hello, 6 years ago we went on a Europe vacation that we flew into London from the United States. the process in London wasn't very nice, a big line in like a warehouse setting. was just wanting to know what to expect when arriving in Paris? and possible wait time ? thank you for your help
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10205 posts
It depends on time of day, how many other jumbo jets have landed at the same time yours has landed, how many passport control officers are on duty, on break, out to lunch. Count on a long line for passport but it will move along.
By the time you get through passport, your bags will be appearing on the luggage carousel. Next, you go through the door marked nothing-to-declare, which is customs. Unless you look suspicious, you'll breeze through customs.
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
Yes, the line at CDG for Passport Control will likely be long, very long. I always envy those with EU passports, who go scooting through the EU Passport queue. Customs is a non problem. If you have nothing to declare just walk through the "nothing to declare" exit. JFK on your return will be another matter.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3702 posts
One thing to note is that CDG has priority passport control for those arriving in business or first class and the wait is typically not long. I have heard of people receiving a pass for that line who were in economy but are Air France frequent flyers, but that could be an urban legend. As said above if you have nothing to declare, you just walk through a door at CDG.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Time of day could be a factor - we arrived there after an overnight flight (probably about 9am or so) and we were thru so fast I was surprised - less than 5 minutes...maybe you'll get lucky!
Posted by
Washington
919 posts
Think it depends on time of day/day of week as noted. I was there 2 months ago. The Delta flight from Covington gets in early--about 5:30-6:00am. It seems like the passport control line moved quickly. I don't recall waiting very long, and the officer barely glanced at me. Open. Stamp. On my way.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Rachel - same with us - we're used to answering the usual...how long are you here for blah blah questions...just got a cursory look and stamp - less than 30 sec at the window and off we went (same when we flew into Naples).
Posted by
Paris
9594 posts
Unless it was one of the days last week when the border police were making a political protest by running a "go-slow" operation -- i.e. working very slowly in order to create maximum delays for travelers (they were somehow trying to make a point to better their working conditions by putting everyone else through this . . . )