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How long from plane to customs to hotel in Paris?

I realize this question varies on conditions that no one can control so feel free to laugh out loud at the question. I know that from CDG Airport to parts of Paris that I am looking at is about 1 hour by Taxi/Uber during the day.

We land at 1pm. Has anyone traveled to Paris recently and can share how long it took to deplane and get through customs?

The Louvre closes at 6pm on Monday. I was wondering if there is any chance of seeing the Louvre on Monday from 4-6pm? I know that isn't a long time but I have two teenagers and 2 hours might be all they can handle.

Posted by
13809 posts

Will you be coming from the US and having to go thru Immigration? It depends on how many planes land at the same time, how many Border Control officers are on duty and what the traffic is like on your particular day. I generally assume about 3 hours from when the plane doors open to stepping out of the taxi at my hotel but the last 2 times I was just about 1.5 hours. I had 2 instances of extremely short waits at Immigration- about 10 minutes instead of an hour or more.

I’d not try to tackle the Louvre on an arrival day even if you have the time. I’d do something outdoors so your faces can be in sunlight to help with jet lag.

And yes, you’ll take a taxi from the official taxi rank. No Uber.

Posted by
23178 posts

Personally think it is foolish to plan anything on the arrival day other than a walking tour outside in the sun light. Diving into a darken museum is not a good plan for dealing with jet lag.

Posted by
1118 posts

Good info so far. The short answer is it is unpredictable. I usually get into the city within an hour and a half, but YMMV.

We land at 1pm.

At least you hope so. Keep in mind that the actual arrival time of you aircraft is a variable too.

Posted by
7981 posts

FWIW -- the museum closes at 6 but they start rolling it up at 5:30 -- this means people will be swept out of the galleries starting at 5:30 and everyone will be on the street by 6.

we are usually in the city between 2 and 3 hours of landing. I'd probably not try to do the Louvre, but if you do, just be aware you won't get two hours if you arrive at 4 -- but if you get there by 3:30 you will.

Currently people are expected to have timed tickets for the Louvre.

Posted by
9404 posts

You don’t say if you’re checking bags, that could add another hour.

Just getting off the plane, if you’re in coach, can take 45 or so min.

So, let’s say you’re in coach, checking bags, and your plane arrives on time, it could easily be 5pm when you get to central Paris.

Posted by
11037 posts

You indicate your kids are not keen on museums. Is ( presumably) an overnight flight, and jetlag followed by a mad dash to a museum really the recipe to engender in them an appreciation for museums and art.

And when will you eat? I would not want to take hungry kids anywhere.

Posted by
6794 posts

Jet lag or no jet lag, attempting the Louvre with a relatively late arrival time is a waste of money, in my opinion. Best case scenario is that you get to the hotel at 3.30 pm, but by the time you have checked in, dropped your luggage at the hotel, made your way to the Louvre, it will be 4.30. Leaving you with just one hour.

Posted by
52 posts

Get outside your first day. It will help with jet-lag. The fastest in 18 trips that we have ever gotten from deplaning at CDG to our hotel is 2 hours. Usually it is closer to three because we stay in the center of the city. In December 2019 it was...four due to the transit strike. We just managed to grab one of the two taxis in queue after our driver service cancelled on us! Traffic from CDG to Paris gets worse every year and once in the city...yikes.

Posted by
1443 posts

2-3 hours depending on how many other international flights arrive with yours.

Posted by
4256 posts

I think you will be too tired to enjoy the Louvre on your arrival day.