My husband and I have a flight from Nice to CDG-Paris and then have a 1 hour and 20 minute connection time before heading back to the US. Our original flight time from Nice got changed on us giving us a shorter connection time. I would never typically consider this if we had to go through passport control, but because we're flying within the country, this won't be a factor. Has anyone had this scenario and do you think we have enough time? Again, I know the nightmares of connections that people speak of at CDG but they all seem to be having to go through customs before they can make their connection to another country and that's not our scenario. I'd love your input! Thanks.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
You will have to go thru exit Immigration when you depart thru CDG. This is to stamp your passport (whether an actual stamp or an electronic reading that you are leaving) that you are leaving the Schengen zone.
Is this all on one ticket? Are there other flights departing CDG to your destination after the one you are booked on?
Posted by
the Middle Coast
292 posts
I've flown to and through CDG on many a trip, and connecting there is often, in fact, a hot mess. On the plus side, that does not necessarily mean your connection is too short - I've had similar connections with CDG challenges that I still made.
I'd reiterate the previous comment about whether you have one ticket or two separate ones. If it's two separate reservations, that's more of a challenge. The other consideration would be your terminals - for example, I've had tighter connections when I had to fly through 2G, which is a satellite terminal requiring the use of a shuttle bus. I'd check on a site like FlightAware to see where your flights arrive and depart in order to get a better sense of the connection (and to feel prepared to make it once you're there).
If you find yourself there, waiting in a line for reasons unclear while the clock is ticking, there are usually airport employees in orange uniforms wandering around doing crowd control. Be proactive and keep showing them your ticket - they can and do let people whose connection is close skip ahead. That being said, their interpretation of what constitutes an emergency will be different from yours - I've seen loads of people turned down (and been turned down myself!).
Posted by
OP
30 posts
Thanks for the info. Yes, it's all on one ticket. I was only able to confirm that our flight from Nice to CDG will be in "Terminal 2"...but further specifics won't be determined until two days prior to the flight (or so I was told from Air France). Our outgoing flight home is in 2E. From all I've read, Terminal 2 is a beast and way bigger than it looks. I'm having flashbacks of a terrible, sweaty run through Heathrow where I almost missed a flight a few years ago :-)
From what I've read about the "Schengen Zone" we will have to get our passport stamped to leave France? Is that correct???
There are other flights later in the day but with connections. I supposed we'll take our chances at this point.
Thanks again for the help!
Posted by
the Middle Coast
292 posts
If you're on the same ticket, that makes me think you're probably on Air France from Nice to CDG? While things can change, FlightAware shows many of those flights arriving at 2F - you could check previous arrivals of your specific flight to verify. That's a good scenario, because 2E and 2F are very close. There's never any guarantee, but if I were you, I wouldn't necessarily panic. If things are smooth, that connection time will be fine. If things are backed up, you will want to stay aware of the time and speak up when you can, but it's not an impossible connection even then.