At CDG the name of your terminal matters: Terminal 2 alone is seven halls, and every terminal is due to be renamed in March 2027. Orly is simpler, one building in four numbered parts. Here is what to expect between the aircraft door and the car at either airport.
CDG Terminal 1
The original circular building, opposite Terminal 3. Mostly Star Alliance airlines, with others including Qatar Airways. Linked to the rest of the airport by the CDGVAL train.
CDG Terminals 2A to 2F
Six halls side by side, joined by walkways, with the TGV and RER B station beneath them between 2C–2D and 2E–2F. Air France uses 2E and 2F, and Emirates has its Paris lounge in 2C.
CDG Terminal 2G
A separate satellite that cannot be reached on foot. The N2 shuttle bus runs to it from 2F, and from 2E late in the evening.
CDG Terminal 3
Used mainly by low-cost airlines, next to Roissypôle and its bus station. The RER station named Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 is a five-minute walk from here, not at Terminal 1.
Orly 1, 2 and 3
The old Orly Ouest, now Orly 1 and 2, and Orly 3, the building that opened in 2019 to join the two halves. The metro line 14 station stands in front of Orly 3.
Orly 4
The old Orly Sud, at the other end of the building. It has its own Orlyval stop, and the metro station has a second exit close to it.
Announced for 16 March 2027 at CDG: Terminal 1 stays 1, Terminal 3 becomes 2, 2A and 2C become 3, 2B and 2D become 4, 2E becomes 5, 2F becomes 6 and 2G becomes 7. No change has been announced at Orly. Airlines move between halls from time to time, so go by your booking and tell us exactly what it says.