Picking up passengers at CDG
 

Hello,
Tried searching the forums but couldn't find any info on this.

My wife and I will be in France with a rental car for 1 week before picking up her parents who are flying into CDG (arriving from the US). Is there anything unusual about picking up travelers at CDG? I'm comfortable with large airports (live in Chicago) but don't know the layout of CDG, the pickup area, etc. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!

I don't think there's anything that unusual about it. As with all large airports, there are signs from the highway directing you to the arrivals versus departues. You should know the French words for those things, of course.

You can find out which terminal is served by their airline here: http://tinyurl.com/lwcml

I suggest you meet them at the <b>Roissybus</b> stop at whichever terminal they come into. There are signs all over each terminal showing the way, so there will be no confusion.

Terminal 1: Porte 30, arrivals level

Terminal 2A-2C: Porte 9

Terminal 2B-2D: Porte 11

Terminal 2E-2F: Gare routi&egrave;re, arrivals level

Terminal 3: In front

What terminal are you coming into ? Terminal 2 has parking underground between the terminals and it is well marked. Do drive slowly when you are up next to the terminals or you can miss the parking signs. The parking entrance will be a ramp going down on your left with the terminals on your right. Just be sure to pay attention to where you park so you dont loose your car. I would wait for them where they come out of customs with their bags. I have picked up my mom serveral times. Is very easy. When you enter the parking, rather than taking a ticket, insert a credit card. Then on the way out, insert the same card at the exit gate. I will calculate the time you were there and charge accordingly. Much easier than fussing with the tickets and parking fee machines.

Terminal 1 has parking actually under the terminal building. Again very well marked.

Pretty well all European airports (including ALL the CDG terminals) have meeting points, signed by an international icon.

Like most Euro-icons, it's impossible to describe in words. But if you go to http://tinyurl.co.uk/u6rh, you'll se a plan of CDG T1 with the meeting points (points de rendezvous) shown. The key shows the sign next to the text.

From memory, at CDG the sign is accompanied by text in French and English, but I might be wrong. It's a VERY big hanging sign, though.

There is some construction going on directly outside some of the terminals (2B, for example), which might have an effect on planned meeting places. Are you also flying into CDG the week before your wife's parents arrive? If so, it would make the most sense to scope out a very specific meeting point, and then email the instructions to her parents. Someone on another forum suggested that car rental offices can be good places to meet because they're easy to find/give instructions to find.

During the busy summer period, CDG often employs young people to help travellers find their way. They might be able to help if there's a problem.

I wouldnt have them wander about the airport looking for bus stops or meeting points. Just be where they come out of the secure area. Thats where everyone meets people that they are picking up. Its really the most logical option.

Thanks to all for the replies. I believe they are coming in at Terminal 2A (American Airlines). We will probably just park and walk over to where they will come out of customs. It sounds like I will be able to find the parking (thanks MorganB). If we decide to pick them up at the Roissybus stop (Porte 9), are we able to wait in the car outside of the airport? Here in Chicago the police get you moving pretty quickly but I guess we can just drive around. Well, like I said, now that I know we have parking close by we will probably just park and wait at customs. Thanks again.