CDG Connecting flight - what is the customs/immigration process?

This is a common question here on the forum.

Here are a few recent discussions:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/how-to-transfer-from-terminal-2e-to-2f-at-cdg-in-an-hour

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/report-how-long-it-took-me-to-change-planes-at-cdg-on-a-monday-morning-in-april

Thanks a lot Valerie

I am assuming you are not putting this connection together yourself but have bought connecting tickets. You will not have to go through customs but will have passport control. Are you changing terminals? Follow the connection (corrrespondance) signs. Odds are you will be transferring from 2E to 2F. Look at https://easycdg.com/passenger-information/connecting-flight-connections-paris-cdg-airport/transfer-terminal-2e/terminal-2e-to-terminal-2f/ for directions for that connection.

We just came into Paris a couple of days ago and immigration was really jammed up -- hundreds in line BUT there was a separate path for those making correspondence. We didn't see what the process was like as that line went down a different hall to a different location but I assume it was expedited. Literally hundreds were lined up for immigration but only a handful were heading for the correspondence area.

To Janet's point, since you are in transit, there will be a separate line or immigration for those passengers. The point is to keep you in the secure zone. For that, 90 minutes should be fine. Look for signs indicating "connecting flights", "transit passengers", or similar. I am not familiar with all airlines at CDG and the various terminals, but you should be able to stay in the secure zone. (I usually fly Delta/Air France, so connections are fairly easy)

Carry on is only an advantage if you booked the tickets separately, otherwise your bags would be checked through to Venice. Worst case is if you booked two separate tickets and checked bags. That would require you to use the immigration for final destination, pick up your checked bags outside the secure zone, go find a desk to check-in and check your bags for your new flight, then back through security. That would require more than 90 minutes, and with all those chances for delay, could take 3-4 hours including any potential minimum check-in time before flight requirements.

Thank you to all of you for this very helpful information.

JHK - you are correct - I have a connecting ticket and I believe I will be transferring from 2E to 2F. Thank you very much for the link showing how to get from 2E to 2F. Also - thank you for pointing out that "corrrespondance" means connection. I did not know that.

Thanks Janet - that information is helpful

Thanks Paul - I am also flying Delta/Air France - so good to know that you've had easy connections in the past

Your responses have definitely helped reduce the stress I've been feeling about this connection.
Thanks again,
Vince

I just did a 2E to 2F transfer on Delta/AF a week ago today. My flight landed at M gate so we had to deplane via stairs onto the tarmac. There are shuttle buses waiting if this is where your plane parks.

I was in Economy Comfort seated at the front. It was 15 minutes before I was out on the top step. From there it was 1h5m of steady walking (not running) to get to my gate.

Keep watching for the 2F signs instead of the Correspondence signs. The biggest traffic jam was as The bus unloaded there was a big crowd trying to go thru Immigration for exiting in Paris. Stay to the right then as soon as you pass the door for that you’ll see the sign for the corridor to go to 2F which will be on the left.

The security to enter 2F was very quick and efficient. As you come up thru the line, make sure you’ve got your pockets empty, belt and jacket off, water bottle empty. Shoes stay on. 3-1-1 liquids bag comes out as do electronics bigger than a phone (tablet/Kindle/laptop). The security guy in my lane had ziplock bags in his hand and was making people use them if their liquids were in something other than your standard ziplock.

Passport control after security was very quick and easy. I was directed to the egates where the attendant took my passport and said “let me put this in for you, the machine is touchy.” Zip.Zap. Mask down. Passport stamped and I was on my way.

I made 1 quick comfort stop.

My particular AF flight to Milan started boarding 9 minutes early. I am guessing the only reason we didn’t take off early was they had an assigned time slot.

I found the process fairly easy, it’s just a longish was from 2E to 2F! I’d transit thru CDG again BUT I’d want a minimum of 2 hours for comfort. You can do it in 90 minutes, you just need to be ready to move and not stop until you get through passport control and up the escalator to the gate area.

Pam - thank you very much. I appreciate your detailed response!
Vince

Just a heads up. I have done this transfer before and don't be surprised that when you get to your gate that you see another flight listed at or around the same time as your departure. When I walked down the ramp my plane was to the right and another plane leaving for Greece or Croatia was to the left. And you may have to re-scan your carry-on when entering from 2E to 2F. This has happened as well.

Enjoy.

Thanks Brushtrim - glad you mentioned that - I'd have been very concerned if I saw a different flight at my gate.