Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Map (Most Up-To-Date)
CDG Terminal 1 sits within the main Paris CDG airport complex as a circular central drum with stacked levels and outward gate satellites. Navigation is a level-first decision tree: CDGVAL arrives on Level 2, most check-in is on Level 3, and security/passport distribution happens on Level 4 before you commit into tubes and sub-tarmac tunnels. The fastest fixes run through the central void (glass elevators + tube mouths), not long ring walks that compound mistakes.
Map Table
| Zone | Level | Connection | Walk Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDGVAL “Terminal 1” station | L2 | fare gates; central vertical core | 1–2 min to elevators |
| Services ring | L2 | food court; Halls 5–6 | 1–3 min ring segments |
| Main Departures check-in ring | L3 | Halls 1–4 | 2–4 min between halls |
| Tube entrances | L3 | transparent tubes; moving walkway | 0–2 min from inner ring |
| Security + distribution plate | L4 | security banks; duty-free | 0–3 min from tube exit |
| Passport control corridor | L4 | PAF booths; non-Schengen split | 2–10 min queues |
| Satellite 1–2–3 junction building | Airside | connected lounge zone | 3–7 min from security |
| Satellites 5–6–7 access | Airside | sub-tarmac tunnel; travelators | 4–8 min to far gates |
| Arrivals + baggage claim | L5 | circular reclaim hall | 2–6 min to doors |
| Official taxi rank | L5 | Door 24 | 1–4 min from reclaim |
| VTC / ride-app pickup | L3 | Door 16 “Dépose Minute Pro” | 4–8 min via central elevators |
CDG Terminal 1 Map Strategy
- Build buffer for queues and peak loads at passport control/security; if signage stops making sense, back to the central core (elevators/info) instead of orbiting the ring.
- Treat every move as a level decision first (L2 CDGVAL/services, L3 check-in/VTC, L4 security/passport split, L5 arrivals/taxi); wrong level = full ring walk + time loss.
- Use the central void tools on purpose: central glass elevators for level changes, then the tube entrances for the L3→L4 transition; ignore the temptation to “just keep walking the ring.”
- Do “last chance” tasks before you commit: restroom/food on L2 or immediately after security on L4, before any sub-tarmac tunnel to Satellites 5–7.
2025 Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Map + Printable PDF
As of 2025 operations, Terminal 1’s core layout remains the same: CDGVAL arrives into Level 2, most check-in is on Level 3, and the “commitment layer” (security/passport control before tunnels) is on Level 4. The post-2023 refurbishment notably improved airside flow for Satellites 1–3 via the new junction building, while Satellites 5–7 still behave like isolated islands once you enter their tunnel.
Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Level 2 Map 2025-2018
Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Level 3 Map 2025-2018
Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Level 4 Map 2025-2018
Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Level 5 Map 2025-2018
2025 Charles de Gaulle International Airport Terminal 1 Map Guide
What is the exact walking distance (meters) from the CDGVAL “Terminal 1” stop to the Terminal 1 departures check-in hall entrance (including level changes)?
Walking is about 80–110 meters from the CDGVAL platform at Terminal 1 (Level 2) to the first Departures check-in counters on Level 3, plus the level change via the central elevators or the diagonal travelator.
| Start → Finish | Path fragments | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| CDGVAL platform → fare gates | platform edge; gateline | ~20 m |
| fare gates → central vertical core | Level 2 service ring; inner edge | ~40–50 m |
| vertical transition | diagonal travelator or glass elevators | ~30 m conveyance |
| Level 3 exit → first check-in counters (Halls 1–4) | inner ring entry | ~20–40 m |
Which exact exit/door from Terminal 1 Arrivals leads to the official taxi rank, without crossing into the wrong pickup zone?
The official taxi rank is reached via Arrivals Level 5, Door 24 (Porte 24).
Use the Level 5 doors labeled Taxi and aim for Porte 24 on the curb. Avoid exiting at Porte 30–36 (private pickup) or Porte 16 (bus/shuttles/VTC confusion), because curbside barriers make it hard to cut back to the taxi queue without a long curb walk or going back inside.
From the Terminal 1 central hall, what is the exact route (named corridors/tubes) to the satellite gate area used for most departures, and where is the first irreversible wrong turn?
