Pardon me if this has been asked and answered recently...
We're looking at options through CDG coming back to SLC from Morocco at the end of October. One of the choices with a decent price has a 20 hour layover at CDG and a direct flight to SLC. Wondering if we would be subjecting ourselves to torture by leaving and having to return to the airport, or if we should should select a pricier option that has a 3ish hour layover in CDG and another 3ish hour in ATL. Not really a lot of great choices.
Anyone have really recent experience? Thanks so much for your input.
Do you have any options other than CGD? I went through CGD about 3 years ago two times. It was a nightmare. They lacked adequate staffing for non-EU passport holders, luggage ticket self-serve machines were out of order with no notice after waiting in line a long time and the ticket counter was understaffed. Staff could not have cared less if any of us made our planes on time. Making a connection there is very dicy even if you arrive early. My son had a flight through there after I did and had similar problems. I have sworn that airport off permanently. If you do leave CGD and return, leave yourself a lot more time than you think you could possibly need.
I left from CDG last October on Delta with no issues with rude staff or not enough kiosks open so it may depend on the airline. I flew in in April and did not encounter luggage issues but did not depart from there. I’ve not connected thru there but have a transit in a couple of weeks so will see how that works. I am concerned enough that I’m doing carry on outbound.
Do you have the option to add a few nights in Paris, lol?? If not, Id go for the 3 hr/3 hr layover even though I do like that direct flight from CDG to SLC.
We fly Delta and have used Delta/Air France quite a lot. We haven't found going though CDG to be a problem.
However, I always plan at least a two hour layover to change flights. I assume that when you say 3ish hour layover, you are saying 3 hour not 31 hour.
If I could save $$$ and take the 20 hr layover option, I would do it. Unless the price difference was less than $200.
Not sure if your 20 hr layover includes a night, if so I would look for a hotel. If not, take the RER into the city and enjoy.
CDG was fine a few days ago inbound.* I'd take the RER B into the city & get some Cafe sitting in.
*except for the lost luggage woman who combined unhelpful with rude & unhappy
Thanks for your replies. Just hoping some of the long waits and staffing problems will have eased after the summer.
We did end up booking the scenario with a 20hr CDG layover because even with the cost for a hotel night we will save about $500. Delta fares have been all over the map and one day would be $2500ish and the next day $5000ish for 2 multicity main cabin tickets SLC to Morocco. We pulled the trigger and got comfort+ at the lower end of that scale. Here's hoping we won't be kicking ourselves 😊
Pam I'd love to hear about your experience after you transit in a couple of weeks
Thanks again!
Question about landing in CDG (final destination):
I assume passport control is right after you get off the plane? And Customs is after baggage claim? I land at 9:30am, want to get a quick bite to eat, use the ladies room, then have to meet my car service at 1:00 p.m. I won't have any checked bags. I think I will have plenty of time, but not 100% sure.
Any insight is appreciated!
Are you landing at 2E? There is no food between landing and Immigration and you are channeled directly there. After Immigration you go down to Baggage Claim and exit thru Customs to the non-secure area. There are a couple of food places there.
There is a bathroom to the far left just at the start of the lines for Immigration. There are also bathrooms just past the Immigration kiosks on your way to Baggage Claim.
And yes, I’ll update how my transit goes a week from Monday, lol!!
I will be arriving in 2A
We fly in and out of CDG every year, most recently arrived on 9/9/22, and have never had any issues.