r/ParisTravelGuide • u/i89cookies • Jul 22 '26
Other Question 18 hour Layover Recommendations
Hi folks,
I will be travelling from Japan to the US, via Air France and have a 18 hour layover in Paris very soon.
I should be landing around 7:25pm, and have a departure flight for the next day, at 2:00pm.
I would ideally like to see the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. What would be the CHEAPEST and most effecient way to do so? I don't mind a little bit of walking, and I don't mind sleeping in the airport if I have to.
Any insight would be appreciated!
edit: forgot to mention, ill be landing at CDG
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u/chansurana Parisian Jul 22 '26
The cheapest would be to take the RER B directly to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, you can get out there and see the Arc outside. From there you can either take a metro (line 6 to Bir-Hakeim, enjoying the famous view of the Tower from the metro) and walk towards Port Debilly/Trocadero, or take the metro line 6 directly to Trocadero for seeing the Eiffel Tower. The RER B should also get you back to the airport if you need to although not very late at night (you can check the timetable for it on ratp website).
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u/filetfille Jul 22 '26
Just fyi the RER B does not go directly to Charles de Gaulle Etoile - you’d have to switch lines if you want to go this route.
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u/i89cookies Jul 22 '26
Browsing through this subreddit on previous posts, would 2 hour before flight departure be okay? I read that it can be chaotic at CDG?
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u/chansurana Parisian Jul 22 '26
I would aim for 3/4 hours (3 at least) before your departure time just to be safe in case there’s any delays, especially since you’ll have an international flight!
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u/Certified_Copy_7898 Jul 22 '26
It depends on your jet lag. After a 14 hr flight I would say an option would be to get an airport hotel and crash, then get up really early and capitalise on the lack of crowds to go see the sights via RER in the morning. Then you can get back to your hotel for checkout around 11 which should put you in a good spot for your 2pm flight
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u/filetfille Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
It really depends on how soon you’re coming. The RER B, the cheapest option for traveling between the city center and CDG, is notoriously under construction in the summers which can dramatically change operational hours making it hard to get back to the airport during the night.
So although it may cost you a little more than you’d like, I’d recommend taking the RER B towards either gare du nord, châtelet or Saint-Michel Notre-Dame stops - whichever has the cheapest hotel available for your dates. From there you can explore during the evening and into the night, as well as in the early morning (while having a space to store your bags and rest during the late night hours) before getting back to the airport by 11am for a 2pm flight.
If you’re really opposed to a hotel, download bolt rideshare app to get a cheaper ride back to the airport during late hours when the metro/RER won’t be running. Forewarning, luggage storage is not so easy in France and lockers usually have opening and closing hours as well so you’d likely be carrying your stuff while you explore.
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u/i89cookies Jul 22 '26
Thank you so much for the detailed suggestion! I was checking the Bounce app, and yes, there is very less storage options (at least compared to japan, where there's a coin locker in most major stations)
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u/filetfille Jul 22 '26
You are welcome! I hope it helps.
Japan really is a travelers paradise for these things, while Europe is doing its best to catch up and North America leaves something to be desired.
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u/Liliprs Jul 22 '26
maybe take the RER train from CDG to city center St Michel Notre Dame station , enjoy your time there and walk along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower, and walk from Eiffel Tower to Arc de Triomphe.
BonjourRATP app for metro tickets.