The first irreversible wrong turn is passing the Level 4 boarding-pass/security gates into the wrong satellite feed, because the next step commits you to either the Junction Building (Satellites 1–3) or a sub-tarmac tunnel (Satellites 5–7) with limited backtracking.
| Step | Named path | Level | Landmark anchor | Commitment risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central hall (check-in ring) → tube entrance | transparent “tubes” | L3 → L4 | inner ring; tube mouth over central void | low |
| Tube exit → processing layer | security + distribution plate | L4 | immediate tube off-load; security/PAF signage | medium |
| Choose feed for gates | Junction Building vs tunnel access | L4 | signs like “Gates 10–38” (junction) vs “Gates 60–78” (tunnel) | high |
| Commit to gate zone | Junction Building (Sat 1–3) or sub-tarmac tunnel travelators (Sat 5–7) | Airside | tunnel down-slope travelator entry or junction lounge entry | highest (wrong zone = major recovery) |
What is the exact location (level + landmark) of the primary Security entrance for Terminal 1 departures, relative to main check-in?
The primary Security entrance is on Level 4, immediately at the top exit of the transparent tubes that rise from the Level 3 check-in ring.
From main check-in on Level 3 (Halls 1–4), walk toward the inner edge of the circular hall facing the central void and enter the tube entrance. When you step off the tube on Level 4, the security checkpoint (X-ray/metal detectors) is directly ahead in the first processing area, before any sub-tarmac tunnel entrances.
What is the exact point where Schengen vs non-Schengen passenger flows split in Terminal 1 (before/after security), and which corridor marks that split?
The Schengen vs non-Schengen split happens on Level 4 before you enter the satellite tunnels, at the corridor split where Passport Control (PAF / Police) appears for non-Schengen departures.
On Level 4 after exiting the tubes, follow overhead gate signage until you reach the first “Y” divergence: one side feeds PAF booths (Police / Border Control) for non-Schengen processing, and the other side bypasses PAF into the Schengen-bound security lanes. The corridor with visible PAF booths is the defining marker; if you are in a security queue with no border-control desks anywhere along the approach, you are in the Schengen flow.
What is the exact walking distance (meters) from Security to the farthest common Terminal 1 gate cluster, and which moving walkways shorten it?
Walking is about 200–250 meters from the Level 4 security exit to the farthest common Terminal 1 gate cluster (typically the far end of Satellite 7, Gates around 70–78), with most of the under-apron tunnel covered by moving walkways.
| Segment | Landmark anchor | Distance | Moving walkway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security exit → tunnel entrance | immediately after screening; follow “Gates 70–78” | ~20–40 m | none |
| Sub-tarmac tunnel (under apron) | down-slope tunnel mouth; long straight run | ~150–180 m | yes, covers most of tunnel |
| Satellite 7 entry → far gate | satellite ring; last gate positions | ~30–40 m | none |
For travelers arriving via RER B (Aéroport CDG 1 / Roissypôle), what is the exact indoor route to CDGVAL, including the correct entrance to avoid outdoor detours?
The correct route is an indoor walk of ~180 meters from the RER B exit gates inside Roissypôle to the CDGVAL fare gates/platform, without going outside.
Exit the RER B train and go up to the main Roissypôle exchange hall, then follow overhead signs reading “CDGVAL / Terminal 1 & Terminal 2.” Stay inside the concourse and enter CDGVAL through its wide indoor gateline near the station shops (e.g., Relay/Brioche Dorée area). If you pass through glass doors toward the bus station or feel outdoor air, you’ve missed the indoor CDGVAL entrance and need to turn back inside.
When transferring from Terminal 2 complex to Terminal 1, where exactly is the CDGVAL platform access point (level + nearest landmark like Sheraton/TGV), so you don’t walk the wrong direction?
CDGVAL access for Terminal 2 → Terminal 1 is at the Terminal 2 train-station spine by Gare TGV, next to the Sheraton Paris CDG Airport Hotel entrance, reached by following signs for “Gare SNCF / CDGVAL.”
From the Terminal 2 complex, head toward the Gare TGV / SNCF area (the central station block between the 2C/2D side and the 2E/2F side). The CDGVAL entrance is in the main station atrium near the Sheraton doors and ticket-hall activity; if you find yourself drifting toward the far ends of Terminal 2 away from the station, you’re walking the wrong direction for CDGVAL.
Where is the exact Arrivals-to-Departures vertical transition point in Terminal 1 (the correct escalator/elevator bank), to avoid ending up on the wrong ring level?
