CDG Paris airport

huong · Jun 22nd, 2008, 10:40 PM

I was browsing the best/worst airports thread and CDG (Paris) consistently came up as one of the worst. This makes me very nervous since I have a 1 hour 45 minute layover while on my way to Madrid. If we get lost, my friend and I do not speak any French at all, just Spanish and English. I'm not sure if I need to go through immigration or security again. I already looked at a layout online and it doesn't look too bad. I will be flying Air France (never flown with them before) from Houston-Paris-Madrid.

So my question is how bad is it actually? And do you have any tips for getting through as fast as possible? I really don't want to miss the connecting flight.

Jill · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:02 PM

U will b fine!!!NO WORRIES!!
Ive been there and had no probs..U dont have to go thru security again unless u LEAVE the airport secure area.
Most of the peeps there speak english there...so even if u DID have a problem,They will help u!
HAVE FUN!

PS-Air France is my FAVORITE airline..they r fantastic!!!!!!

Schmodi · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:05 PM

You have enough time for a connecting flight and people speak English at the CDG. It's bad because every time I go through there my luggage is lost-without fail.

You'll most like land in 2D or 2E (I can't remember). You'll have to go through immigration and then change terminals and get back in line for security. You'll be ok as long as your flight to CDG is on time.

AF is my favorite by the way. I flown Houston-CDG and it's ok but the LAX-CGD is my favorite flight.

huong · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:05 PM

Thanks Jill and Schmodi. That make me feel a lot better. I was being such a worry wart.

Schmodi · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill

Ive been there and had no probs..U dont have to go thru security again unless u LEAVE the airport secure area.

She will have to go back through security to switch terminals.

huong · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmodi

You have enough time for a connecting flight and people speak English at the CDG. It's bad because every time I go through there my luggage is lost-without fail.

That's terrible! Around how long did it take you to get your luggage back?

Schmodi · Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huong

That's terrible! Around how long did it take you to get your luggage back?

Usually anywhere from 1-3 days. I always connect in CDG when we fly to Vienna and every time our bags have been delayed. I swear there is always some sort of strike in that country so sometimes there aren't any customs agents, etc.

Mediana · Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:19 AM

With 1 hour and 45 minutes layover you should be fine. The problem with CDG is that you often have to walk, and walk. It can take some time. I missed my connection to New York once as I only had 45 min layover and the flight was late. The once in the front on the plain got on .. somebody from the airline was waiting for them with a vehicle, but I was in the back and it took forever to get off the plane. I missed my plane. A 4 hour wait for the next plane.

On the way home I missed my connection flight home. That was the day after the accident on CDG where the roof of the new building fell in. The plane were once again late ..due to parking problem, so I had another 4 hour wait.

To be honest, CDG can be stressful, but you have a lot of time so just take it cool and start walking to you new gate as soon as possible. Don't stop at any shops on your way, because you never know how far away that next gate really is.

NY_fashionista · Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:53 AM

I've transited through CDG a few times and never had a problem until the last time, when I was flying JFK-CDG-FLR. I knew an hour and a half was not enough time but Air France insisted it was fine and since my flight was late leaving JFK, we arrived in CDG behind schedule and I missed my next flight. I was rebooked on the next CDG-FLR flight, so it wasn't too big an issue, but the previous posters are correct, you will need to switch terminals and clear security again, probably from 2E (trans-Atlantic flights) to either 2D or 2F (flights within the EU).

Longchamp · Jun 23rd, 2008, 03:10 PM

I agree CDG is a dump-- sorry any French people here!!! But if your plane is running late, always let the stewardess (Not sure that is the politically correct term) know this. Most airlines will try to get you there by having a golf cart ready when you disembark and rush you to your next terminal!!

Vegas Long Legs · Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:07 PM

We flew from Geneva to Paris then to LA in march.
We had to go through customs/immigration in Paris. (I asked why & they said "Paris is not part of Switzerland!" ok lol)
We were on Air France from Geneva to LA & yet still walked over an hour in CDG. Maybe you'll get lucky & everything will be close for you.
Their international gates are under construction because of that construction defect which cause the ceilings to fall.
I will not fly through Paris again till I hear they got everything fixed.

NY_fashionista · Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

We flew from Geneva to Paris then to LA in march.
We had to go through customs/immigration in Paris. (I asked why & they said "Paris is not part of Switzerland!" ok lol)

Switzerland is not part of the European Union, which is why you had to clear immigration upon entering France. Had you flown from another EU country (i.e. Italy, Spain), you would not have had to clear immigration on arrival.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

Their international gates are under construction because of that construction defect which cause the ceilings to fall.
I will not fly through Paris again till I hear they got everything fixed.

I flew into CDG in April and it looks like the 2E construction is done. For the first time in ages, the aircraft actually pulled into a gate (as opposed to parking remotely and the passengers being bussed to the terminal). I flew out of a different airport so I didn't get to see the entire terminal, but what I saw was very nice (except the lines for passport control, which were a mess).

mellecyn · Jun 26th, 2008, 08:40 AM

2 E terminal is done !
I never realized CDG was that bad, I guess it´s bc I never had a connection there, but I think everything is quite clear, and all staff speaks english, don´t hesitate asking for help if any doubt, you´ll be fine !

