Long Layover in Paris

Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:07 AM
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Long Layover in Paris

Hi there,

I am currently looking at airline flights from Athens Greece to Texas mid October. There is a 19 hour layover in Paris France; arriving at 2:45 pm and departing the next morning at 10:30. I'm not sure if we will need to recover all of our luggage during this overnight stay, but granted we do, would it be possible to visit the Eifel Tower during this layover or is there a better way to make use of our time? We're arriving late in the afternoon, so it may not be open.

Anyway I welcome any thoughts and/or suggestions.

Thanks so much!
Makeithappen is offline  
Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:11 AM
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Why the long layover? Which airlines are you looking to use? Need more info.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:29 AM
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Hi Dukey1,

Air France is the airline. The flights are cheaper so I was considering that particular one. I've been waiting for the shorter layover flights to go down, but not having much luck there. I should have bought the tickets in May when they were much cheaper and exactly what I wanted. Beating myself up over that mistake that's for sure. The flights from Texas are pretty good, but not the return.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:43 AM
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I would maybe get a hotel room in Paris and go spend the evening there. Get a cab early in the morning back to CDG. Of course, this will completely eat up all your "savings".
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:44 AM
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Or get a hotel near a stop for the Air France bus to cut down on cab costs.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:49 AM
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A 19 hour layover will require your staying in a hotel. I don´t suppose the price of AF tickets includes this expense. If it does not, plan on and additional 100€ to 150€. However, that amount of time allows you to go into Paris and look around, even have dinner.

Just be back at the airport 3 hours before any transatlantic flight. Some people might actually enjoy the opportunity for a short visit to Paris.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 06:52 AM
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The Eiffel Tower is open until midnight, here's the website:

http://www.toureiffel.paris/en/prepa...ing-times.html

Do you plan to stay in town or at an airport hotel? If you stay at an airport hotel, dump any luggage and head into Paris on the RER.

The last train to CDG leaves Gare du Nord just after midnight, but also check on getting from the RER CDG station to your hotel.

Or, you could stay in Paris, just as easy. You may/should be able to check luggage through if it's a connecting flight and head in to Paris with a just carry on.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 07:07 AM
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Thanks everyone,

Yes we will be staying in a hotel if we chose this flight. At first a long layover was not an option, but then I thought...ummm....I could possibly welcome a layover in Paris if I arrive mid afternoon and not depart until the next morning. That's when I decided to get advice from the pros. I'm not familiar with Paris at all and don't know the distance from airport to town. Sounds like choosing a hotel in either area will suffice.

I guess my main concern is choosing a hotel that would be more convenient to get to the airport early morning with less delays. Having only a carry on would be so helpful...will have to confirm with the airline.

Thanks again everyone!
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 07:08 AM
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I'd stay at CDG just so that you don't have to rush around to catch your AM flight. Then take the train into Paris.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 07:17 AM
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This all depends upon when you depart the following day. If it´s before noon, I would stay at the airport. There are 5 hotels on the airport itself making transition to a departing flight very easy.

The five are the Sheraton in Terminal 2, the Hilton, Novotel, Ibis, and the Pullman; all located on the free rail shuttle CDGVAL.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 07:50 AM
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That Air France bus is a good suggestion. The one I've done in the past that would be perfect for you is:

Line 2: CDG -- -- Paris-Arc de Triomphe (Place de l'Etoile)
These leave every 20 – 30 minutes between the hours of 6.00AM – 11.00PM

The bus stop is on the northwest side of the Arc de Triomphe, and there are loads of hotels nearby - - you can just zoom on the map at a site like booking.com

From there the line #6 Metro goes directly 5 stops to the Eiffel Tower.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:23 AM
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A WORD OF WARNING:

