Paris (Roissy-en-France, Val-d'Oise) to Salt Lake City (CDG–SLC) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

French citizens enter the US visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for up to 90 days for tourism or business. You must get an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before boarding. Apply at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The ESTA costs USD 21 and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. Apply at least 72 hours before departure, though most approvals come within minutes.

Your passport must be biometric (the e-passport symbol on the cover). At US immigration, you will be fingerprinted and photographed. Officers may ask about your trip purpose, accommodation, and return plans. You cannot extend a VWP stay beyond 90 days or change status while in the US. For longer stays or work, apply for a visa at the US Embassy in Paris (2 Avenue Gabriel, Paris 8e).

Air France, Delta, United, and other carriers fly Paris CDG to multiple US cities direct, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and Washington Dulles. The US dollar is the local currency. Tipping is expected (15 to 20% at restaurants). Travel insurance covering medical costs is strongly recommended since US healthcare charges are extreme by French standards. An ER visit can cost USD 3,000 or more without insurance.

RER B train runs from central Paris (Châtelet–Les Halles, Gare du Nord) to CDG T2 in 30–35 minutes (€11.80, RATP fare). From T2, a free CDGVAL people mover covers T1 and T3. Train frequency is every 10–15 minutes; service runs from around 5am to midnight.

Taxis from Paris have a fixed fare: €55 to the Right Bank (most of central Paris), €65 to the Left Bank. Journey time is 30–60 minutes depending on traffic on the A1. Ride-hail (Uber, Bolt) is often cheaper. Buses (Le Bus Direct) run from major Left Bank and Right Bank stops (€17).

TRAX Green Line from the airport station (inside the terminal) to downtown Salt Lake City takes 18 minutes ($2.50). Direct service to Intermodal Hub, Temple Square, and University of Utah. Running 5am to 11pm.Ride-shares to downtown cost $15–25. Taxis are available. For ski resorts, ski resort shuttles and Canyon Transportation offer door-to-door service ($40–60 to Park City). Car rental is on-site. The terminal opened in 2020 and is a single, modern facility; efficient to navigate.

Semi-arid continental climate at 1,290m elevation. Winters (November–March) bring regular snow and inversions. Temperature inversions trap cold air and pollution in the Salt Lake Valley, producing dense fog that can close or delay flights for hours. Snow is frequent but usually manageable. Inversions are the real disruption risk.

Summers are hot and dry (32–38°C) with low humidity and good flying weather. Afternoon thunderstorms occur in July and August but are brief. Spring is windy. The Great Salt Lake creates localized weather effects including lake-effect snow on the north side of the Wasatch.