CDGVAL: what you need to know

Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport was created in 1974 and covers a fairly vast area. It quickly became a hub of global importance and had to adapt to ever-increasing traffic with the construction of several terminals. This considerably increased distances for travellers. This is why The CDGVAL was created to link these terminals. This automatic metro line in operation since 2007 makes life a lot easier for travellers every day. Class'Park Roissy tells you more about how the CDGVAL works at the airport.

The CDGVAL, a revolutionary system at the heart of the airport

Roissy CDG airport has plenty of ideas to help travellers spend a pleasant time in their own space. And what's more, discover activities and leisure at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport and make the most of it while you wait for your flight. The CDGVAL is a transport service specially designed to handle travel between terminals at Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport. This highly practical service is used by over 10 million passengers every year. It is an ideal option for anyone looking for a transport solution at Roissy, especially in an emergency.

The history of CDGVAL

The CDGVAL project was launched in 2000 following the discontinuation of the SK 6000 project the previous year. The aim was to replace the shuttle buses that had been used until then. Work officially began in 2003 with an investment of 155 million euros generated by Paris airport.

Description of the CDGVAL

CDGVAL is a transport concept based on the VAL system. It comprises two lines operated by VAL 208 NG trains. The various improvements were the work of architect Susan Dunne, whose aim was to give the line a soothing atmosphere while respecting the architectural style of the airport. The result is a line that runs half the time in the open air between azaleas, magnolias and willows.

Built from concrete and glass, the terminal 1 station offers a view of the airport terminal thanks to its roof oculus. The terminal 2 station has similarities with the RER-TGV station. It has a wooden ceiling, zinc roof and metal framework.

How the CDGVAL works: a practical system

As far as travel is concerned, the CDGVAL metro is designed to make life easier for travellers and save them time. Here's the essential information you need to know about this highly practical system.

Where can I take the CDGVAL? What does it serve?

The CDGVAL's stops at all the airport's terminals will make it much easier to get around Roissy Charles de Gaulle, including 5 stations :

• terminal 1,
• terminal 2, located at the TGV station,
• terminal 3 at the Roissypôle,
• PR and PX car parks.

It also serves the SNCF RER B stations linking the airport to the city of Paris. This is a very practical service, especially for travellers who have a car park a long way from their departure or arrival terminal. A real revolution, This automatic metro line covers 3.5 km in just 8 minutes. It is therefore three times faster than the bus as well as being accessible to all without any payment. There is a train every 4 minutes. About The CDGVAL is available 7 days a week from 4 a.m. to 1 a.m. Shuttle buses provide connections outside these times.

CDGVAL operations

The CDGVAL has 2 lines. In service since April 2007, Line 1 operates 24 hours a day, every day of the week. A train is available exactly every 3 minutes and 43 seconds at peak times for an 8-minute journey, which is much less than the previous system. To be more precise, this corresponds to approximately 25 km/h for commercial speed and 70 km/h for peak train speed. As with the Paris metro, traffic flows on the right-hand side.

Named LISA (Terminal Satellite Link), the second line connects the S3 satellite (Parisian gallery) and the S4 satellite at terminal 2E via 3 stations in reserved areas. It operates every day from 4.30am to 12.30am. While the extension to the S4 satellite only became operational in June 2012, the first section of the S3 satellite has been in service since 27 June 2007.

To go from satellite 4 to terminal 2E, the CDGVAL takes just 3 minutes to cover the distance of 1.1 km.. This line is capable of carrying 10,000 passengers every hour with a frequency of one train every two minutes. In fact, a train is available every 2 minutes and 35 seconds at peak times and 5 minutes during off-peak times.

Free, fast, reliable and punctual, the CDGVAL has it all. Serving all the airport's strategic terminals, it is very useful for all travellers, whatever their departure or arrival terminal.