One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
LHR7.0+0.5
CDG6.5
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
LHR7.2+0.2
CDG7.0
Food & retail
Best for
LHR
Fast rail to central LondonNew liquid-friendly securityExtensive free water accessBA long-haul hub
Watch out for
LHR
Promising a T2–T3 airside walkway — official transfers are a free shuttleT4 multi-storey parking closed 23 June 2026 (Park & Ride Zone A only)T5 Priority Pass is Club Aspire, not No.1
Amenities and tips
LHR
Heathrow ExpressFree Water FountainsNo1 LoungesReserve & Collect
LHR · Heathrow is a four-terminal hub with official 2025 traffic of 84.5 million. CT scanners from 23 January 2026 let 2-litre liquids and laptops stay in the bag. Live Priority Pass is not No.1 in every terminal — T5 is Club Aspire, and T3 Plaza Premium on PP is arrivals only. There is no Chase Sapphire Lounge.
CDG · Solid European hub with excellent rail links but a complex terminal campus and variable security times. Calendar 2025 traffic was 72,029,407 (Groupe ADP).
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
LHR7.5+0.3
CDG7.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
LHR8.0
CDG8.5+0.5
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
LHR7.0
CDG7.0
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
LHR7.4+0.3
CDG7.1
CDG
Fast rail links to ParisStar Alliance connections24/7 transport options
T3 Plaza Premium on Priority Pass is the arrivals room (06:00–14:00)
Australia-bound flights still use the 100 ml liquids rule
CDG
Complex terminal layoutLong security queuesExpensive airside foodRoissyBus ended 1 Mar 2026 — use RER B or Express 9517 via Saint-Denis-Pleyel
Arrive 3 hours early for long-haul
New scanners reduce liquid hassle; queues still form at peak.
Confirm the terminal before you book a lounge
BA uses T5 and T3; Star Alliance mostly T2; T4 is its own bus/rail hop.
Reserve & Collect skips the airside queue
Reserve & Collect skips queues at popular airside outlets.
CDG
Free WiFiCDGVAL shuttleDuty-free shoppingShowers in loungesFamily rooms
Arrive 3 hours early for non-Schengen
Security and passport control often exceed 30 minutes.
Use CDGVAL for quick transfers
Free automated shuttle links T1, T2, T3 in 5-8 minutes.
Eat before security in T2
Airside options are limited and pricey in many halls.
