Bonjour,
we are flying in to CDG on Delta 9/15/25, landing about 8am. US citizens. I am wondering what is a reasonable time expectation to get through Passport control/Customs? We are trying to plan out our first (zombie) day activities, and like a previous forum member, wanted to book tickets to Sainte-Chapelle (versus L'Orangerie as we previously were thinking). Fresh air!!!
Anyone have recent experience?
Cathy
In our last 4 entries in the last couple years, it took 2 hours once, about half an hour twice and 15 minutes, once. The good new is that the automatic gates are working better and so not having the delays common when they were first introduced. If you are in business you may have an expedited line, or not. And if you are in premium economy and thus get off earlier than those in the back you can get to the lines faster.
Ultimately it will depend on how many giant air buses unload just ahead of you.
Luggage unloading can be VERY slow at CDG. When we have been through immigration in 15 minutes, we have had to wait at least half an hour more for bags. Priority tagging makes no difference. (I suspect baggage handlers intentionally unload them last).
Estimating about a hour from docking to the cab line is probably about right. But don't book anything sensitive that depends on that.
Usually flights from the US are a bit early but one of our flights was two hours late from Chicago.
It took us 2 hours from CDG arrival to our hotel in St Germain via taxi. However there was a separate line for Delta upgraded seat classes. The economy line was longer, but we seemed to be the only plane in line; as it wasn't crowded in the passport area. As mentioned, luggage took time. We had bags tagged priority and they were nearly last off the plane. The official taxi line was short and moved quickly. I'd choose early afternoon at the earliest for tickets, though I'd probably go with an even later time. You should get in line at least 30 minutes before your admission time. There's no figuring delays from your departure from the US and anything else that could happen.
CDG is tough to estimate, I have been there when it takes 90 minutes. However, this mid-May, arrive around 9:30 a.m and cleared passport control in 15 minutes. No line for the taxi either. Since you are booking tickets for Sainte-Chapelle, would plan for at least an hour to get through.
Note we went to Sainte-Chapelle and we were early and had to wait our 30 minutes to entry. We met a couple who were 30 minutes late and they made that couple get into the line for those who didn’t have tickets. I am not sure if the time control is usually this strict, but thought I would share our experience.
We’ve used CDG for more than 15 years. Recently arrived in Paris on 31 July at 6am. We were through clearance activities in less than 10 minutes. Unfortunately delivery of baggage took upwards of 40 minutes. None the less we were eating breakfast before 8 am at the CDG Hilton. Other than arriving on a very early flight(by 0600) there is no foolproof trick, strategy, advice or hack to guarantee a quick transit through arrival formalities. Grin and bear it.
Thanks everyone, I think will shoot for noon-1 pm tickets. That gives us 4 hours to get from landing to hotel, to the hour walk there. Merci! Cathy
