I posted a message over on the Europe board inquiring about the best method of getting from central Paris to CDG on an early Saturday morning. In addition to the advice on transporation, a couple of replies mentioned that I needed to be at CDG 2.5 to 3 hours before my flight departure. I thought this sounded kind of excessive. BTW I'll be flying CDG-AMS in business class. While I've never flown from CDG, I don't usually arrive at an airport much more than one hour in advance for an intra-European flight. So I'm wondering if CDG is really that different that I need to arrive so far in advance? Thanks.

It really depends on where you're flying, when you're flying, and which terminal you're using.

2.5-3 hours is actually necessary during some of the busier days for travel to non-Schengen countries, like coming back to the U.S.

But you're flying to another Schengen country, so no passport control, so that's one fewer major hurdle. 2.5-3 hours is definitely not necessary, as you'll be more than halfway to Amsterdam by train.

Thanks, rkkwan. I think I'll aim for 90 minutes and leave at 5:00am for my 7:30am flight (allowing a full hour for the ride to CDG which probably won't take that long). Do you think that's safe?

Patty, this is going to be more than enough time. For the first class international flights from CDG we never had this much time. On Saturday so early in the morning it is an easy drrive to the airport, that's if you are driving. If you are taking a taxi it is much faster. Depends what part of Paris you are staying in but from the 7th I wouldn't leave earlier than 5:30 am

I missed if you mentioned what airline you are flying. I found the American Airlines out of Paris had very short lines and not nearly the amount of time that some airlines do.

Keith

Wildflower,
Thanks for the reassurance. I had originally planned to leave the hotel (near Place Vendome) at 5:30am, but a couple of responses to my other post indicated that this was cutting it too close. We won't have a car. We'll either take a taxi or arrange for a private transfer in advance.

Keith,
It's Air France and I believe the flight departs from 2F at CDG but I'm not certain.

Patty, we love the area you are staying in Paris. If you are taking taxi you may need additional 10-15 minutes. In Paris taxis not always showed up on time at the hotel when we used them early in the morning especially on weekends. Are you flying to Africa from AMS?

Yes, from AMS we head to Kenya for 9 days. I'm still working out the details for our safari. Have you been?

Patty, we were on safari in Kenya twice. You can read my trip report under "Gina's safari report."

Gina, thanks for topping your trip report for me. I'd missed that one.