CDG Express trains have been presented in Paris as Hello Paris prepares to run the direct airport rail link from Paris-Est station to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The planned journey time is 20 minutes.

CDG Express trains set for Paris airport link
CDG Express trains set for Paris airport link

The fleet has been shaped around the practical demands of an airport service. Short travel time is part of the brief, but so are reliable operation, comfort and accessibility for passengers travelling with luggage, wheelchairs, pushchairs or other mobility needs.

How CDG Express trains are built for airport travel?

The trains use the Coradia Polyvalent platform, which was originally developed by Alstom. According to Alstom’s official announcement, the order covered 13 trains for the Hello Paris consortium, with the fleet adapted for the CDG Express line. Production is now handled by CAF France at its Reichshoffen plant in Alsace.

The trains will be able to operate at up to 150 km/h. That speed supports the planned 20-minute journey and helps the operator maintain punctual service. CDG Express will use a dedicated fleet of 13 trains: ten for daily operation, two for maintenance and one spare unit kept at Paris-Est station for short-notice replacement.

Comfort features for the Paris airport rail link

The interior has been arranged with air travellers in mind, especially those carrying luggage. In its official project update, CDG Express described the new trains as rolling stock designed around speed, comfort and accessibility for the airport service. Each train will include more than ten luggage storage areas, spread through the train to improve passenger flow and reduce crowding.

A fully low-floor layout will let passengers move through the train without steps. Gap-filling systems at the doors will also support level boarding for travellers with suitcases, wheelchairs or pushchairs, making access easier and faster.

Each seat will have a reclining backrest, a fold-out table, a power socket and USB-A and USB-C charging ports. Passengers will also have onboard Wi-Fi during the trip, while LED lighting will adjust automatically depending on the time of day. Toilets and baby-changing facilities will be provided on every train.

At one end of each train, an “Express Lounge” will offer 12 seats in a 2+1 arrangement. The area is designed to give passengers a more comfortable and private space when they want a more premium travel experience.

Accessibility, safety and lifecycle plans

Accessibility is built into the wider train design, not treated only as a boarding issue. The trains will include dedicated spaces for passengers with reduced mobility, wheelchair-accessible toilets, touch-free water dispensers and SOS buttons positioned at suitable heights.

Travel information will be shown on LCD screens, including real-time updates, remaining journey time and expected arrival times. Audio announcements will be available in several languages. An onboard train manager will also assist passengers during the journey.

Safety systems will include CCTV, alarms integrated into the doors and emergency call functions that can be located directly by the driver. Railway Supply previously covered the wider CDG Express rail link to Charles de Gaulle Airport as part of France’s plans for a direct airport connection.

According to the operator, the CDG Express trains are designed for a service life of 35 to 40 years. Their modular structure and standardised components are expected to improve maintenance efficiency and reduce long-term lifecycle costs.