Whatever you do don't take a chance on a shorter layover unless it's at least 2.5 hours. Sometimes the shorter layover is way too short when you're coming from the U.S. and going to Greece, and if the lines at Passport Control and Customs are long and if you have to go to another terminal by shuttle for your connecting flight to Greece, you may not make it. CDG is a terrible airport. I've had to pass through CDG many times on the way to Greece. I've seen the Passport Control section, which has about a dozen windows, manned by only 2 or 3 seemingly indifferent officers, all trying to process hundreds of passengers from several incoming flights all at once. If you get stuck in such a jam-up you will be sorry you didn't take my advice.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:28 AM
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Thanks for your reply. I agree with the others; get a hotel at the airport and take the train in or get one in town and take the train or a taxi or the Air France "bus" back out.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:32 AM
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botherleelove:

I think she/he is coming FROM Athens (Greece) back to the US with a stop at CDG.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:41 AM
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I would not leave luggage in someone else's hand that long. All my experience with someone rummaging through my luggage happened when the luggage had to be left a long time due to layover > 6 hours.

I have just had a layover like this, except in my case, I was heading to southern France. My plane was arriving too late into CDG and there was no way I could take a train and drive to the destination during the check-in window, so I stayed in Paris. In your case, it would make sense to stay at the airport. I would NOT take a taxi in this case. I also arrived around 3pm, and I decided to take a taxi. In retrospect, this was a mistake for arrival this late in the afternoon. More than half of the trip to Paris was bumper to bumper traffic having to listen to the driver cursing at other drivers, and I ended up paying 78EU on the meter. I have never paid this much for a taxi ride to Paris. Next time, even if I am with luggage, I would take a RER to Gare du Nord and then take a taxi from there during the rush hour. I would be both faster and cheaper.

If you stayed at the airport, you should take possession of your luggage, check-in, and take Air France bus or RER into town. If taking the RER route, look for another thread on how to pay for the RER.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:48 AM
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Brotherleelove.....thanks for the warning. That's exactly what I've been trying to avoid while planning my trip. I had read that you need at least 2.5 hours in Frankfurt, but thought I could get by with at least 1:30 elsewhere (wrong thought). That applies to US-ATH as well as the return so thanks for clarifying that important factor.

Dfourh...thanks soooo much for the detailed route information.

Sarastro...thanks for the hotel suggestions...that helps a lot.

Staying near the airport has won my vote...thanks again!
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:54 AM
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Thanks Greg....will NOT be taking a taxi. So when the layover is overnight we have that option to pick up our luggage and recheck it the next day? Do we have to request this or do we just go to baggage claim upon arrival at CDG? Sorry for my ignorance on this, but this is a first time traveling with such a long layover.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 08:59 AM
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Be sure you are clear with the check-in desk about what you want to do with your luggage. If you want to take it into Paris, that won't be an issue. Perhaps i'm too trusting, I would leave it with the airline if I could.

When you are handed your baggage claim checks, double-check that they are coded correctly for whatever you decide to do.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 09:03 AM
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We just spent one night at the Ibis at CDG a few weeks ago. We found it very reasonable and tho somewhat stark and with no character it was a great one night stay. We too flew Air France to Houston from CDG, our flight was 10:30 am and it was very easy getting to our departure gate. Also, if you want to take the RER B into/from Paris the cost was about $28 usd each way for the two of us and is right outside of the Ibis so very convenient. If you check out the Ibis be sure to look at the correct one, there are several close to the airport. Enjoy your trip.
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Old Jun 6th, 2014, 09:14 AM
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I have never had a layover that long and nothing would make it worth it to me. You'd have to be saving at least $500 or more to make that worthwhile. You'll have hotel costs and a partial day layover in most large cities is not that enjoyable due to the logistics. But if your time is free (mine isn't an extra vacation day is worth money), and want to, I also would just stay at an airport hotel to make it easy. The idea of going all the way into Paris to stay one night in a hotel and then having to get back out to the airport the next day sounds like one big PITA. Your morning flight will mean you need to be there very early, around 7:30 am, so you'd need to leave your central Paris hotel around 6:30.

Just stay in an airport hotel and take the train to/from Paris if you want to go there.

Shouldn't you ask the airline what the deal is with the luggage? It might vary by airline. I've never done a layover that long so have no idea if they even allow people to keep their luggage at the airport for such a long layover. It sure will make things easier if they do, then you'd just need a few things in a carryon with you. I would be worried the luggage would get lost, also, but maybe I just worry too much.
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