CDG much improved
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
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CDG much improved
I just connected from an EU flight to Int'l flight and easily made a 1 hr. 10 minute connection at 9:45 in the morning.. The signage has been rectfied with huge colorful billboards. There are agents at immigration funneling you to the available lines and more ground staff at the security checks helping make all go smoothly.
They haven't been able to improve the layout but my only complaint is I always land in the middle of nowhere, park on the tarmack,have to be bussed to a teminal after the grand tour of the airport behind the scenes, and then my gate is always the very last one.
Terminal 2E seems to have been newly carpetted.
Really not the dismal connection it used to be.
They haven't been able to improve the layout but my only complaint is I always land in the middle of nowhere, park on the tarmack,have to be bussed to a teminal after the grand tour of the airport behind the scenes, and then my gate is always the very last one.
Terminal 2E seems to have been newly carpetted.
Really not the dismal connection it used to be.
#4

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 24,032
Likes: 6
I wouldn't say that the signage has been "rectified" since it was correct already. Perhaps "enhanced." The only problem is that in the past, the signage was at European eye level, while many travellers from America and Asia were looking to the ceiling for signage and not finding it. Now it is displayed both ways.
#5
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,478
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Lin...
This is good to know. I've got a connection at 8:30am at CDG in August from St. Petersburg, Russia and I was hoping my 1 hour 45 minute connection time would be sufficient, seems like it will be, but will always keep my fingers crossed until I am happily ensconced in my seat! ;-)
This is good to know. I've got a connection at 8:30am at CDG in August from St. Petersburg, Russia and I was hoping my 1 hour 45 minute connection time would be sufficient, seems like it will be, but will always keep my fingers crossed until I am happily ensconced in my seat! ;-)
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#8
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 12,820
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I was there this past September and didn't care too much about the new layout.
I had to walk through a long tunnel to reach the US airlines, which are now located in a different area.The tax free shopping area is much smaller in comparitions to the older ones.
I had to walk through a long tunnel to reach the US airlines, which are now located in a different area.The tax free shopping area is much smaller in comparitions to the older ones.
#9
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
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adu.. too funny. I guess I was pleasantly surpirsed by the new larger signs and all the ground agents directing peope at the immigration and security lines. not sure on a super busy day how this would be but it seemed like a sleepy mid-morning there.. this low season, frozen French day. No.. not drugged but no bad feeling for a change this day at CDG. Still not my favorite airport but definitely an improvement over my last trip.
#13
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,556
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This past October, I flew in to CDG twice and out twice, and I'm not really sure which sections of which terminals I was in. The first flight inbound was from Frankfurt on Lufthansa; it was mid-morning on a Tuesday and the airport quite empty. I puzzled about this next bit, but I don't believe I passed through any immigration office that asked to see my passport... could this be ? Do they not check it if you're flying in from another EU country ? I must check my passport.
I then went into Paris and later that evening took the RER back to CDG for a flight to Cardiff, Wales on a discount airline. I recall getting off the train and taking the escalator up to the departure lounge very quickly. The departure lounge was very large and spacious (like a hangar) and looked new to me. There was a Laduree macaron store in there, very close to my departure gate.
I flew back from Cardiff on a Sunday afternoon and had some tight land connections and times to get to a dinner in Paris using the RER and Metro. Whatever gains may have helped me by our earlier than scheduled arrival were offset by the extremely long walk to get to the RER station in CDG from the flight drop off point. It took me a full 23 minutes of continuous fast walking (just one small wheeled roll-on) and using the express walkways and escalators. This was the worst segment of experiences in CDG.
My last time at CDG was on a Lufthansa flight at 10.30 on a Wednesday morning to Frankfurt. I took the metro and RER from Paris to get there and got to the departure area quite quickly. This time the airport was very busy and full of people wheeling luggage all over the place and into you. The Lufthansa Business Class lounge in this location was awful both in ambience (essentially a few dark office rooms in the middle of the lounge) and services (no meats or cheese, ran out of pastries; only some small pieces of dry bread and whole fruit). I was better off outside in the departure lounge. The BC meal however on this 1 hour flight was outstanding, and one of the best I'd had.
I then went into Paris and later that evening took the RER back to CDG for a flight to Cardiff, Wales on a discount airline. I recall getting off the train and taking the escalator up to the departure lounge very quickly. The departure lounge was very large and spacious (like a hangar) and looked new to me. There was a Laduree macaron store in there, very close to my departure gate.
I flew back from Cardiff on a Sunday afternoon and had some tight land connections and times to get to a dinner in Paris using the RER and Metro. Whatever gains may have helped me by our earlier than scheduled arrival were offset by the extremely long walk to get to the RER station in CDG from the flight drop off point. It took me a full 23 minutes of continuous fast walking (just one small wheeled roll-on) and using the express walkways and escalators. This was the worst segment of experiences in CDG.
My last time at CDG was on a Lufthansa flight at 10.30 on a Wednesday morning to Frankfurt. I took the metro and RER from Paris to get there and got to the departure area quite quickly. This time the airport was very busy and full of people wheeling luggage all over the place and into you. The Lufthansa Business Class lounge in this location was awful both in ambience (essentially a few dark office rooms in the middle of the lounge) and services (no meats or cheese, ran out of pastries; only some small pieces of dry bread and whole fruit). I was better off outside in the departure lounge. The BC meal however on this 1 hour flight was outstanding, and one of the best I'd had.
#14
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 9,285
Likes: 0
I chose to fly into CDG this June hoping it would be better than my terrible entry into Heathrow last June... it took about 2 hrs to clear customs and I think I was number 500 in line. They were not working the lines efficiently either. I figured anything had to be better so I am flying out of Heathrow this time and into CDG so I am hoping it is an improvement.
#17
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
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Just came back through CDG March 2. Very well organized immigration line, seemingly giving passengers with short connection another line to go through. I again was very happy to see the SIZE of the terminal signs was so improved. There are even little "vertical portable" signs where a kiosk or shop obscures your view. Well done CDG.
I do suggest anyone with the faintest hip or knee problem get a wheel chair here as the distances CAN be horrendous, although there are many moving sidewalks.
I do suggest anyone with the faintest hip or knee problem get a wheel chair here as the distances CAN be horrendous, although there are many moving sidewalks.
#18
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,960
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My problem with CDG was ATM's that didn't work--it took trying 3--all far apart--before we found one that would work. Lots of wasted time. If this is your first stop, you need Euros for transportation.
Also, finding the Roissy Bus was almost impossible. Never did see a sign for it and I knew the general area it was in.
Also, finding the Roissy Bus was almost impossible. Never did see a sign for it and I knew the general area it was in.
#19
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
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I think it is called Les Cars ( the buses) so maybe you didn´t recognize the word. I did see signs for "Les Cars". I don´t know if there is a sign that says "ROISSYBUS".
I know once I had to use two or three phones. That was a pain, too.
I know once I had to use two or three phones. That was a pain, too.

