My flight to Chicago in April leaves at 2:45pm. Mark Harris (PariShuttle) says they will pick me up in the 6th at 11:45. I thought you had to be at the airport 3 hours early, or am I just over-cautious?

Came out of Paris last March. The line to get thru security was at least 3blocks long and only one screening area was open. I was in line two hours and this was before 9/11. If more had been open it would have gone faster.

I wonder if it matters if someone is going on an international flight or an intra-European one? Do airlines keep more staff on hand when flights depart regularly throughout the day (for example, to London from Paris)than when there is only one or two flights per day (eg. Paris to New York or whatever.I ask because recommended arrival times are always shorter for 'domestic' or 'intra-Europe' flights than international ones.

Sue, the only problem I can see is if the shuttle spends a lot of time picking up others after you. I've been to Paris twice since Sept 11 and it did not take two hours for check in. I spent plenty of time in the shops waiting to depart.

I think the rules in Paris are about 2 hrs, not 3, and always have been--the same as it used to be in the US (I think, can't swear). They are more efficient about security there than in the US. However, I have had very long waits at CDG in line to check baggage on Air France (and they have limited carryon rules), and always try to get there 3 hrs ahead myself. I don't usually have tons of time left over, maybe a little. If you are last in pickup and it's not a heavy traffic time, I guess you'll get there about 12:30, which might be ok. I wouldn't want to risk it myself, but I always build in extra time as I really don't want to miss my flight. I would request an earlier pickup myself.

Thanks, Christina. You and I think alike, and I hate to be rushed and panicky at departure time. Think I will up the pickup time. I've never been on a flight where the line wasn't miles long 2 hours before.

I'm sorry--Thanks, too, Barbara, Jane and Peg for your input. It looks like the vote is 2-1 for more time, and I think I'll err on the side of safety.

Just got back from Paris this past weekend. If you can get confused by signs in a foreign language and may not understand directions fully, take the 3 hours. The line for check in was long, then the line for security was long. I unfortunately got on another line because I thought that was what I was told to do. However, I had plenty of time before my flight so I was not panicking. Others who arrived for my flight after I did were quite resentful of the long lines as they felt pressured on the lines having given themselves 2 hours. Don't end your wonderful Paris trip with a bad experience at the airport. Bon Voyage.

Sue,<BR>I'd definitely request an earlier pick up, based on our experience. We used their services to and fro CDG last March 31. They set our pick up time later than we thought they should, but we agreed, thinking they knew best. We stopped for only 1 hotel pickup along the way (we came from the 7th) but arrived at CDG with a bit under 2 hrs. to check luggage and pass through customs (and the VAT refund lines were 2 hrs. long-didn't even attempt it). When we arrived at the counter, TWA had already bumped 40+ passengers from our flight. Luckily we didn't have to return to work the next day and agreed to take the compensation (4 star airport lodging, meals, transfers back into Paris, flight out the next day to STL and 2 free round trip tickets we're using this month-not a bad thing, as it turned out!). <BR>Lesson learned: on our upcoming trip we've asked PariShuttle to pick us up much earlier, as we can't allow ourselves to be bumped this year.

Thanks, Beverly and Maribel. I get confused just by breathing. Would you believe the last time I left CDG somehow I ended up on the arrival floor, not once, but twice and had to go back through security twice. (I have no idea how it happened, but I went up the wrong escalator.) Talk about panicking! And it's not like I haven't been there before. Thanks to all for helpful and much needed advice (and moral support).

I'm thinking of using Paris Shuttle for our trip this weekend. Has everyone been happy with them?

Judi ,<BR><BR>I used Parishuttle last week and had absolutely no problems at all with them.I arranged the trip directly with Mark who i knew from his days at Airport Shuttle.Service was indeed excellent .We allowed ourselves an hour and fifteen minutes from rue de cler in the 7th to get to the airport which seemed just about right as the traffic was heavy in the morning.Better to be early than late I always find.<BR>I contacted Mark on 0143909191 he also had an e mail address [email protected] , best of luck!<BR>

On New year's day 2002 we arrived at CDG 2 hours in advance. It wasn't enough time. Due to extremely long lines we missed our flight. They close check-in one hour before the flight there at CDG. When asked why they said that it was at the request of the United States that they do that. Maybe it was the holiday crowds. If it were me I would get there 3 hours in advance.

international flight check in is now 3 hours at CDG so there !

I will not give advice or suggestions, I will only tell you of my experience returning yesterday.<BR><BR>My flight was scheduled to depart at 10:50 AM. I booked a shuttle for a party of 2 to the airport. The shuttle cost was 25.00 Euro for both of us (booked thru the hotel). Our shuttle arrived at our hotel in the 5th arr. at exactly 7:50 AM as scheduled. The shuttle had made 1 stop prior to picking us up and made 2 additional stops after picking us up. We arrived at the airport at about 8:45 AM. It took us about 45 minutes to get checked in and pass security and we sat around drinking coffee for about an hour before the boarding of the plane began.<BR><BR>I do not know if these times are typical, but that is what it was for me yesterday. Enjoy your trip and eat a crepe!

You are a very wise traveller to anticipate a potential problem. We are very familiar with CDG and we still allot a great deal of time to board, our practice even before 9/11. I'd say we're "on time" people, not "early bird" people, so our building in more time on Paris departure day isn't a matter of a travel obsession for us. Quite simply, CDG can take much longer than one would think.<BR><BR>As some of the previous posters have indicated, the individual airline check-in areas can have huge lines, the security check-in can be having a slow day, and one time it was a passport check area that held everyone up. Once we were able to lounge around for an hour or so; most of the time that has not been the case.

We were in Paris in February and flew from CDG to Heathrow. We arrived at the airport 2 hours early and had no problem checking in and getting through security. British Air was very quick, no lines! Our flight was about 10:00 a.m. (not sure exactly). Bottom line was that we sat around for about an hour and a half drinking coffee and ready the paper.

Absolutely 3 hours before departure. Even before the current security situation, I got there at least 2 1/2 hours early. Long check in lines, extra scrutiny/questions by personnel, slow/clogged screening machines, understaffing...you name it, it can go wrong. I'd rather spend two hours drinking coffee, wandering thru duty free and reading a mystery novel than spend $150 for a hotel and $800 for a new ticket because I missed the airline's only flight out of CDG that day.<BR><BR>I have also found Murphy's Laws to be fully enforced: the more time you have, the less will go wrong. The less time you have, the more will go wrong (broken lock on luggage, dropped & spilled purse contents, missing passport, blocked stairwells and only one 3x5 elevator working, bad hair, etc.).

We just returned via CDG on Delta. There were no crowds--anywhere. It took maybe 30 minutes max. to get to the gate. Forget the shuttle buses--our cab ride from the 8th arr. was under 30 euros, with luggage charge. It was a mid morning, weekday flight.

Well, Jim, I'd say the drive from the 6th to the airport is no more than 40 minutes, but I recall all too clearly the day it took 1 1/2 hours. No, the driver was not trying to cheat us--traffic was just a disaster in all directions.<BR><BR>The only saving grace that day was the USAir line was miniscule. Emphasis: that day.<BR><BR>