Delta Arrival at CDG

It´s really very straight forward.

Deplane, follow the crowd to passport control, pickup you luggage at baggage claim and walk through the Customs exit. There are numerous signs, in English, at the exit directing you to the official taxi queue. Do not accept offers from solicitors within the terminal.

Taxi prices to Paris from CDG are fixed at 55€/50€ for destinations in the Left/Right Bank respectively. Drivers are not tipped. Have your destination address written on a piece of paper to give to the driver. Include the full address particularly the arrondissement number. For example 75019 is the 19th arrondissement in Paris, 75001 is the 1st arrondissement and so on.

CDG is big, crowded and confusing to be sure, but you’ll be fine. There’s plenty of signage directing you where to go, and plenty of airport employees to point you in the right direction. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When you get off the flight, you’ll be shuttled along to passport control and when you exit you’ll be in baggage claim with transportation nearby. So, it’s kind of impossible for you to get off track. The taxi stand is also a lot easier than walking all the way to the train. Remember that 90% of the people on your flight are trying to do the same thing, you’re not on your own. One more thing, CDG just takes time to get through. Be patient and try not to stress, you’ll get to Paris eventually! Good luck!

Stacy, I did a couple of solo trips to Paris at sixty-Something. I wrote blogs while there and would be happy to share the links, so PM me, if you are interested. Since I had been to Paris before and had been to the major sights, there is not a lot of information about visiting them, but you might get some valuable info on how to get around Paris - mostly by public bus - and other logistics. Have a wonderful trip.

I always fly Delta so am familiar with the International arrival there.

As indicated follow the crowd. I DO make a comfort stop as soon as I get off the plane. Once you are in line for Immigration you can't leave to go find a toilet, and you do pass some right after you deplane. Potty, wash your face, maybe brush your teeth. Then head for Immigration along with everyone else. There is no rush to get there!

When you get to the Immigration area it's like you are headed in to a cattle chute. 6 or 7 across funneling down in to a single line. At the head of the line there is usually a monitor who will point you to a shorter line for a window.

After you pass thru, pick up your bags and head out the exit. This is where many people will be standing with name signs on boards or iPads. Thread your way thru this. If you need to catch your breath there is a small M&S store off to the left. Just step over to the front door area if you need to get out of the crowd. Look up at the ceiling and there are signs pointing you to Taxis. This will be to the right as you come out of the baggage claim doors. You'll go outside and stand in another line (moves quickly).

Between the baggage claim exit and the taxi stand is where men will ask if you want a taxi. Just move on by to the taxi line and you'll be fine. They won't touch you, just will ask Taxi?.

Have your hotel name and address typed out to hand to the driver. I usually tape it to a 3x5 card so I can find it and it's sturdy. I also try to have money ready when I get to the hotel. You will know the fare as it is a flat rate (50 or 55 Euro depending on Right or Left Bank). I hand them the money when they get my suitcase out of the trunk.

It's easier than you think it will be! Have a wonderful time!

I have given up on airport maps. I can read a street map just fine. Airports have multiple levels, tunnels, trams, etc. And I think they change the airport layout but leave the same map up. Just to mess with you. Pam has a great description. Just follow signs. I find that if I'm confused, I stand in one spot with a stupid look on my face and someone will yell at me in a foreign language. This happens in the US as well.

You don't need to be in a hurry, right? No connection or train to catch. So take a deep breath and relax. Do go to the restroom before you reach the immigration lines. You'll see them. Take your carry on luggage in the stall with you.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have no connection and I'm not in any Rush. I feel much better after reading all of this. Thank you so very much for making me fee calmer.

Stacy, I will sometimes go to Youtube and search for videos about an airport that is new to me just to get a sense of what the look of the terminals are and what signage looks like. It can be helpful to be able to visualize a little the place that you are headed to.

Stacyl, I, too, only fly Delta to Paris. In addition to all the great tips above (especially having the name & the complete address of your hotel printed), I just wanted to add that when coming out of customs, off to the left & a short walk, is an ATM that you can get euros if you are waiting until you get to Paris to stock up on currency. I have found that U.S. banks & the currency exchanges at the airports charge a much higher exchange rate than using your debit card at an ATM. Bon voyage!

Fine to take a cab into Paris but we took the RER B into Paris several years ago. MUCH cheaper. Departure is from the train station right at the airport. After you get your bags, just follow the signs.
Yes, we did have to stand in line to buy a ticket but at the same time we bought bus passes. Someone on another thread mentioned a strike but surely by the time you get there it will be over. No idea where you are staying so the RER B stops may not be convenient. We were staying on the Left Bank near St Germaine so it was about a 10-15 min walk to the nearest stop.

"Someone on another thread mentioned a strike but surely by the time you get there it will be over. "

Actually, the strike is scheduled to last until June -- two out of every five days. Of course, it may end sooner but I would not plan on that being the case for travel 3 weeks from now. The Local has an article on the strikes at https://www.thelocal.fr/20180316/french-rail-strikes-here-are-the-37-days-to-avoid-travelling-by-train.

CDG Terminal 2E has three sub-terminals - K, L and M. If you arrive at K, then it is a short walk to immigration. If you arrive at L or M, then you must take a train to get to immigration. This can be quite confusing since not everyone is getting on the train or going to immigration, some are going to their connecting flights. Many people are going to immigration, but not everyone, so be careful. My suggestion is to follow the signs to Baggage, that will get you to where you want to go.

Pfreet, Thanks for that additional info I’m glad you pointed that out.

I have not had the experience of changing planes at CDG. . I fly into CDG as the terminus. As such CDG is not confusing, not a nightmare of an airport, as I am used to the place. Basically just follow the signs, be alert to sign directions changing etc. My first time at CDG was in 1977 at 27 but I wasn't alone then.

Absolutely no need for nervousness at CDG as long as it is the terminus airport. Forget the airport maps, they confuse me too, as I'd rather get there and then look where is where. .

"What happens next?" The same as at any other airport, say London or Frankfurt coming from the US...good to Immigration, then Baggage Claim. After that I look for the ticket counter of the RER B going to Gare du Nord when I go solo.