Meeting nephew at CDG

Hi Denny,

It's too bad that you are arriving at different terminals. CDG is complicated and this makes it even more complicated, since they are separate buildings quite far apart. To answer your questions:

1. You must collect all your checked bags first. The baggage claim area at CDG Terminal 2 is on the airside--that means it is beyond the security barriers and not open to the public, so if you left the area without your luggage, it would be very difficult to return later to collect it.

2. You will not be able to go to the arrival gate for your nephew since he is arriving at Terminal 1 in a separate building.

Here is what I would do. Tell the nephew to wait in the meeting point just after exiting baggage claim in Terminal 1. The meeting point is located landside on the Arrivals level (after the baggage claim area), close to Exit 34 (Sortie 34 in French). There will be many, many people waiting in this space to pick up passengers exiting baggage claim. Be sure to have cell phones so that you can text or call each other if a flight is delayed.

When you arrive, pick up your luggage and after exiting baggage claim, follow the signs for the CDGVAL (airport shuttle). It will be a long walk, since you are in 2B and the shuttle stop is near 2E/2F. Take the shuttle all the way to Terminal 1--it's the last stop. When you get off the CDGVAL shuttle, you'll be at the basement level of Terminal 1. Take the elevators or escalators up to the Arrivals area and look for the meeting point near Exit 34 (Sortie 34).

Here is a website that explains how to travel between terminals at CDG.

http://easycdg.com/airport-guide/travel-between-terminals-move-around-paris-cdg-airport/

This website also has guides to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. I would study them carefully before leaving for France.

It's hard to say if you will be able to get to the Terminal 1 meeting point before your nephew, even though you have an hour head start. I would be very firm with him that he must wait for you there--don't let him wander around the terminal, which can be very confusing since it was designed as a circular building.

Good luck and once you get settled, you're going to love your time in Paris.

Hi Denny,

(edited my post- the other poster gave detailed instructions Just keeping this post for the maps link).

My parents met my sister and I at CDG last October in a situation similar to what you and your nephew will be doing.

See page 4 of Terminal 1 map, arrivals area (Niveau Arrivals). The luggage area is inside the customs area- so if you are coming from T2, you won't be able to go into the luggage carousel area in T1 from outside.
http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle/terminals-map

It worked out fine for us, and you will be fine too. Bon voyage !

I would also have a backup plan in case a flight is cancelled or severely delayed. I would make sure he has 100€ in his pocket and the name of the hotel where you are staying. If either of you are not there by a certain time, (you pick the time frame) have him go to the taxi rank and take a taxi to your hotel. Tell him to ignore anyone who comes up to him and asks if he wants a taxi, but to go to the official stand and the person at the curb will put him in to a taxi.

Thank you all for the concise and complete information. You have nailed it to a T! We've set him up with the hotel address and enough euro for Plan B. We will be able to text too. I've just spoken to him. Thank you all for your help. We are ready !!

Denny - You've received good advice, just one additional note. If by chance your nephew does wander in Terminal 1, not to despair. Yes the terminal is round, but you can always orient yourself by looking to the doors to the outside, which are numbered. So he could say -- I'm near door 8 - and you would be able to get there and find him even if, for example, it's not the door closest to where you arrive.

Thank you, Kim, for your reply. We're all informed and eager to make this trip. Thanks again to all.