Paris Le Bourget Airport (LFPB) is not merely one option among several for private aviation into Paris. It is, definitively, the only choice for charter flights under 25 seats, and the strongly preferred gateway for all general aviation operations at the French capital. Charles de Gaulle and Orly are commercial airports: they tolerate private jets when they must and restrict them when they can. Le Bourget exists for business aviation, and it shows in every aspect of the operation.
A Le Bourget airport transfer is therefore a different proposition from a standard CDG or Orly run. The client arriving here has chosen a mode of travel defined by control, discretion, and time efficiency. The ground transfer must honour the same standards.
Operational Profile: What Makes Le Bourget Different
Le Bourget (LFPB) sits 12 km northeast of central Paris, just beyond the Périphérique in the commune of Le Bourget. Six characteristics distinguish it from every other Paris airport:
- 24/7 arrivals: Le Bourget accepts arrivals around the clock. only realistic option for late-night or pre-dawn private jet operations when CDG's schedule is restricted.
- Departure curfew: Jet engine departures are prohibited between 22:15 and 06:00 local time. Medical evacuation flights are exempt. Plan departures before 21:30 to allow adequate preparation time.
- No slot requirement: Unlike CDG, Le Bourget operates without mandatory pre-departure slots (except during the Paris Air Show), making last-minute schedule changes operationally manageable.
- On-site customs clearance: CIQ (customs, immigration, quarantine) is completed within the FBO, at the foot of the aircraft or inside the terminal. The process takes five to twenty minutes depending on the FBO and passenger nationality. No shared processing with commercial airline passengers.
- Four professional FBOs: Universal Aviation France (30+ years at Le Bourget), Signature Flight Support, ExecuJet (Luxaviation group), and Jet Aviation. arrived at Le Bourget in 2025 following its acquisition of the ASTONSKY facility (three hangars, 3,500 m², G700-capable). operate at the airport. Each offers lounge facilities, catering coordination, crew services, and ground transport arrangement.
- Cost advantage: Landing and handling fees at Le Bourget are lower than CDG. For private aviation clients connecting to commercial flights at CDG, landing at Le Bourget and ground-transferring (10 to 15 minutes) is both faster and less expensive than landing commercially.
Drive Times to Key Paris Destinations
The transfer from Le Bourget is one of the shortest from any major private aviation airport to a city centre in Europe:
| Destination | Distance | Normal traffic | Peak hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc de Triomphe / 8th arr. | ~15 km | 20 to 25 min | 35 to 45 min |
| La Défense | ~18 km | 20 to 30 min | 40 to 50 min |
| Louvre / 1st arr. | ~16 km | 22 to 28 min | 35 to 45 min |
| Saint-Germain / 6th arr. | ~20 km | 28 to 35 min | 45 to 60 min |
| Rive Gauche / 7th arr. | ~22 km | 28 to 38 min | 45 to 65 min |
| Versailles | ~40 km | 40 to 50 min | 60 to 80 min |
For connecting passengers: CDG Terminal 2 is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from Le Bourget by car. If you need clarity on which CDG terminal your connection departs from, that determines the routing and timing briefing for the driver.
The primary route into Paris uses the A1 motorway to the Périphérique, or the more scenic direct route via Porte de la Villette and the Canal de l'Ourcq for passengers who prefer a lower-speed city entry without motorway transitions.
What the Ground Transfer Actually Looks Like
Pre-Arrival Coordination
At the professional end of the market, a Le Bourget transfer begins 24 to 48 hours before the aircraft lands. The chauffeur company receives the tail number, estimated arrival time, and FBO designation. Flight tracking tools monitor the aircraft from departure; the chauffeur adjusts timing based on live position data rather than the original ETA. When a transatlantic flight arrives 25 minutes early, as they frequently do on westerly tailwinds. driver is already positioned.
On-Tarmac Positioning
The FBO notifies the ground handler when the aircraft is on final approach. The chauffeur, pre-cleared and with the appropriate airside badge, is staged at the designated vehicle area adjacent to the FBO terminal. For ultra-high-net-worth clients, vehicles can be positioned directly at the aircraft step, practice for a properly briefed operator, requiring advance coordination with the FBO.
Arrivals Protocol
While the client clears customs inside the FBO lounge, the driver loads luggage into the vehicle. The client exits the FBO to a waiting, climate-controlled Mercedes. taxi rank, no uncertainty about which car is theirs. How corporate bookers and executive assistants brief drivers for VIP arrivals across Paris airports and private terminals is covered separately.
Vehicle Standards
Le Bourget clients arrive in aircraft configured to the highest standards. The ground vehicle must match. PrivateDrive Le Bourget transfers default to Mercedes S-Class or E-Class, with V-Class available for larger parties. Vehicles are immaculately presented, chilled water is standard, and onboard Wi-Fi is available for the transit into Paris.
Departure Protocol
Departing private aviation clients have a different stress profile from arrivals: they are watching the clock, managing the window before FBO ground preparation, often departing immediately after a dinner or a late meeting. PrivateDrive's Le Bourget departure service includes real-time monitoring of the curfew, 21:30 is the practical latest for comfort, and proactive communication if a client's schedule risks the overnight restriction.
Le Bourget During the Paris Air Show
The Paris Air Show (Salon International de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace) returns biennially to Le Bourget. The next edition runs June 14 to 20, 2027: four days reserved for industry professionals, followed by three days open to the general public. During the show, Le Bourget reaches maximum operational capacity with simultaneous commercial, static display, and flight demonstration traffic. Slot requirements apply, parking is constrained, and the access roads from the A1 and RN2 become heavily congested from 07:00 onwards.
For clients attending the Air Show, the operational solution is early departure (ground transport from Paris by 07:00 at the latest), dedicated parking coordination through the FBO, and pre-arranged return timing before the close of flying. PrivateDrive provides Air Show-specific briefing notes for clients in the weeks preceding the event.
Pricing for Le Bourget Airport Transfers
Le Bourget transfers are priced by vehicle class. All prices include parking, FBO approach, standard waiting time, and flight-tracking service. For corporate accounts managing recurring Le Bourget movements, pre-negotiated volume rates are available and typically result in 10 to 20% savings from trip 50 onward.
| Service | Vehicle | From |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (any central arrondissement) ↔ Le Bourget | Mercedes E-Class | €110 |
| Paris ↔ Le Bourget | Mercedes S-Class | €180 |
| Paris ↔ Le Bourget | Mercedes V-Class (up to 7) | €149 |
| Le Bourget → CDG Terminal 2 (connection) | Mercedes E-Class | €105 |
| Le Bourget → Versailles | Mercedes E-Class | €450 |
PrivateDrive's Le Bourget service is built for private aviation clients who expect the same standard on the ground as in the air, flight tracking, tarmac positioning, FBO coordination, and a Mercedes fleet that matches your aircraft in presentation. Book your Le Bourget transfer or enquire about our private aviation ground service.