Enough time between flight and train at CDG in Paris?
 

Our AA flight is scheduled to arrive at CDG at 9:20 a.m. There is a TGV that leaves at 1:30 for Rennes. Is this enough time to collect baggage, clear customs and get to the train? I don't know exactly where the train station is at CDG. Can anyone with experience help?

DeGaulle is notoriously slow. I have run through De Gaulle more than once. That being said, two hours is enough time, so you should be all right.

The TGV station is at the east end of Terminal 2ABCD.

It should be enough unless plane is really late. You probably land at terminal 1 and then you have to take the free navette (shuttle bus) to the Gare TGV in terminal 2 (don't get off at any terminal 2 stop as this is a sprawling terminal where you could walk miles but specifically at the Gare TGV stop (this should also be on the front of the bus in the destination sign) - ask the driver in any case you want the TGV station. Bus takes about 20 mins and their is dwell time waiting for it. If you don't have tickets you could wait a long time in line at TGV station windows - i waited about 45 mins recently - few windows were open - many business types were fuming waiting in line. there are ticket machines but apparently these may not work with American credit cards - this is what Christina posts and she usually knows what she's talking about in terms of French trains - so should make it. If you have a ticket with reserved seat then that shortens the process - go to www.voyages-sncf.com, which maybe you have. when coming in by plane i always recommend you have a ticket that is good on other trains in case you're late so you only have to pay for a new reservation and not lose the ticket. You could get one thru RailEurope in US with reservation but would probably cost more but ticket would be fully changeable (contact Linda at BETS: 800-441-2387, a French train booking whizz) if you have trouble printing your own off the sncf web site, which seems to frustrate many - but usually someone on Fodors will walk you thru it.

Four hours and ten minutes is way more than enough time to make this connection, barring a ghastly delay on your incoming flight. You can even walk if you feel like stretching your legs after the flight, though the suttle bus (Navette) is also available.

US credit cards do work in the machines, but only sometimes and to date no one has been able to explain why other than some sort of temporary system outage. With your times, though, even if you had to wait in the TGV ticket line for 30 minutes you would still be fine. Just go right from arrival to get your ticket, then sit and enjoy a coffee while you wait for your train.

Well, you can always try the machines before going to the window (I usually do), but I don't think it's just some random temporary system problem as I have never been able my Am. credit carde in those machines and I have tried numerous times over the last few years.

Those machines are a little confusing anyway, even without the credit card not being accepted, I find, but I find a lot of ticket machines confusing (Amtrak, also) so maybe I am challenged in that regard.

Actually, you have enough time to go into Paris on the RER and do some sightseeing






















































<b><font color="BLUE">Gotcha!</font></b> :))

Robespierrre, you cad!! :-))

actually the TGV station is connected to terminals 2C, D , E and F. 2 A and B require a walk through C / D or a shuttle ride.

AA arrived at terminal 2 the last time I took it. I think only United arrives at 1 from the US. Four hours is more than enough time.

Stu Dudley

You will have plenty of time. You might even be able to catch an earlier train to Rennes.

Woody

IF (and that's potentially BIG IF) everything goes well.

Hi R,

I agree, you have plenty of time.

Map of the airport is at http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/en-GB/Passagers/

((I))

Thanks to all for your help and advice (well maybe not Robespierre!). I feel much more comfortable now--though I know it depends on AA being on time. I was going to buy the train tickets on line and print out, but perhaps I'd be wiser to get the insurance. Decisions!

AA arrives at terminal 2. Around 9:30 a.m. customs and immigration are in full swing -- you can be at the TGV station within 30 minutes with baggage luck. You will be bored stiff waiting.