LowCountryIslander

Looking for your opinion....

I'm planning a trip to Turkey in September 2007. I have been checking airfares and flight schedules and it seems from where I am departing (Southeast US) the best routes are either via Paris (CDG) or Frankfurt (FRA).

I have read here plenty of warnings about both of these airports and plan to make sure I have plenty of time for my connection to Istanbul...I tend to prefer to have more time between flights then less! I have been at both these airports but that was 20 years ago.

My question to you is: if you had to choose between connecting in CDG or FRA which would you choose and why? I would probably have between 3 and 4 hours in either airport.

Thanks for your help!

OReilly

FRA every time - I really like the airport. Just remember that there may be an additional security check AFTER you have entered the boarding area and before you get to your gate (ask at check-in). Leave enough time to get to your departure gate, at least 15 mins before the stated boarding time.

CDG: one of my least favorites for transit. I usually only consider it as a transition point if my connection is within France.

rkkwan

Avoid CDG if possible.

Grcxx3

FRA is not my favorite - but it beats CDG anyday!

flybob

FRA no contest. CDG has a habit of loosing bags and then rude staff who are of no help, At least should you be very unfortunate to loose a bag at FRA the german efficiency will be realised. I was with LH via FRA and left my reading glasses on the first plane I realised this and mentioned it to the transfer desk and they asked for my seat number etc, When i boarded the next plane the FA came to me addressed me by my name and said " we are pleased to have found your glasses" I cant see that happening at CDG - OR maybe i am anti CDG having lost 3 cases there in the last 20 years

Tim_and_Liz

We haven't been to FRA but cannot imagine it is worse than CDG!! I would choose FRA.

Underhill

Frankfurt doesn't seem to have enough seating space near gates; so I'd opt for CDG, although it has its own problems.

Tere

I came back from Florence yesterday with a connection in Frankfurt airport. Though it's not as good as Amsterdam Schipol in anyway it's far better than CDG, for me one of the worst airports in Europe, so would pick Frankfurt anytime.

I don't agree with Underhill about the small seating space in the gates, I found there were plenty of seats and seating space and even some small tables with chairs at the gates.

Margo_Chester

Given a choice I would avoid CDG - it's a disaster

ira

Hi LCI,

One more vote for FRA, all other things being equal.

Dukey

With a full three to four hours for a connection even the reportedly "disastrous" CDG would probably be OK, especially if the cost were significantly cheaper.

LowCountryIslander

Thanks everyone for all the input...it is much appreciated!

kerouac

CDG would be my choice, because traffic to Turkey is much lighter out of CDG, so the transfer would be a lot calmer. The low cost ethnic traffic all fly out of Orly (Turkish Airlines and the charter flights), so a flight out of CDG would mean less chaos -- the CDG traffic to Turkey is practically all tourists.

Underhill

Our gate area could not accommodate everyone waiting--and then we were all asked to leave and check in again at a nearby gate. That did not endear the airport to me.