My question is pretty much my title. We leave Paris on May 5th. The flight is on Continental out of Paris at 11:25 am. We will be staying near the Louvre in the 1st/2nd Arrondisement. How much time would you allow to get to the airport without rushing? I am concerned with morning traffic and airport security. We currently have scheduled pick-up for 8am allowing an hour to get there and 2 hours to get to the gate/on the plane. Is this enough?

(Last time to Europe was Aug/Sept 2006 when security was at its height due to the Heathrow incident so we are not afraid of long lines and waiting just unclear as to what amount of time should be allowed now.)

Thanks everyone!

I wouldn't book in that schedule, I plan to arrive at CDG about 3 hours before the flight, and that's when I arrive, not when I leave my hotel and take a private taxi. It's up to you, I know some folks always are living on the edge that way, I just don't enjoy it. I wouldn't ever arrive for any major international flight in a large city in the US or Europe only 2 hours before the flight nowadays. At least, not at the airports I've taken, maybe there are some who advise you only need to be there 2 hours in advance. I would plan that short time for an intra-European ones or from the US to Mexico or something like that.

I allow for an hour travel time when I take a taxi, although I don't think it's ever taken me that long, usually 35-45 minutes. But I've never gone on a weekday morning, actually, only Sat or Sunday. I don't know how long your shuttle may take to go around picking up other people, either, but they probably will take some take so I would personally schedule them 1.25 hours before I wanted to be at the airport. But I tend to be cautious. Combining the two things with a little leeway, I'd probably schedule a shuttle for 7 am actually for your case (figuring they might be late), at least an hour before you have. You are going from an area a bit closer than I usually do, but it's more in the center of the city which can affect traffic, also.

There isn't any way I'd schedule a shuttle to arrive at my hotel only 3 hours before my flight time from Paris to US on Continental.

Hi D,

I also would plan a pickup to get me to the CDG terminal at 08:30.

My thoughts exactly. I will change the pick-up to 7am. Mom and I are the cautious type. If you read our last trip report, you know we were the ones that arrived at JFK at 2pm for a 6pm flight. I am not the OJ type who likes to run for the plane.

Thanks guys!

I just got back from Paris week before last and left on Easter Sunday....no traffic. I had the shuttle pick me up at 8:30AM for a 12:30PM flight home. The shuttle was exactly on time, and although I had booked a shared shuttle...airline-connection.com...I ended up with a private shuttle....so no other passengers to be picked up. I'm one to leave for the airport 3.5-4 hours before a flight. I've been in all types of situations....like flat tires, car/van trouble, no-shows, RER breakdown, etc...So, I'd rather get there early than late. Then I can just relax. Happy Travels!

I would have planned for a pickup at 8am.

When we left Paris (Ile St.Louis) mid-week in October for a 1:40 flight out of CDG, the taxi picked us up at 10am. We were at the airport, bags checked, and through security by 11am! Highly unusual, I'll grant you.
Next month, we'll be returning from Paris on Dejais' 11:25am CO flight, also leaving from the 1st/2nd Louvre area. My plan is to schedule any shuttle/taxi for 7:30am. Common knowledge holds that CDG is very busy in the morning, and less so in the afternoon. EJ

Traffic in the city is light until about 8:15. Traffic going out of the city is light all morning. Traffic going into the city is in gridlock from 8am until 10am.

Kerouac...Good to know about the traffic. Thanks. I think we'll still go earlier and relax at the airport. Seven or eight, it really doesn't matter. It's still morning, we'll still be leaving Paris. Basically it will stink all the way around.

I agree, Dejais. I don't like leaving Paris and I don't like the morning flights. They interfere with a final relaxing breakfast in Paris, which somehow helps to cushion the long day of air travel ahead. Ah well, there are much weightier things to complain about in this life, aren't there? Have a wonderful trip, EJ