Schmodi · Jun 26th, 2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NY_fashionista

Switzerland is not part of the European Union, which is why you had to clear immigration upon entering France. Had you flown from another EU country (i.e. Italy, Spain), you would not have had to clear immigration on arrival.

I flew into CDG in April and it looks like the 2E construction is done. For the first time in ages, the aircraft actually pulled into a gate (as opposed to parking remotely and the passengers being bussed to the terminal). I flew out of a different airport so I didn't get to see the entire terminal, but what I saw was very nice (except the lines for passport control, which were a mess).

Totally true. If we fly VIE-CDG we only have to switch terminals and go back through security.

Even though 2E is done-we still had to be bused in off our plane last time since there was a strike and people weren't working the gates.

ProfNot · Jun 26th, 2008, 08:44 PM

CDG is fine. You won't have problems finding what you need.

Heathrow is the nightmare!

Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:05 PM	#3
Schmodi Member Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Greater San Diego Posts: 1,889	You have enough time for a connecting flight and people speak English at the CDG. It's bad because every time I go through there my luggage is lost-without fail. You'll most like land in 2D or 2E (I can't remember). You'll have to go through immigration and then change terminals and get back in line for security. You'll be ok as long as your flight to CDG is on time. AF is my favorite by the way. I flown Houston-CDG and it's ok but the LAX-CGD is my favorite flight. __________________

Jun 23rd, 2008, 04:19 AM	#8
Mediana My next purchase Joined: May 2007 Posts: 1,918	With 1 hour and 45 minutes layover you should be fine. The problem with CDG is that you often have to walk, and walk. It can take some time. I missed my connection to New York once as I only had 45 min layover and the flight was late. The once in the front on the plain got on .. somebody from the airline was waiting for them with a vehicle, but I was in the back and it took forever to get off the plane. I missed my plane. A 4 hour wait for the next plane. On the way home I missed my connection flight home. That was the day after the accident on CDG where the roof of the new building fell in. The plane were once again late ..due to parking problem, so I had another 4 hour wait. To be honest, CDG can be stressful, but you have a lot of time so just take it cool and start walking to you new gate as soon as possible. Don't stop at any shops on your way, because you never know how far away that next gate really is. __________________ ~ Searching for a Orange Karo GM. Please pm me if you see one ~

Jun 23rd, 2008, 08:07 PM	#11
Vegas Long Legs Member Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,045	We flew from Geneva to Paris then to LA in march. We had to go through customs/immigration in Paris. (I asked why & they said "Paris is not part of Switzerland!" ok lol) We were on Air France from Geneva to LA & yet still walked over an hour in CDG. Maybe you'll get lucky & everything will be close for you. Their international gates are under construction because of that construction defect which cause the ceilings to fall. I will not fly through Paris again till I hear they got everything fixed. __________________ Planning next voyage! Oct/Nov '08

Jun 26th, 2008, 08:40 AM	#13
mellecyn Take me to LV Joined: Feb 2006 Location: 300 km from LV somewhere in Europe Posts: 2,251	2 E terminal is done ! I never realized CDG was that bad, I guess it´s bc I never had a connection there, but I think everything is quite clear, and all staff speaks english, don´t hesitate asking for help if any doubt, you´ll be fine ! __________________ "Pardon my French", euh I mean "English" MelleCyn "You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete" Buckminster Fuller

Jun 22nd, 2008, 10:40 PM	#1
huong Member Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 712	I was browsing the best/worst airports thread and CDG (Paris) consistently came up as one of the worst. This makes me very nervous since I have a 1 hour 45 minute layover while on my way to Madrid. If we get lost, my friend and I do not speak any French at all, just Spanish and English. I'm not sure if I need to go through immigration or security again. I already looked at a layout online and it doesn't look too bad. I will be flying Air France (never flown with them before) from Houston-Paris-Madrid. So my question is how bad is it actually? And do you have any tips for getting through as fast as possible? I really don't want to miss the connecting flight.

Jun 22nd, 2008, 11:02 PM	#2
Jill Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 23,500	U will b fine!!!NO WORRIES!! Ive been there and had no probs..U dont have to go thru security again unless u LEAVE the airport secure area. Most of the peeps there speak english there...so even if u DID have a problem,They will help u! HAVE FUN! PS-Air France is my FAVORITE airline..they r fantastic!!!!!!

Jun 23rd, 2008, 10:53 AM	#9
NY_fashionista Shopping Sherpa Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Handbag Rehab Posts: 339	I've transited through CDG a few times and never had a problem until the last time, when I was flying JFK-CDG-FLR. I knew an hour and a half was not enough time but Air France insisted it was fine and since my flight was late leaving JFK, we arrived in CDG behind schedule and I missed my next flight. I was rebooked on the next CDG-FLR flight, so it wasn't too big an issue, but the previous posters are correct, you will need to switch terminals and clear security again, probably from 2E (trans-Atlantic flights) to either 2D or 2F (flights within the EU).

Jun 23rd, 2008, 03:10 PM	#10
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,102	I agree CDG is a dump-- sorry any French people here!!! But if your plane is running late, always let the stewardess (Not sure that is the politically correct term) know this. Most airlines will try to get you there by having a golf cart ready when you disembark and rush you to your next terminal!!

Jun 26th, 2008, 08:44 PM	#15
ProfNot INFP Joined: May 2006 Posts: 1,014	CDG is fine. You won't have problems finding what you need. Heathrow is the nightmare!