CDG 75min to connect and BABY!
 

HELP!

I am traveling alone with my 16month old son, and we have a connection at CDG!!!!!!!

75 minutes to connect from 2E (well what actually exists of 2E) to Schengen 2D.

I am anticipating a LONG immigration line and then I intend to run from 2E to 2D with my son strapped to me because I think a stroller will just add time to the transit which I cannot obviously afford.

Any suggestions, any ..... Just want the assurance that it won't be that bad and I will make it. I don't speak French, only English and Spanish.

If your arriving flight is on time, I think you will make it OK. I fly into CDG regularly, and the passport-control lines aren't that bad, generally less than a 20 minute wait, and quite often less than 10 minutes. Then the walk from 2E to 2D would take about 10 minutes. I always walk rather than taking the shuttlebus, which is horribly slow. Bon courage with your bambino -- if he's anything like mine was, he will run up & down the aisles all the way across the Atlantic!

I'm not sure if this is relevant for transit passengers, as compared to those finishing at CDG T2 and looking for their luggage - but still might be useful for you. Make sure that you go to the right Immigration queue. When I fly BA, I often notice hordes of passengers flooding like lemmings toward a long immigration queue, when it turns out that their baggage is being delivered at a different exit (and immigration queue). When you're picking up luggage and leaving, you need to look for the monitor that tells you which exit/baggage room to go to, and it's not always the closest. Something similar might be true for you, too - i.e. the exit you need to pass through for your transit isn't necessarily the one that all the other passengers are streaming toward - and not necesarily the one with the big line-up.

Thank you for any information. Everyone says such horrible things about CDG. I am praying my son sleeps all the way there but the flight back will be a race up and down the ailes for sure!! Thank you so much.

"Everybody" does not say horrible things about transit at CDG -- just most Fodorites. Immigration at 2E is a snap, so you should have no trouble getting over to 2D on time -- and well in advance.

2E to 2D isn't that far. As another poster said, walk, don't take the shuttlebus. Not speaking French is not a problem. If you have questions go to an AF desk and ask politely and you will get your answer. "Good morning" or "Bonjour, How do I get to ...."

Make friends with the flight crew on the way over and ask them for suggestions.

If you're making a connecting flight your luggage should be transferred so you don't need to be concerned about what door you leave to get your luggage.

Thank you everyone!!!!!!!!!!

Words of encouragment are needed as the day approaches I am getting nervous about the whole trip. I appreciate everything. I will let you know how things turn out.

I hope it works out well for you. Once more, I suggest you make friends with the flight crew (give them candy, cookies or something) and ask for suggestions or help.

You mentioned not using the stroller and I think it's a good idea not to. It would slow you down, setting it up and if your flight lands on the tarmac you might have to walk down the stairs and get onto a bus to the terminal. If you can carry your son atrapped to you, you'll be better off.

Good luck and don't worry too much about it.

oops. Should have written "strapped to you" not atrapped to you.

Have a good trip!

THank you for all your tips! We made it to the connecting flight both times without problems. THankfully I followed a season traveler and that allowed me to get around much faster. Plus my dad had told me where to go to get my boarding pass for the connecting flight. I actually brought the carrier and stroller and used both at various times. Very helpful! Again thank you!

I am always happy to see a testimony that people & their baggage do not systematically miss their connecting flight at CDG.