I posted this question on the Transportation site and was unable to get an answer. Maybe someone here can answer it. I apologize if it is too long. If it concerned any other airport, I would not even be asking this question: Is a connection time of 2 hours 10 minutes adequate for De Gaulle Airport on a Monday morning? The morning of May 9, we have to get from Terminal E to D for a flight to Luxembourg, fight the crowds and clear security both places. Last time, we barely caught our flight out of there with a three-hour window but that was from Terminal E and every U.S. flight seemed to be departing at the same moment. I had assumed that security lines at Terminal D would be smaller and more sane. Now I am not so sure. Just getting from the plane to and from E to D will take a while. For those of you who have made connections for flights from Terminal D, have you experienced problems with long lines and delays there? Or did you breeze right on through?
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
Has anyone out there had their international flight depart on time and get to the arrival gate, on time? Ever... in the last decade? (Sorta sorry for the bitterness.) Myself I don't think two hours is enough and certainly not enough if you are changing airlines. If you're not changing airlines your bags will be checked to your destination. If changing airlines you will probably need to collect your bags and then clear passport control and then customs and then recheck your bag(s). You've really got to get this data from your airline(s). If you're not checking a bag it might be doable. Remember, your flight and anyone elses' landing in the a.m. means lots of red eye long hauls from North America and consequently lots of lines at passport control/customs etc. Oh, and the good lord help you if you're flying BA.
Posted by
Luxembourg
69 posts
Hi Roy, greetings from Luxembourg! As I live here, I have had the "pleasure" of making quite a number of transfers via Paris CDG:-( All flights to/from Luxembourg are rightfully at Terminal D. Although a very boring and uninspiring worn out terminal, I find it quite easy to clear security here, as you will find 3 Security check points throughout the terminal, and I never found the waiting time long, never more than max. 8-10 mins, even on a rush hour morning. In my opinion, 2H10mins transit from E to D is really adequate transit time. The only bottleneck is the passport control upon arrival at Terminal E. Most people, including myself, try to avoid Paris CDG, but if you clearly follow the signs to D, you should not worry at all. I would be more concerned about my luggage making it:-) You're in for a lot of walking at CDG, but I guess this is how some clever architect once wanted it to be! Happy transit!
Posted by
Luxembourg
69 posts
My tip: Pick the security checkpoint in the center of Terminal D - usually least lines. for a map of - this rather small - Terminal D: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/ADP/Resources/3b8ceaf9-6b49-49f2-87c8-60e6acc19ee3-cdg2d.pdf?