francophile03

Well, we already have our AF tickets and we have the dreaded one hour connection time at CDG from Italy to fly home. The last time the connecting plane was delayed instead of us. This time maybe we won't be as lucky. And while I really don't wish to let my boss know that I missed my flight at least I'll have an overnight to spend in Paris...

W9London

Despite my previous postings, I really don't think CDG is that horrendous. Maybe it's more accurate to call it not-so-user-friendly (esp for first-time users).
There are enough maps and signs if you look around, but the circular formation(?) of the terminals can be a bit disorienting when you arrive jet-lagged. Transfer between terminals/gates is not that bad if you can avoid the shuttles (me--I walk within terminal 2ABCDs).
Passport queues for non-EU citizens are also not specific to CDG--LHR has the same, if not worse problem.
As for access to downtown, it sure beats Malpensa or Gatwick in my view.
As for close connections, it is an issue with AF (or whatever airlines), not with CDG.
The only areas they can improve are: English website, shuttle bus, better queing for passport control, ticket machines that accept non-french cards at RER station, and better food. I'm neutral on that weird/space-y background sounds, rather like that "beam me up Scotty" sloped moving walkway at departure.

ImitationOfChrist

It could be worse. You could be flying into Beruit Airport.

Hagan

In a word, YES.

musiclover

I had very bad experience with CDG last summer. 20-30 passengers including myself 'lost' our baggages (Air France). And there were many more from other planes. I spent a couple of hundreds extra to stay in a hotel (I was going to Metz by train), and treated my friends who waited 4 hours at CDG with me, and took a taxi to CDG again the next morning to search my suitcases...nobody there would want to be responsible for our cost. They gave me a bag of toothbrushes, towels, etc. that was it! But, I felt luckier than many others who need catch other flights and ended up screaming and crying... Anyway, I wouldn't want to take the risk if I were you. Or, you may bring all your baggages with you on the plane and run for your next flight..

musiclover

By the way, I heard that losing baggages happened very often from the flights coming from the states (at least last summer). I was taking Air France from Phily to CDG in July.

bardo1

Marcia,

How flexible are your dates? There are no non-stops between Boston and Rome.

HOWEVER...
You can fly non-stop between JFK and Naples if you depart and return on a Mon, Wed, or Fri.

RT non-stop price isn't too bad either: $868 in Oct or $668 in Nov includes all taxes fees.

http://www.euroflyusa.com/

MarciaMarciaMarcia

We are flexible with our dates. I've been playing with Thursday 4/12 to 4/14 for departure and 4/21 to 4/23 for return.
Another aspect of our flexibility is that we can always fly into Rome, see Rome first, then go to the Amalfi Coast and fly out of Naples, rather than the reverse. I don't think it's worth the risk to have that one hour connection at CDG. There are just too many other, safer options available. Now it's just a matter of finding the right fit. It is time consuming and mind boggling, but I am learning a lot as I go and the help offered here is invaluable. I'm glad I started now!

bardo1

Eurofly won't work then - they only operate mid May through mid November. Too bad, an open-jaw with non-stops both ways would've been sweet.

Best of luck.

beaupeep

There is a non-stop between Boston and Rome because I am taking it next month when I come back home to visit my family in the Boston area. It's Alitalia and I took it last September too.

As for CDG, I've never had a problem but I always give myself at least 2 hours between flights because it is a big airport and for all the reasons listed already, you just need that extra time.

My hell airport is Heathrow. I have never had anything go smoothly when I change there.

Rd

Yes the horror stories are true we missed a connecting flight at CDG in May 2006 due to chaos and a colleague of mine had the same experience two weeks later. We will avoid CDG if we can in the future!!

herself

All depends on how fast you can run and how fast you can get off the plane that lands you at CDG.

GSteed

Amazing! Proposed trip is 2007 April. 3M should be able to find and buy traveller friendly tickets by then. There will be many cancellations, changes, new routes and even bankruptcies by then. How about a flight to Dublin and then Ryanair to Rome and the train to Naples?

GSteed

CDG is a busy airport. The airport doesn't create traveller problems. Airlines and the weather do. I have been met with a car and driver holding a card with my name. He was to get me to my next gate. AF service!

Luisah

In a nutshell:

"CDG is a busy airport. The airport doesn't create traveller problems. Airlines and the weather do."

All international airports are large and busy. It's allowing enough time to make your connections that is essential.

smueller

CDG is one of the most dysfunctional, disorganized and confusing among major European airports. Whether a one-hour connection is sufficient will depend more on luck than anything else (flight on time, connecting gate nearby, etc.). Don't bother asking airport or airline personnel anything, because they are poorly trained and poorly informed. Your fellow travelers may be the best source of assistance.

Girlspytravel

As to the issue of connections-Ive had FAR more problems with short connections at Frankfurt Airport, and even Schiphol, than I've ever had at CDG-and that's over more than a 20 year span.

CDG is without question, no worse, and in some ways better, than the other major airports in Europe in terms of getting to the gates, and through security-CLEARLY superior to Frankfurt, re security lines.

scatcat

I think two years ago I was lost for days in CDG, but last September-no problem. I will fly into CDG but not depart from there.

Rd

We booked Air France from Johannesburg to Paris and the a connecting flight to Lisbon. I queried the 50mins allowed between the two and was told by Air France officials that 50mins was more than enough time. Ha Ha we couldn't get though immigration in that time even though the arrivals and departure terminals were pretty close together. Once we eventually got our passports stamped my wife and I broke the 400m record but alas all we saw was our Lisbon flight taxiing along the runway. The weird thing is that we were told that we would not go through immigration as we were merely in transit! I think the Air France agents who pass on this info need to visit the airport themselves occasionlly.

marigross

The only flight I have missed in my life was at CDG but it was NOT due to the airport. It was 50% Air France and 50% my secretary's fault.

I had an electronic ticket and AF wanted a paper ticket...I was not allowed to board...luggage was lost...etc. Turned out the secretary had the paper ticket but had dismissed it. I did not blame her (well, almost) after all...who has seen a paper ticket in the last ten years!

The language barrier in CDG was a bit of a challenge getting the issue resolved. Again, this is not related to the airport itself but to my inability to speak French.