Robin_O

I am traveling to Florence Italy (for the first time) and the first leg of my flight lands at Charles De Gaulle Airport @ 8:30 am and my connecting flight leaves at 10:05 am so I have roughly an hour and a half to get to my next terminal. Any advise or special tips on navigating this airport would be greatly appreciated. Also do I have to go through customs upon arrival at CDG? Like I said I am totally new to this and am traveling alone.

J62

You will go through immigration at CDG but not customs.

I'm not familiar with CDG so I'll leave it to others to give you airport specific advice.

rkkwan

I assume you're flying from the US. If both your flights are on DL or AF, then it's pretty straight forward, as both flights will be in the Terminals 2DEFG, with clear signage. If you're flying AF into CDG, they even give you a guide in transiting there.

But if you're on other airlines, please say so.

artsbabe

We found it clear enough, but don't dawdle because you will have to go through security again -- the disrobing, the scanner, the whole 9 yards.

Robin_O

Yes I am flying Air France from the states and my connecting flight to Florence is on Air France but operated by City Jet (don't know if this makes a difference?).

@ artsbabe- "disrobing"? Really?

Thank you all for the info!

deedeedee

I took that same flight from LAX to CDG & then Florence. They don't give you to
much time to catch that flight to Florence, so you must really move fast. If I can remember, I think you need to get on a bus to get to the terminal. We were worried about the time factor only to find out when we got to the gate that the flight was delayed for 2 hours. You should not have any problem. Ask the flight attendants for help with directions to the terminal. They will be happy to help. Good luck.

Robin_O

Thanks deedeedee! I guess that was my other concern is spending my first day waiting for delayed or missed flights as I am meeting my husband at Peretola airport. How were the security lines and the bus? Did the bus take long? I have been reading horror stories of people trying to get to the next terminal and having to wait 50 minutes only to be dropped off and wait for another bus to arrive and then of course missing their flight? Do you go straight to security after disembarking the plane or do you catch the bus first then go through security? Just like to know what I am in for so I can have a game plan. Also deedeedee do you have any suggestions of favorite restaurants in Florence? I am spending my birthday there and would like a nice, not too fancy ($$-$$$) place with great food and wine (we eat everything) and great service. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as we will be in Florence 10 days.

rkkwan

Rather than just reading others' horror stories, you can help yourself more by finding on AF's website which terminal you flight from the US usually arrive, and which terminal the flight to Florence depart. Their site also has good info about connection. Check CDG's official site as well. That way you're familiar with CDG's layout.

deedeedee

Hi Robin .. It is hard to predict how long it will take you to get from point A to point B.
Don't get too concerned as to what you read or hear regarding the time it takes to get to the terminal for your flight to Florence. It is what it is and it is out of your control, so just go with
the flow & cross your fingers. If I can remember, I think we went through security first & then onto the bus, but I could be wrong after such a long flight & not paying attention. I am sure if you move fast after getting directions, you won't have any problems. As far as restaurants ....
if you like steak, try Buca Lapi (you can look at reviews on trip advisor ) or try Aqua Al 2
I don't know where you are staying, but usually the people at the hotel can help you with restaurant suggestions. Have fun ! Also t

rkkwan

Just want to add that there has been quite a bit of improvements of the areas of CDG that AF and other Skyteam partners use, so old horror stories may not apply. What you need to know is which terminal your flight to FLR departs from, and know that both France and Italy are Schengen countries, so you go through immigration at CDG. If you see signs for 'Schengen connections', that's you. Your bags will be checked through to Florence, so you won't see them at CDG. Like others have said, don't linger. Get to your new gate directly.

deedeedee

Hello again ... Also try Ristorante Paoli

Robin_O

Thanks deedeedee! Will check out your restaurant suggestions! We are renting an apartment so won't have the convenience of a front desk to book reservations and make suggestions. We are staying on the "left bank" of the Arno not far from the San Frediano area and the Oltrarno but we can take a bus or taxi to any place.

Thanks rkkwan. I have gone to the Air France site and also looked at their map of the airport. I would be flying into terminal 2E and my connecting flight leaves from 2G. It says it takes 10 minutes (as they are right next to each other and in the flow of the bus route). I am not overly worried about the connecting flight, but I do like to be prepared for possible delays or mistakes that I might have made had I not read about others' experiences or asked questions. Thanks again for taking the time to comment and share your knowledge and experience.

travelgourmet

Note that you will have to take the bus. G is not accessible from the other terminals by walking. It should be pretty straight-forward, but keep your eyes open for signs. Note that there is not much n the way of facilities at G, but the lines are also not usually long, either.

Robin_O

Thanks travelgourmet. I went to the Air France site and it provided directions on how and where to catch bus for terminal 2G. I am feeling much more confident about this connection. Like deedeedee said, it's out of my control and it is what it is, just going to go with the flow, but hurry and not dawdle at the same time!!

suze

You already figured it out. That's the suggestion I was coming to make. Find a map of your airport. Either online in advance &/or in the back of the magazine most airlines provide on flights. You can also ask a flight attendant for advice, tell them you're a 1st timer and nervous about making the connection (sometimes is helpful, sometimes not).