May 5, 2026

Where is Paris Beauvais Airport

If you are flying to France on a low-cost airline, there is a good chance your ticket says Paris Beauvais.
At first, that sounds simple: you land in Paris, grab your bag, and head into the city.

But here is the important detail many tourists discover too late: Paris Beauvais airport is not actually in Paris.

So where is it exactly, how far is it from the city centre, and what is the easiest way to get to Paris once you land?

This guide explains everything clearly, with practical tips for tourists and the best transport option, including the Terravision shuttle.

What is Paris Beauvais airport?

Paris Beauvais airport (officially called Beauvais–Tillé Airport) is a smaller international airport used mainly by budget airlines.

It is especially popular with carriers such as:

Ryanair
Wizz Air
EasyJet (some routes)

Tourists often choose this airport because flights are cheaper than those landing at Charles de Gaulle or Orly.

Even though it is marketed as a Paris airport, it serves as a secondary hub outside the capital.

Where is Paris Beauvais located?

Paris Beauvais is located near the town of Beauvais in northern France.

More specifically:

About 4 km from Beauvais city
In the Hauts-de-France region
North of Paris

The airport code is BVA, which you may see on your flight ticket.

This is important for navigation because Paris has several airports, and Beauvais is the farthest one.

How far is Paris Beauvais from central Paris?

One of the most common tourist questions is distance.

Paris Beauvais airport is approximately 85 km (53 miles) from central Paris

Travel time usually ranges from 1 hour 15 minutes (best case) up to 2 hours depending on traffic and schedules

That is why planning your transfer in advance is essential.

H2 : Is Paris Beauvais really a Paris airport?

This is where many travelers get confused. Technically, Paris Beauvais is not inside Paris. It is outside the city, closer to the countryside than the capital. So why does it have “Paris” in the name?

Airlines use the Paris label because:

Paris is the main destination tourists search for
Beauvais serves as a low-cost alternative
It is still connected to Paris by shuttle transport

For comparison:

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is about 25 km from Paris
Orly (ORY) is about 13 km away
Beauvais (BVA) is about 85 km away

So yes, it is a Paris airport in branding, but not in geography.

Best ways to travel from Paris Beauvais Airport to Paris

For most tourists, the simplest and most reliable option is the direct shuttle bus.

The Terravision shuttle bus offers low-cost transfers from Paris Beauvais Airport (BVA) to the heart of Paris. What makes it especially tourist-friendly is that you have two arrival choices in the city: Porte Maillot and Montparnasse.

Porte Maillot is the traditional shuttle stop and a major transport hub in western Paris.
From here you can easily connect to the metro, buses, or trams to explore the city centre, sightseeing districts, or reach other transport connections.
Montparnasse is another direct option provided by Terravision.
This arrival point is perfect for travellers with onward high-speed trains, those staying near Paris Montparnasse, or visitors heading toward the left bank and southwestern districts.

Both stops offer a smooth, stress-free way to start your Paris stay, with luggage space included and schedules adapted to flight arrivals.

Arriving in Paris: metro, bus, and tramway connections

Once you arrive at Porte Maillot or Montparnasse, you are already inside Paris and can continue your journey easily using public transport.

Paris has one of the best urban transport systems in Europe.

Paris metro basics for tourists

The Paris Metro is the quickest way to move around the city, with 16 lines covering almost every major attraction. Once you arrive from Paris Beauvais with Terravision, you can easily continue your journey whether you get off at Porte Maillot or Montparnasse.

If you arrive at Porte Maillot, you have direct access to Metro Line 1, one of the most important lines for tourists.
Line 1 runs straight through central Paris and stops near famous landmarks such as:
Champs-Élysées – Arc de Triomphe
Place de la Concorde
Louvre–Rivoli (Louvre Museum)
Hôtel de Ville (near Notre-Dame)

This makes Porte Maillot an excellent arrival point if you want to start sightseeing quickly.

If you arrive at Montparnasse, you will be at Montparnasse–Bienvenüe, one of the biggest transport hubs in Paris.
This station connects several key metro lines, including:
Line 4 (north–south route through central Paris)
Line 6 (great views near the Eiffel Tower)
Line 12 and Line 13 (useful for many neighborhoods and business areas)

Montparnasse is also ideal for tourists continuing by train from Gare Montparnasse toward destinations like Bordeaux or western France.

Using buses in Paris

Paris buses are a great option for tourists who want to travel above ground and actually see the city while moving between neighborhoods.

Both Porte Maillot and Montparnasse have major bus stops with routes going toward:

Central sightseeing districts
Shopping areas and museums
Popular neighborhoods on the Right and Left Bank

For example:

From Porte Maillot, buses connect toward the Champs-Élysées and western Paris.
From Montparnasse, buses serve Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, and other Left Bank areas.

Buses can feel simpler than the metro for short trips, especially if you prefer fewer stairs and more city views.

H3 : Tramway in Paris: when it helps

The Paris tramway network operates mainly around the outer edges of the city rather than in the historic centre. While most tourists rely on the metro, trams can be very useful if you are staying in southern or western districts, visiting event venues, or traveling beyond the main sightseeing areas.

Paris tram lines are especially helpful for reaching:

Outer neighborhoods not directly served by metro lines
Major exhibition and conference centres
Easy connections between suburban areas without crossing central Paris

Some practical examples include:

Tram Line T3a and T3b, which run along parts of the outer ring of Paris (near the Boulevard des Maréchaux). These lines are useful for moving between districts around the périphérique without taking multiple metro changes.
If you arrive at Porte Maillot, tram connections in western Paris can help you travel toward areas near La Défense or the outer residential zones just beyond central Paris.
From Montparnasse, tram services in southern Paris (such as connections toward Porte de Versailles, a major exhibition centre) can be a convenient option if you are attending events or staying outside the city core.

Trams are modern, spacious, and often less crowded than the метро, making them a comfortable alternative for certain routes, especially when exploring areas beyond the classic tourist centre.

FAQ

Does Paris Beauvais airport have metro access?

No. Paris Beauvais Airport does not have a direct metro or RER connection, because it is located far outside Paris. To reach the metro network, you first need to travel into the city (for example, by Terravision shuttle to Porte Maillot or Montparnasse).

What happens if my flight is delayed?

Terravision schedules are designed around flight arrivals, but it is always best to check the latest departure times online. In busy travel seasons, booking ahead helps secure your place.