I have a long layover at CDG (8 1/2) hours between a flight from San Francisco and Budapest. I would imagine this would leave plenty of time to have lunch in central Paris and make it back on time for my flight to Budapest. I arrive at CDG at 11:00 am, flight departs to Budapest at 7:25 pm. Jet lag is typically not a big issue for me.
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
Not "plenty" of time, but certainly enough time for lunch somewhere along the RER B line from the airport. You could have a lunch and a quick walk in the area between Luxembourg gardens and the Seine, for example.
If you land at 11 am, you have a good chance of making it out of the airport by 12-12:30, and be in central Paris by RER at about 1-1:30.
Then, for a flight to Budapest that I cannot miss (it would ruin an expensive connecting itinerary), I would want to be back on the RER at 4. 4:30 if you're feeling confident.
If, for some reason, you are not out of the airport by 1:00, I would reconsider the plan.
Posted by
Paris
10190 posts
You’ll need to have lunch at a brasserie or somewhere that stays open all afternoon (“service continu”), as you will probably arrive in Paris just a bit too late for lunch hour at restaurants that open only for lunch.
For a classic, you could simply come up above ground at Gare du Nord, where the RER B stops, and go across the street to the classic brasserie Terminus Nord. It’s a huge spot with typical French brasserie menu and decoration and you should be able to find a spot no matter what time you arrive.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco
7 posts
Thank you for the advice!