
Finally, the hotel is also a great option for Hilton Honors elite members.
The Executive Lounge is spacious and well stocked, making it a satisfying place to enjoy a light meal or a drink in the evening on travel days. Combined with the likelihood of room upgrades, this is a hotel where elite status benefits are particularly easy to appreciate.
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