The opening of the CDG Express is approaching, scheduled for 28 March 2027. For the first time, sales representatives were present at the Rendez-vous en France trade fair in Nice this week to present the future transport service between Gare de l'Est and Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport to tourism professionals.
Operator Hello Paris Services (HPS), a subsidiary of Keolis and RATP Dev, has entered the preparatory phase, which includes recruiting drivers and supervisors. The first trains, covered in white to hide their future livery, have also begun their test runs.
A total of thirteen Alstom-designed trains have been ordered from rail manufacturer CAF in Reichshoffen, Alsace. Comprising 4 or 6 cars, these trains, which will be unveiled at the end of May or beginning of June, will have a maximum capacity of 400 passengers. Work is still under way on the line, however, and the first trains will not be running in real conditions until early 2027.
CDG Express every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight
HPS plans to operate a departure every 15 minutes from 5 am to midnight, every day of the year, on this 38-kilometre line which required significant development work. The direct journey will take 20 minutes, compared to 34 minutes for the best time on the RER B from Gare du Nord. The trains will have dedicated platforms within the SNCF station at Roissy-CDG's Terminal 2, as well as at Gare de l'Est, on platforms 2, 3 and 4, where a reserve train will be positioned in case of technical problems with a departure. This track location within the Parisian station will allow passengers quick access to taxis and VTCs, as well as RER and Metro lines.
Modern, comfortable trains with a wide range of services
On board the CDG Express, passengers will travel in air-conditioned trains equipped with comfortable seats, real luggage areas, a toilet and, for families, a baby-changing table. Information screens on the progress of the journey and on flights departing from Roissy will be installed in the trains, in addition to multilingual announcements. If this is not enough, a bilingual French-English "train manager" will be on board each train to provide passengers with information and assistance.
Fare structure expected for the summer
Although fares will not be revealed until the summer, some publications are already reporting a full fare of €24 per journey. However, preferential fares will be available for passengers buying a return ticket, for children and for holders of a Navigo pass. A season ticket will also be available for employees working at Roissy airport. Ticket sales will start this autumn, particularly to international customers, who are expected to account for 60% of passengers on the line. Tickets will be purchased online, by means of a QR code, but also via automatic terminals and ticket offices installed in Paris-Est and terminal 2 of the airport.
In the tourism segment, French and foreign tour operators will be able to include this rail transfer in their packages, hence the presence of the CDG Express stand at the Rendez-vous en France trade fair, which will be attended by 800 international influencers (TOs, agencies, DMCs, etc.) from 52 countries.
