We will be departing CDG for US, IAD, on United on Thursday Sept 30.
Flight leaves at 12:25.

How much time should we allow to get to boarding area? First time leaving France from CDG. Is it really that horrible of an experience? We will check in our bags and will have one small backpack per person.

To avoid airport food and lines my plan was to buy lunch food items in the morning before leaving for CDG and carry them through security. Would this be possible?

Thank you for your advice.

James

You are supposed to arrive 3 hours in advance, I believe, and I think that is the best idea. There are very adequate places to eat--or to buy cheese and bread after security.

Based on my experience on a weekday morning in February, I'd allow three hours inside the airport -- lines to check in and tag the luggage, exit passport control, main security screening, additional hand luggage check just before the departure gate.
So leave central Paris at 8:00-8:30 for arrival at CDG by 9:30.
It is a good idea to have some food with you if you are flying on a US carrier because options in that terminal are few/poor.
If you are on Air France, I don't know that terminal.

It's the same as a lot of major airports, no different, in my experience. Takes me the same time where I live in the US when departing for abroad. It depends on day and time of day, of course, etc. I don't like United, either, I usually fly Air France but have flown UAL once, they have a bad departure area and methods, I think. Poor signage, also, as I recall.

Things might not be as crowded at noon as around maybe 10 am. I always get to any airport for international travel (to/from US) 3 hours ahead of time. It's always worked for me at CDG.

As far as I know they allow food through security, but I've never tried it. As long as you aren't trying to take something in that is paste/gel/jelly/liquid in a jar or bottle. A sandwich should be okay. I have taken nuts and candy, though.

It is extremely variable, but <b>because</b> it is variable, you have to allow 3 hours. You might be at the gate 2 hours early.

To add a further question, will be flying back to USA from Paris on a Tuesday in November, however, 1st flight is CDG to Dusseldorf and then on to ATL. Do same check in rules apply as initial leg is within Europe ??

Our flight from CDG to DUS leaves at 7:25am so am thinking need to be at aiport by 5am.

Is my thinking correct ??

It might be faster since your first flight is not US-bound (involving passport exit and handscreening at the gate), but you'd still need to do the first check-in line to obtain your boarding cards and, of course, the standard security screening.

So when would we do passport / customs exit ?? Dusselforf ??

Passport exit formalities are done as you leave the Schengen (Euro) zone on a US-bound flight. (Just as arrival passport check is at your first Euro airport even if you are connecting there to another Euro country.)
Customs inspection (if any) is done at your final destination in Europe, but at your first US airport on the return trip.

Plan on being at Terminal 1 by 09h30, earlier if you have duty-free items to declare (and if you do, remember to do this before you check in your luggage). Give yourself about 1 hour to reach the airport from most of Paris. Should you decide to use one of the shuttle services, give yourself up to 2 hours en route time. Shuttles are notoriously unreliable and shared ride shuttles can take a good amount of time picking up other passengers. You do not want to arrive at CDG late. I personally use taxi, Roissybus, Air France bus, or Métro/RER depending upon whom I am with and from where in Paris I depart.

CDG is not a horrible experience if you arrive with sufficient time for the check-in and security formalities. Terminal 1 is actually a great deal easier than is Terminal 2A from where several other US airlines depart.

You can take non-liquid food items with you through security. Some of the departure gates at Terminal 1 have security right at the boarding area. You´ll find food options minimal near many boarding gates.

Flying to Dusseldorf is a snap. One hour is enough. It's one of the great advantages of flying to the U.S. indirectly -- none of the useless security interview business when you check in your bag.

Sarastro...thanks. So if my flight to DUS is at 7:25am I should plan to be at CDG - Terminal 1 by 6:00am ??