The history of the project
The CDG Express will enter service on 28 March 2027, realising a simple ambition that first took shape over 30 years ago: to provide a direct link between the heart of Paris and its international airport.
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Together with our partners in the tourism and airport sectors, we will deliver on our promise of efficient, sustainable and carbon-free transport, helping to enhance the capital’s reputation.
Soledad Valencia-Risseto
Chair of Hello Paris
It all begins in Paris
With over 72 million passengers expected in 2025, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport is one of the world’s largest international hubs. However, unlike London, Oslo, Stockholm or Vienna, Paris did not have a dedicated express rail link between its airport and the city centre.
To address this shortcoming, the first feasibility studies were launched as early as 1998. Gare de l’Est quickly emerged as the obvious terminus, having the necessary capacity to accommodate this additional traffic — whereas the already saturated Gare du Nord could not.
In 2018, the Keolis and RATP Dev consortium launched Hello Paris, combining their expertise in rail operations, managing dense networks and service quality. In 2019, the project took shape with the construction of 32 kilometres of railway track between Paris-Est and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
The key players in the project
Gestionnaire d'Infrastructure (GI CDG Express)
Design and construction of the infrastructure
The project in pictures
The route of the CDG Express
After several years of studies and consultations, a route has been selected: 32 kilometres in total, including 8 kilometres of new track from Gare de l'Est.
This route uses three-quarters of the existing rail network, thereby avoiding the need to build new tunnels. Although longer than initially planned, it offers a journey time of 20 minutes between Paris and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport — a time made possible by the design of a fully dedicated service with no intermediate stops.
Work on the CDG Express was carried out jointly by SNCF Réseau and Groupe ADP, under a public works concession. Launched in 2019, the works enabled the construction of the infrastructure necessary for the service’s operation, whilst modernising a large part of the existing rail network on the northern route out of Paris.
All the works carried out across the eight zones traversed by the route were made possible thanks to the CDG Express Infrastructure Manager, the body that oversaw the design, construction and maintenance of the rail infrastructure. Owned in equal parts by Groupe ADP, SNCF Réseau and Banque des Territoires, it financed the entire infrastructure without public subsidies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I join the CDG Express team?
Check out our job vacancies on the "Join us" page.
Hello Paris, the company operating the CDG Express, is recruiting ahead of the service’s launch, scheduled for March 2027. Available job vacancies (driving, maintenance, customer service, supervision) can be found on the "Join us" page or by contacting the HR department directly using the contact details provided on the "Contact us" page.
How many stops does the train make?
None.
The CDG Express runs directly from Gare de l'Est to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, with no stops along the way.
What do pre-employment tests involve?
The purpose of the pre-tests is to assess candidates’ abilities and aptitudes for working in a role related to railway safety or operations. They apply exclusively to candidates applying for the train driving training course.
These may include logic and attention tests, as well as practical scenarios related to the expected role. These tests help to assess motivation, responsiveness and the ability to adhere to the sector’s strict procedures, as well as to evaluate candidates’ learning ability. They are administered online and take approximately two hours.
