CDGVAL: The automatic transport system at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport

The CDGVAL represents a major innovation in French airport transport, offering a modern and efficient solution for travel within Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. This automatic metro, which entered service in 2007, is an essential link in the transport chain for the millions of passengers who pass through France's leading airport hub every year.

A modern, high-performance transport infrastructure

The CDGVAL embodies France's technological excellence in automatic transport, enabling fluid and rapid movement between the different areas of the airport.

A fully automated system

The CDGVAL operates without a driver thanks to a state-of-the-art automation system. The trains, monitored from a centralised control centre, run on a dedicated, secure track. This automation ensures a continuous service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on public holidays. Frequencies are adapted to passenger needs: a train every 4 minutes during peak full stops (from 6.30am to 9am and from 4.30pm to 7pm), every 5 to 7 minutes during the day (from 9am to 4.30pm and from 7pm to 10pm), and every 15 to 20 minutes at night (from 10pm to 6.30am). This intelligent frequency management optimises the service while maintaining excellent service quality.

A strategic route

The line serves five strategic stations: Terminal 1, Terminal 3/Roissypôle, Parc PR, Terminal 2 F/D and Terminal 2 E/G. This route provides an efficient link between all the terminals and major areas of the airport, with optimised journey times. The total distance covered is 3.3 kilometres, taking less than 8 minutes from one terminus to the next.

Capacity tailored to requirements

CDGVAL trains can accommodate up to 120 passengers per journey, with a specially designed space for luggage. Transport capacity is up to 2,000 passengers per hour in each direction, enabling an efficient response to peaks in passenger numbers at the airport. The stations are equipped with lifts and escalators to make it easier for passengers to move around with their luggage.

A service focused on passenger excellence

The CDGVAL places the user experience at the heart of its priorities, offering a service designed to meet the specific needs of air travellers.

Optimum accessibility

CDGVAL stations are designed to be fully accessible to people with reduced mobility. The platforms are on the same level as the trains, and audio and visual systems guide passengers. The clear, multilingual signage makes it easy to find your way around the network, even for international travellers discovering the airport for the first time.

Perfect integration into the transmission network

The CDGVAL fits seamlessly into the airport's overall transport system. In particular, it provides an efficient connection with the RER B at Roissypôle station, facilitating access to Paris and the surrounding region. The proximity of private car parks such as Class'Parkwhich offers a shuttle service to the airport, effectively complements the official parking offer. Connections with the various car parks and drop-off zones are optimised, offering a seamless, fluid transport experience.

An attractive pricing policy

Access to the CDGVAL is entirely free for all airport users, a significant advantage for travellers. This free access applies unconditionally to several categories of user:

• Passengers in transit between terminals
• Airport employees
• Accompanying persons and visitors
• Users of car parks P1, P2, P3 and PR
• Passengers connecting to the RER B at Roissypôle

This policy of completely free travel is part of Paris Aéroport's overall strategy to facilitate mobility within the hub. In particular, it reduces the use of shuttle buses and thus contributes to the airport's environmental policy. For passengers wishing to travel to Paris, only the RER B journey from Roissypôle requires the purchase of a special ticket.

The CDGVAL is much more than just a means of transport: it is a key element in the operational excellence of Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport. Through its performance, reliability and accessibility, it makes a significant contribution to the quality of service offered to the millions of passengers passing through the hub. Its success demonstrates the relevance of the technological and organisational choices made, making the CDGVAL a model for modern airport transport systems.