christy

I am traveling to Paris and want to catch a flight to Athens. The flight arrives in Paris 1 1/2 hours before the flight departs for Athens. Can anyone tell me if this is enough time to go through customs, baggage claim and get to the other terminal to check in?? I will change airlines so I don't think I can check my bags through. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Andy

Christy-the Paris airport is a nightmare to get around if you don't speak french--the information people aren't real helpful <BR> <BR>When we flew Air France from JFK to Paris and transferred to another Air France plane from Paris to Avignon-we had to pick up our luggage and go thru customs (that didn't take long) but the line waiting to check into the connection plane was long and we had over 1 1/2 hr to make this connection so it was really a close call... <BR> <BR>Supposedly if you show your ticket( or tickets if they were purchased separately) in the US-YOU NEED to present ticket to your final destination-your bags SHOULD get ticketed all the way through--that way,you would eliminate any handling of your baggage in the Paris airport-- <BR>Call both airlines or your agent who did your reservation number and see if the thru-baggage-ticketing system will work in Europe-- <BR>I know years ago I flew British Air to London and trasferred to TAP into Portugal--didn't have to do customs in LOndon-just went direct to TAP's gate and boarded plane--luggage was checked all the way thru to Lisbon. (of course,it was 2 days before I saw my luggage)...

Judy

Forget it! We went through the same thing and decided for the longer layover just to have peace of mind. We might have made it but it would have been extremely close and I would have been a wreck. Of course I didn't like the waiting around in a semi-comatose state either.

Gene

,I do a lot of international flying, however, I have not flown through Paris. All my flights, regardless of destination in Europe, the luggage was transferred automatically. I just flew to Geneva through Amsterdam and changed airlines from US Air to KLM and had no problem. You might have to go to a transfer station as they have in Amsterdam. You must when you check in show them you baggage claim ticket as this will be entered in the computer and changed automatically. This is for security purposes and is a good thing. <BR> <BR>Before the EC it was a problem; but, not since the borders have come down. I usually go through customs at the destination airport. <BR> <BR>All that said is usually good to have at least to hours between flights if you are not familiar with the airport. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps <BR>

Ed

It should be plenty of time! <BR> <BR>This presumes you check your bags through to final destination, the flight is within 30 minutes or so of being on time, and you are able to read internationally understandable signs. <BR> <BR>twenj

pam

It SHOULD be plenty of time if... <BR>If this and that occurs when you need it to. <BR>Why gamble? I wouldn't and I wouldn't want to have to worry about it. <BR>Better safe than sorry..

Betsy

Is there any way to pack so you can carry on your luggage?

Ed

After nearly 200 transatlantic crossings I find these obsessions about connection times mildly amusing. <BR> <BR> <BR>In 35 plus years of transatlantic travel we've blown zero connections flying westbound. A bomb threat busted a connection and cost us an overnight in Geneva once in the eastbound direction. We've been without our baggage for 24 hours ... ONCE ... due to the infamous air traffic controller's strike. (We made the connection but our bags didn't.) <BR> <BR>What if this happens, or that happens, or the sun does't rise? <BR> <BR>Why not prepare for a possible strike.?A one day strike? A two day strike? A meteor gouging a hole in the runway? <BR> <BR>Why risk a one hour or two hour or three hour connection. Add a day. Better, add two days. Perhaps a week? <BR> <BR>Folks, airlines really want to get you and your bags to your destination. It's expensive when they can't get that done. Expensive to them. They really want you to get there. <BR> <BR>So, when they meet periodically to review and establish minimum connection times at airports, they really try to pick numbers that will get most everyone where they're supposed to get to, when they're supposed to get there. <BR> <BR>Are there strikes? Sure. Hurricanes? Sure. Mechanical problems? Absolutely. Do terrorists invade airports? Sadly, yes. <BR> <BR>Do these minimum connections time work a VERY high percentage of the time? You bet your bippy they do. And when the airlines find they don't, they adjust them. <BR> <BR>Some of us may think the airlines are dumb, stupid and mean. They arent't. At least they're not dumb or stupid. <BR> <BR>What can be dumb? Trying to make a connection time long enough to cover ALL possible eventualities. Just can't be done. <BR> <BR>What if the airline goes out of business? Maybe I better buy two sets of tickets? <BR>

robin-k

, <BR>christy: If you've not bought your ticket, it would be a good idea to give yourself more time between flights. However if you already do have tickets, then I'd suggest you hope for the best and make sure that your luggage is well marked -- by this, take an anal retentive step (I do this by habit) and create a luggage tag showing ALL your flight itinerary for that day as well as name/phone number of your hotel at final destination in Athens. OR if you have style of luggage with a small outside zippered compartment that doesn't lock, then another option is to insert a copy of your travel itinerary, name of hotel & contact numbers. Should your bags fail to make connecting flight or if they make it & you don't, then it makes it easier for airlines to track you done and re-connect you and your bags.

Christina

I've flown through Paris a lot and only missed a connection once because my plane was 3 hrs later than usual, but I've always made connections if I really had 1-1/2 hrs between. Your bags should go thru, you have to go through customs when your final destination is not an international airport (like Avignon). The only way to avoid checking bags (which I don't think is the issue here) is to have only one carryon usually as often you aren't allowed two any more on full international flights.

Christy

I appreciate all the responses and information. <BR>I have not purchased my tickets yet. I want to buy a ticket on the website "europebyair.com" where flights from Paris to Athens are $99. Only glitch is the 1 1/2 timeframe. Has anyone purchased a ticket on that website?? Any problems?? I have thought about using carry-on luggage but I am not sure if that will work. I will definitely think about that one!! I would love to spend a day or two in Paris, but I am visiting family in Greece that I want to see ASAP!!!

Another Betsy

Ed! <BR> <BR>Almost 200 transatlantic crossings? I'm impressed!

Andy

Christy-all international flight have a weight limit for carryons--BA allows 15 lb MAX for carryon ,Virgin Atlantic allows 13 lbs--and so on---and that's NOT a lot of stuff when you go to weigh it...ALL the airlines weigh the carryons=if you are over the limit,they CAN ,but a lot of times DON't,charge you for overage or will require you to check your bags...ALso if you go from the US to 1 country in Europe and stop overnite in a country --only to continue flying a few days later,,,then you come under the European rules of weight limits which are MUCH less than International weight limits... <BR>Don't worry so much about checking vs carrying on your bags--if they're checked thru to your final destination,you will get them..if you decide to stay in Paris for a few days-make sure the bags are checked all the way thru to Paris...But you need to purchase a tkt in and out of Paris if you want to remain in Paris prior to going to Athens--then buy a roundtrip from Paris to Athens to Paris...ie.Your US tkt should read anycity to Paris back to any city. Hope this helps.