Charles de Gaul Airport?

Well, i guess Mom didn't realize that what she experienced was quite no problem/normal...bus from the plane to the terminal ?? that's often just how it is and nothing to be scared about...just follow the signs to baggage...and wait...

thanks for the heads up.

I am moving to Florence, IT to study for a semester so I will be flying home from Rome. We are leaving Florence the evening of the 22nd and my girlfriend and I will most likely have a nice meal in Rome and then its off to the airport around 6:30ish for our 10:00 flight!

I'm getting more and more excited each and every day!

edit:

We are heading to rome the 22nd and flying the 23rd - don't want to confuse anyone.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. It is very normal at European Airport to either walk or bus outside to the plane. I have done it at AMS, GDG and LHR amongst others. Generally there is a pack mentality and it is pretty easy to see what is going on even if you don't speak the local language.

I actually prefer the stair method when deboarding a plane. They usually put one set of stairs in front of the plane, and another in the back. This makes getting out of that flying sardine can:) much faster.

I arrived at CDG with my 85 year old mother and had requested special assistance. It was a good thing we did as she never would have made it down the stairs!
However, we had the most amazing exit.....they pulled this giant ramp to the rear exit which we got on to and then they lowered it to ground level.The cabin crew was most helpful. I have to give high marks to Air France for assistance to travlers with special needs.

I just flew to and from CDG and I experienced absolutley no problems (we flew to and from terminal 2 if that makes a difference). We never had to do the stairs. It was very easy to find your way around the airport as it was well signed.

I just flew back from CDG on Tuesday and did not find the horror story that I had expected. Having said that, I must add be sure to arrive 3 hours ahead for your return. I arrived 2 1/2 hours early and made it to the gate with only 10 minutes to spare.

That's pretty common with many airports in Europe. Just follow the sheep!

I agree with Jean! I flew into London and back home out of CDG (also on Delta) not realizing that 3 hours was barely enough time for CDG! There's also no such thing as a "line". Once they open the gates, its a free for all.

I've been through CDG several times and you usually get bussed somewhere.

It is actually very normal outside of the US to have to a take a bus to/from the plane. This is because airports were built much differently and its cheaper to build a bunch of "hard stands (places you have to take a bus to)" than gates. Heck even at Puerto Vallarta last year I had to bus to and from the terminal.

ditto to Marryann's reply...if you have a special request ie a handicapped person travelling...you are treated like royalty...but only the royal person him/her/self and one companion...any others travelling in the party must "follow the herd"...this I also know from a similar experience...but following the herd in CDG is a good thing for first time travellers...

We just returned from France flying in and out of CDG. We had a very hard time finding our way around the airport and finding transportation into town. We were trying to take a shuttle but apparently all of them have to be reserved before you fly which is hard if you don't think your flights will be on time. We got conflicting information and directions from the two information desks and the airport personnel were very much less than friendly or helpful -- one of only two unhelpful times in all of our 3 1/2 week trip. We loved France and enjoyed everywhere except the airport and one hotel in Paris that overbooked and sent many of us up to 45 minutes further out. Leaving we took a cab (didn't want to hassle a bus or metro with the luggage) and it cost <40Euro. We were very happy with the cab and will do this next time both ways.

Our American flight from Dallas stopped far from the terminal, we deplaned down the rolling stairs and then rode the bus to the terminal. Thank goodness, we didn't have baggage...just our carry-ons, so no trek to baggage claim in hopes our bags would be there. We were herded to customs along with passengers from MANY other flights, sent through the customs area with little fanfare, no custom stamp in passport, and then we were off to find ATM machines to get a few Euros. The 6 of us were careful to stay together; there were SO many people that it would have been fairly easy to become separated. We found the ATM machines near the front exit. Also near the front were the phones where we contacted the shuttle company that we had pre-arranged to take us to hotel. The shuttle arrived within 30 minutes. It all went pretty well, but still chaotic and unexpected. You just have to enjoy each new experience as it comes your way. Bienvenue a Paris, ahhhhh, return flight was easier from Rome.