Tips for flying out of Paris DeGaulle?
Jun 27th, 2009, 10:58 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tips for flying out of Paris DeGaulle?
It's always a nightmare for me and so I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. I know I have to wait until 2 hours before the flight time to check in. I usually fly American Airlines. Maybe its just me but this airport always confuses me.
Jun 27th, 2009, 11:40 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi AmyLynne -
Yes, you do want to allow at least 2 hrs. to check in and clear security. I agree, the set-up at CDG is crazy. It's like a maze. The snack cafe and bathrooms are on one level, and then depending where your gate is, you have to go around and down a flight of stairs.
Yes, you do want to allow at least 2 hrs. to check in and clear security. I agree, the set-up at CDG is crazy. It's like a maze. The snack cafe and bathrooms are on one level, and then depending where your gate is, you have to go around and down a flight of stairs.
Jun 27th, 2009, 11:46 AM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
don't go into security unless you are willing to be totally contained without restaurants or shops. Go through security at the last possible time. We were stuck 3 hours within the security section with all the great tuff in accessible....
Jun 27th, 2009, 02:57 PM
#6
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 26,710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last summer I flew Vueling from CDG to Santiago de Compostela. There were no signs any where. It was downstairs and then the walk to the gate was equally confusing. Once at the gate it took one hour to get through security for a relatively small plane.
There were thousands of people on lines for international flights creating severe congestion in the terminal. For a industrialized world capital, it was pitiful.
Ten years ago we took one of the first American Airlines flights when they switched from Orly to CDG. That was a disaster as well.
There were thousands of people on lines for international flights creating severe congestion in the terminal. For a industrialized world capital, it was pitiful.
Ten years ago we took one of the first American Airlines flights when they switched from Orly to CDG. That was a disaster as well.
Jun 28th, 2009, 11:54 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I have to wait until 2 hours before the flight time to check in"
- are you saying you cannot check in any sooner than 2 hours before? AA doesn't allow online checkin within 24 hours, like Continental does?
- are you saying you cannot check in any sooner than 2 hours before? AA doesn't allow online checkin within 24 hours, like Continental does?
Jun 28th, 2009, 01:14 PM
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I have to wait until 2 hours before the flight time to check in"
No you don't. AA itself recommends you be at the airport 3 hours before your flight to check in.
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...rivalTimes.jsp
No you don't. AA itself recommends you be at the airport 3 hours before your flight to check in.
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...rivalTimes.jsp
Jun 28th, 2009, 01:48 PM
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>If you take an airline that flies out of CDG 2E or 2F the world suddenly becomes wonderful again.</i>
I agree on 2E, which is a very comfortable terminal (though I'm not overly crazy about the annex). However, I don't find 2F any great shakes. It is ok, but nothing special.
All in all, though, I don't think any of the T2 piers are that bad. As others have noted, just wait until the last minute to go through security (except at 2E). It isn't the best airport, but it isn't that bad. Terminal 1, though, is another beast and basically stinks.
I agree on 2E, which is a very comfortable terminal (though I'm not overly crazy about the annex). However, I don't find 2F any great shakes. It is ok, but nothing special.
All in all, though, I don't think any of the T2 piers are that bad. As others have noted, just wait until the last minute to go through security (except at 2E). It isn't the best airport, but it isn't that bad. Terminal 1, though, is another beast and basically stinks.
Jun 28th, 2009, 07:31 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If they'd just not single me out for "extra" security inspections I could deal with CDG. Last month I made it through security fine, but at the gate I was selected for a "spot check". They even opened my box of macarons and inspected those. It was a more thorough check than at security.
Jul 19th, 2009, 06:48 AM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have used T2A several times, and I recall there is a cafeteria-type place and some shops in that waiting area. Which 'hall' is it that you cannot obtain any coffee, snacks etc. after going thru security?
Aug 6th, 2009, 07:08 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Followup - we are departing from 2E this fall... so, are there places to get coffee & breakfast items -after- security at 2E or not..? The ADP floorplan implies there is a shopping area after security so am I misreading the map or what? (I keep seeing posts about no food options after security at CDG, but it's never clear which terminal or hall they're talking about). Here's the floorplan:
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/R...GPversoV23.pdf
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/R...GPversoV23.pdf
Aug 6th, 2009, 11:37 PM
#16
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't say no problem at 2E. Yes, there are places to get a coffee and a pastry (which isn't as true at the older T2 piers, but there isn't that wide an array of options. Don't expect anything like some of the food court options you see at other airports.
The shopping at 2E tends very much toward indulgences, as opposed to travel necessities.
The shopping at 2E tends very much toward indulgences, as opposed to travel necessities.
Aug 7th, 2009, 02:21 PM
#20
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course, when you go through Terminal 1, you can then tell all your friends that you've been in an Alan Parsons Project album cover (I Robot).
Other than that, it's outdated and needs to be replaced.
Other than that, it's outdated and needs to be replaced.
