Molloy95

Yes, another train question -- while I'm patiently waiting for my 90 day mark .

Our flight from the States gets in at 8:20am. Would a TGV departure of 9:45am allow us enough time to do all that "arrival stuff" or is it too rushed?

Also, anyone know (or can point me to a resource) how far away/hard/easy it is to get from an AA arrival gate to the TGV departure area? If someone's got a good link to a map that would show it, even better to satisfy my inner map geek.

Thanks in advance

StCirq

Here's geek info for Charles de Gaulle airport: http://www.airwise.com/airports/europe/CDG/

I believe AA comes into Aérogare 1, so you'd need to take a shuttle to Aérogare 2, which will take at least 45 mins.

I usually allow 2 hours between arrival time at CDG and takeoff time on the TGV. Sometimes I have time to spare and sometimes I just make it.

Underhill

It sounds a bit too rushed to me. Even if you plane gets in on time, you sometimes have to wait and wait for a bus to come out and take the passengers to the terminal (2, in your case). Then there's usually a line for immigration; customs, however, is almost always quick. Then you have to get your luggage and haul it over to the TGV station, which is below terminal 2. I'd be uneasy without a clear two hours to make the connection.

Molloy95

Thanks so much for the "under 4 minute" response! I am always both amazed and so delighted at the wealth of information that Fodorites have and so readily share with others. You guys are great!

(Map geeks unite!)

Molloy95

Hmmm, as I'm looking at that link (and another site I just found) it says that AA uses Terminal 2A. Would you still stick with the 2 hour window? I know it is better to be safe than sorry, there is also a 10:10, an 11:24, and a 1:11. Thanks for any additional thoughts you have.

Mara

My AA flight from JFK came in to CDG2. I walked to the TGV station rather than take a shuttle. It was a long walk but there are plenty of signs and at least I didn't get stuck taking a shuttle in the opposite direction. But your time frame is pretty tight unless you just carry on your luggage. There are maps at aeroportsdeparis.fr

Christina

If you arrive in terminal 2, I think that is certainly possible. It would be more likely if you knew the airport and had done all this before, of course. So, it's possible if your plane is really on time or a little earlier. If you check baggage, you just never know for sure how long that can take -- sometimes it is pretty quick and the bags are coming out by the time you get there, and sometimes I've waited maybe 30 minutes.

So, it's possible but I would say it's also possible it's too tight a window. Don't think there's any way to say for sure.

MorganB

AA does indeed come into terminal 2. However since its 2A its a bit of a hike or bus ride over to the TGV station. You have to clear passport control and get your bags. It normally takes me no more than about 45 minutes to do that at CDG but based on what I have read I am fairly lucky. Last time I flew in there was only 1 agent to look at passports. A second one showed up shortly after but a huge line had formed and people were getting angry. I just happened to be near the front so I wasnt delayed. I think 9:45 is pushing it. At least book the 10:10 if not the following one.

Powell

I agree with St. Cirq and Underhill. Given all of the moving parts:

-Late arrival at CDG
-Luggage scramble
-Passport Control

I would leave a minimum of two hours.

Anthony

polly229

Just got back from Greece with a [scheduled] 85 min.plane change from Delta to Air France at CDG. A 10-min. late arrival left us with 75 min. and we were pretty much hustling the whole time to make it. It was a lot farther than than the maps appeared, though signs were good. (Granted, we had to go back through security for hand luggage at the departure gate, which I assume wouldn't affect you. But we didn't have customs to deal with and immigration for a connecting flight was minimal.)

Our original [Delta mileage] scehdule had us returning through CDG with a 50 min. connection between 2 Air France flights. Apparently that's considered legal, but I'd sure hate to do it - particularly since arrival delays of 10-20 min. are so common as not even to be counted as "late". Because of posts on this forum (thanks, Fodorites), we hounded Delta until they gave us Delta Athens to JFK. And I'm very glad Delta finally relented. CDG is a lot bigger than it appears on maps and the exact routes you have to take aren't shown.

Maribel

Hi Molloy,
I agree with the above. I'd allow two hrs. just in case...

I waited at the TGV station at CDG for friends last June coming in on Air France, and they made it from plane to train in an 1 hr. 15, walking from their gate at Terminal 2, but flight arrived on time, more custom agents than usual at passport control, no lost luggage, and they knew the drill of Terminal 2.

The last time I flew in to CDG on an Air Plus Comet from Madrid it took a full 30 min. for luggage to be unloaded, only one inspector at passport control, and there was a huge line for the elevators to take me down to the shuttle bus.

I'd take that later train.

Molloy95

Many thanks to all of you for your collective advice and experience!

Caldremr

another vote for the two hour rule..just too many variables to cut it closer...if you have time then it's time you can use to buy a drink or whatever you might need and have forgotten...or just to gather your thoughts...