I will be flying out of CDG next month on Delta at Terminal 2E. Does anyone know if Delta has a self service bag drop there? I've heard about horrific lines to check bags at CDG and am trying to decide if I want to attempt it or ship items back home via post.
Thanks!
Ship the items instead via post that way you don't have to worry about it at the airport if the rules change slowing down the checkin process for security purposes.
It will be extraordinarily expensive to ship your luggage home via post.
Yes they make you print your own luggage tag, but you still have to get in line to check your bag (and yes the lines can be long).
You have a choice basically, which do you prefer to spend — money or time ? (Not that going to La Poste to ship your bag will not be time-consuming anyway!!).
How much luggage do you have? Eelway in Paris offers baggage shipping (they pickup at your lodging, handle shipping to your home worldwide). Uses major shipping services like DHL, insured. I know a forum member who used them last summer and was very pleased.
They provide free quotes, so you can decide if it’s worth it to skip the baggage line at CDG. (Of course if you are flying business class or have AF/Delta frequent flyer status, the check in may be much shorter.)
I've flown out of CDG on Delta a number of times including twice last year. I always check my carry on bag and have not encountered any long lines. My flight to SLC generally leaves about 10-1030 and I do get there 3 hours ahead. I had perhaps a 15 minute wait on my last trip in October - I'd gotten there very early and there were only 2 people on the baggage drop desks. The people they were waiting on seemed to have complex issues (lots of bags, weird sized like golf clubs or something, kiddos - well they weren't actually checking the kids!). I realized it was about 6:50 AM and wondered if others would come on shift at 7 and at that moment 3 others walked up to desks and started processing people. I can't remember any other times where I waited more than about that amount of time but I am usually there around 7A.
To me the worst part is the traffic outside the terminal that the taxi has to thread thru!
I don't know if they have a self-service drop - they still have to ask you the security questions (Did you pack your bag yourself, etc, etc).
Thank you all for your replies.
I would have one checked bag, which could go as a carry-on but I'm hoping to stock up on some Nuxe skincare, which would be over the liquid limit for a carry-on.
My flight is scheduled to depart at 9:10 AM and I'm planning to be at CDG by 6 so it sounds like I should be okay checking the bag. Would definitely save me money and the time not to have to go to the post office.
"I'm hoping to stock up on some Nuxe skincare, which would be over the liquid limit for a carry-on."
Sounds like a good reason to check, lol! I could have kicked myself because I saw some really neat Nuxe gift packages at a pharmacy when I stopped in to buy a toothbrush in October. I meant to go back and pick them up for Christmas presents but I completely forgot until I was on my way home. SHOULD have just bought them at the time....lesson learned.
BTW, there are a number of places to get breakfast once you are thru exit immigration and security and into 2E. I saw a lady in line ahead of me at EXKI order some kind of hot drink with a stem of fresh mint leaves in it. It smelled SO wonderful - I just pointed at it when I got to the order taker (who laughed and nodded her head). It was jasmine tea with mint and a wonderful way to hydrate before a long trip!
It is an intrinsic part of today's anti-terrorism security to associate each bag with a screened and interviewed human. Your quest is in vain, especially internationally.
Pam, thank you for the tip on getting breakfast. I've read there are quite a few places before security but wasn't sure about afterward. I think I saw Paul on a map but can't remember anything else.
I definitely try to get my Nuxe any time I'm in London or Paris. Still so disappointed they no longer sell/ship to the US!
Hi Tim,
Seems like I will definitely have to carry my bag to a desk agent. Hopefully I won't encounter terrible lines at 6 am on a Saturday!
I do not use Delta but have flown on AF many times. If you can check-in on line, you should be able to obtain baggage tags at one of the kiosks, then simply drop off your luggage at the counter so specified. Where I have had trouble is when I have not been able to check-in in advance and have been required to stop by at the check in desk where lines can be very long.
Hopefully you can just leave your luggage at the desk dedicated to those already checked-in and be on your way.
Here's a link to a map of 2E. The post-security Paul is located downstairs if you are departing the K gates (L and M require a short train ride). There is a big Paul on the far right before you go thru security but I'd really go thru and get something on the other side. The last few times I've been thru passport and security very quickly but you can never tell how long it's going to be.
http://easycdg.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Plan-terminal-2E-CDG-Roissy.pdf
This also shows the Delta "desk" being #103. As far as I know that is Priority check in which I don't have. I have done the most recent check-ins and bag drops at 109 but there are plenty of helpful folks to point you on your way.
We flew out of CDG 2E on Delta last November. Our flight was around 1 pm and we arrived around 10:30 (delayed by big traffic accident). Checking luggage was easy. We had checked in online. Biggest challenge was finding the right check in line (there are several for Delta). Then we printed our tags and got in line. Only two people ahead of us. You scan your boarding pass and luggage tag, then set the luggage on the conveyor belt and it is automatically weighed and whisked away. Took less than 5 minutes. There were a few employees to help if people had problems, but the process is very automated. You should have no problem since you plan to arrive at least 3 hrs prior to departure.
