I am traveling to Bangkok and I have a nearly ten-hours layover between flights. I've been stuck at Charles de Gaulle airport for a few hours in the past and I found little to do. I'll arrive at terminal F and leave from terminal C. Is there anything to do at the airport that I have missed? Would it be practical to leave the airport for a few hours and go into Paris or some other nearby area? Would I be hassled upon my return? How much time should I take? Thank you in advance for your responses.

You could easily take the RER into Paris and enjoy yourself for at least half a day--enough time to walk around, have a good lunch (or dinner), and get back to CDG with sufficient time before your flight. The problem may be what to do with your luggage.

Hi AA,

If your luggage is checked through, I agree that you can have a nice 1/2 day in Paris.

You could take the RER B line to St Michel. This puts you on the Ile de la Cite, next to Notre Dame.

I don't usually advise leaving the airport but 10 hours is a long time! Ask the airlines about having your luggage checked thru to Bangkok (or if necessary could you do this yourself immediatly upon arrival?).

Even being on the cautious side (i.e. 4 hours at airport & 6 hours for transportation in to town and a meal) sounds reasonable to me.

Another idea would be to spring for a hotel room at the airport and get some rest.

Thank you for your responses. I never considered getting a hotel. That sounds like a very good idea.