harvey

If I am comming from Venice to Paris via Air France, how long do I need before flying out to USA on United? I'll have to change terminals. Would arriving from Venice at 3:10 for a departure to US at 5:20 be enough time. We'll have only carry ons or check a non essential bag of souvenirs or dirty clothes through.

Bob Brown

Hi Harvey. You may well arrive at T2 and need to change to T1. United has flights from T1 to the USA. You will have to take the shuttle bus to get over to T1, which is not a piece of cake, in my estimation.<BR>My concern is this: afternoon flights in Europe often arrive late. True, you have 2 hours plus on paper, but I once had 90 minutes on paper that shrunk to 25 by the time I got out of the airplane. Had the flight to Atlanta not been delayed, I would have been left at the gate.<BR>If you possibly can do it, schedule an earlier flight. I scheduled an early flight from Vienna to Paris last year to make sure I avoided the mad dash we experienced in 1999. I arrived as scheduled and had time to enjoy a few pastries at La Brioche Doree in considerable repose. I had much rather do that than bust a gut trying to get from one terminal to the other. I don't know how others feel, but CDG to me is a screwy airport that is not what I would call logical.<BR>One other point, don't stray too far from your gate. Last year, Air France just started loading with no announcement. I was there wandering around when I suddenly noticed that people were getting on the wagon to ride to the airplane. <BR>

Chris

Hi Harvey<BR><BR>I agree with Bob in that CDG is a screwy airport. There are underground passages between the terminals, at each end (the airport is shaped like a set of parentheses -- hey, just like these). Or the shuttle bus.<BR><BR>But on the plus side, you're taking carry-ons only. I have a tip -- if it's a small plane from Venice, you'll most likely have to check your carry on. Ask if you can check it at the plane when you board as you have a connection and can't wait for the luggage to be brought in from the plane. Beg. Plead.<BR><BR>As long as that flight from Venice is on time, you should be ok. If not, you're done for. And don't forget, you may not be able to get checked through to the US from Venice, so you might be waiting in line with 200 other passengers upon your arrival. <BR><BR>We've had people do the reverse -- one hour connection to go from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 -- and they've made it (running, elbowing, sweating...) <BR><BR>A little more time wouldn't hurt (except maybe your pocketbook!) -- CDG is a big airport, lots of shops, snack places, etc. Get the layout of the airport before you go -- this way you know where the passageways are, the shuttle bus goes, etc., before you get there. <BR><BR>Two hours is time enough -- IF that other flight is on time. Follow that flight for a couple of days and see if it's on time or not. Then at least you'll have a general idea.

Sjoerd

2 hours is more than enough. France is a civilized country and CDG is an OK airport, though it can get busy. I have made plenty of 50 minute intercontinental connections at CDG without any problems. Unless you actually enjoy spending time in an airport, don't book an earlier flight.

Lori

You will be fine. We got back a few weeks ago... we flew to Florence to Paris - and then only had 50 minutes to get on our US flight. It went very smoothly and we made it no problem. Just a note on Air France: On our way there our flight was delayed into Paris and we ended up missing our connection to Florence. Air France was wonderful and got us on another flight that left the next hour, no problems whatsoever. Have fun!

elvira

I am an optomist; I am positive that the worst will always happen, then I go from there. IF I miss the UAL flight, what will happen? Will the airline put me on another flight that same day, even if it's a competitor? Do I have enough money to buy a last minute ticket on another airline? Will UAL put me up in a hotel until the next day's flight? Do I have enough money to pay for my own hotel if I have to stay over? Do I have a vital meeting the next day that, if I miss, will cost my company and/or me huge sums of money? <BR><BR>If it were I, I'd find an earlier flight from Venice, or even arrive in Paris the day before....

Al Godon

Sjoerd:<BR>Does your inter continental connect time estimate include getting from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1?<BR><BR>Making a connection within T2 is not bad, if you know where to go.<BR>But it is a horse of a different hue to get from T2 to T1. (And T2 Hall A to F is a goodly jump, too.)<BR><BR>Also, what guarantee can you give Harvey that his flight from Venice will not be late? <BR><BR>

s.fowler

Normally I'm with elvira on most things -- but here I'm going to disagree -- absent the work scenario she mentions -- two hours to make the connection -- even at lunatic CDG is more than enough as long as you focus and ask questions the minute you get off the first flight even if your first flight is delayed an hour. It's not FUN -- but it is actually a generous connection time. [But then I've made connections safely in 40 minutes in Vienna and Zurich -- not by choice and I survived.]

Christina

I've made connections at CDG between two terminals in only about an hour (bags being checked through). It was close, but I did it--that shuttle bus that goes around the airport is sometimes full and you have to wait for the next one, and it can meander around a lot around in the wide open spaces around Hall F (no kidding, I was on it once when I think the driver got lost and started driving around in circles out there, it was strange). If you can easily book an earlier flight by an hour or so, sure, I'd do it, but I myself wouldn't worry about it too much and would not get to Paris a day for that.