The most reliable Arrivals-to-Departures transition is the central bank of glass elevators in the main void (“the hole”), taking you from Level 5 (Arrivals/Baggage) straight to Level 3 (Departures/Check-in).
From Level 5 after baggage claim/customs, walk inward toward the central open void and use the glass elevators rather than perimeter lifts or confusing escalator runs that can divert toward parking levels. Select Level 3 and you’ll exit directly into the check-in ring, close to the tube-entrance side of the inner corridor.
What is the exact location of the baggage claim exit that leads to pre-booked car / ride app pickup routing, and which sign wording should you follow first?
The correct routing starts by not exiting outside at Arrivals Level 5; you must go to Departures Level 3, Door 16 (Porte 16) for VTC/ride-app pickup.
From the baggage claim/customs exit on Level 5, follow the first signs for “Ascenseur / Lift” and “Départs / Departures” to reach the central elevators. Go up to Level 3, then follow curbside/door numbering to Porte 16, often labeled “VTC” and/or “Dépose Minute Pro / Professional Drop-off.” If you step outside on Level 5 looking for Door 16, you’re on the wrong level and will get the “ghost car” problem.
Inside Terminal 1, where are the nearest restrooms to the main security approach, and what is the shortest detour distance to reach them?
The nearest restrooms to the main security approach are typically on Level 3 along the outer perimeter behind/near the check-in counters or near the central elevator cores, about 50–70 meters of detour from the tube/security approach.
- Level 3 tube approach → nearest WC cluster: outer wall behind check-in back-of-house doors; nearest access points usually near an elevator core break in the counters; ~50–70 m detour.
- Best low-risk option: Level 2 restrooms by the CDGVAL/food-court zone before you go up to Level 3, because once you enter the tubes toward Level 4 you’re effectively committed until after security.
What is the exact location of the first “flight connections” decision point in Terminal 1 (the junction where you either commit to exits vs stay in the correct departures flow)?
The first flight-connections decision point is at the tunnel/bus-arrival exit back into the central building, before Passport Control (Police/PAF) and before you enter the baggage-claim/exit stream.
When you emerge from the arrivals tunnel into the central core, look for the yellow overhead signs “Correspondances / Flight Connections” versus “Sortie / Baggages / Exit.” The commitment happens at that junction: if you follow the flow into Passport Control and then into the baggage hall, you’ve effectively exited the transfer path and will have to re-enter landside processes to depart again.
What is the exact location of the information desk/help point closest to the Terminal 1 main circulation hub, and what is its distance from check-in?
The closest information/help point is on Level 3 (Departures) in the central open area by the inner edge of the check-in ring, near the tube-entrance side of the central void, about 20–30 meters from the inner edge of Check-in Halls 1–4.
Because the check-in layout is circular, the desk functions like a hub node: from any Hall 1–4 counter line, cut inward toward the central void (where the tube entrances and glass elevators are) and you should reach the information point within a short, straight segment rather than walking the ring.
Where exactly are the food options airside nearest to the main Terminal 1 gate circulation ring, and what is the shortest walking distance to the closest one?
The closest airside food is immediately after security on Level 4 in the central duty-free/concession zone, typically 0–50 meters from the security exit.
- Level 4 post-security central zone: concessions clustered right after screening, before any sub-tarmac tunnel entrances; shortest walk ~0–50 m.
- Satellites 5–7: limited kiosks/grab-and-go only; once you enter the tunnel you’re committed to that satellite’s sparse options, so eat on Level 4 first if you want a full meal.
- Junction Building (Satellites 1–3): broader dining spread than Satellites 5–7, reachable after you choose the junction feed from Level 4.
What is the exact route from Terminal 1 Arrivals to the CDGVAL station (door/level sequence), and where do travelers most commonly mistakenly follow “Exit” signage away from it?
The correct route is Level 5 (Arrivals) → central glass elevators → Level 2 (CDGVAL) → follow “CDGVAL” signs to the internal station, without exiting outside.
Travelers most commonly misroute at Level 5 by following “Sortie / Exit” to curbside doors, stepping outdoors and losing access to the internal vertical core flow. From baggage claim/customs on Level 5, walk inward to the central void (not the curb), take the glass elevators to Level 2, then follow overhead signs for CDGVAL along the Level 2 service ring to the platform area.
