Kathie21

We are planning a trip to Paris in September and the third member of our group is flying in from a different city. We've found flights that arrive fairly close to one another (barring delays) and I was wondering how diffcult it would be to meet up in or around baggage claim. The only time we've been to CDG was to change planes so I have no idea how collecting luggage is handled. I realize that there are a number of concourses and that the airport is huge, but is there a way to make this doable?

docdan

It may work, but it may be a problem. Remember, you have to collect luggage, then go through customs. So if there is a delay, you'll be stuck in no man's land. How do you intend on going from CDG to the city? Bus, Cab, Train? If by train, there is a nice cafe right next to the French rail ticket office. The thing to do is to search for the airport's website, find the map of the airport, and select a coffee shop or cafe outside the secure area, near where your intended ground transportation will be, and just meet there.

adrienne

I agree with docdan. I would not want to be hanging around a baggage claim for very long.

StCirq

Are you all flying into the same aérogare? If so, it shouldn't be too hard to meet up. Google plans of the airport and pick a spot. If you're coming into different terminals, forget trying to meet up and just meet at your hotel.

djkbooks

You cannot necessarily depend on your landing terminals to be accurate. My husband and myself, and my brother, were all scheduled to land at 2E (where we've all always landed previously. Last trip, one plane landed at 2F and the other at 2B. We had cell phones so had no problem meeting up.

If you're not familiar with CDG and want to meet to share a taxi, a good place is the Sheraton, because it's easy to find.

If you're planning to take the RER into Paris, there's a cafe opposite the RER ticket area that can't be missed.

Make sure you know the other's airline/flight number so you can check the display regarding actual arrival time.

Have a Plan B in case one plane or the other is later than you want to hang around CDG waiting to meet.

docdan

Concur with DJK. I have only been to CDG once over 4 years ago and still remember the cafe next to the RER ticket office - It is basically in a central location, or at least easy to get to , so that makes sence.

Christina

I don't know how you could predict you'd both end up having the same luggage place. Sometimes they even change the terminal where you land from what it said on your ticket due to their airport requirements. At this point, you don't even seem to know where you are both scheduled to land and if it is different terminals, then no, there isn't any way you could meet at the same baggage collection belt becuase you can't go into it from the outer area.

kerouac

If the flights are all on schedule, just plan for the first person to arrive to walk to the 2nd person's arrival exit -- very simple.

In case of a delay, a plan B is very simple as well -- wait at the RER café or just meet in the city in case of a major delay. Nobody should have to wait in an airport for several hours.

Kathie21

Thanks for all your responses - I like the RER cafe or Sheraton idea. A central location that you can't miss sounds like what we are looking for. We'll both be on Air France and "should" arrive within 30 minutes of one another, but obviously could be on different concourses.

theflock

I have arrived at 2E and had to meet friends arriving an hour later from a different city on a different airline at (I think) 2A. I just picked up my luggage and walked to the other terminal, bought a coffee and waited. All the arriving flights came through the same exit door after gong through baggage claim, so I easily saw my friends as they passed through the door. We had several cell phones among us in case there was trouble finding each other.