Would there be a place to get breakfast as early as 8:00 am? How much time would we need to allow to get back to the airport and get through security for a 12:30pm flight to Barcelona? We will be traveling on Friday oct 30. Betty fields
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9371 posts
You need to allow two hours, once you are back at the airport, to go back through security and get to your gate for your ongoing flight. If your bags are checked straight through to your destination you might get by with a bit less than that, but you never know how long the security line will be. So you'll need to be back at the airport by 10:30.
According to the airport website, a taxi takes about 30-40 minutes to get to the center of Paris, and costs about 40-50 euros. If you are IN central Paris at 8:00 a.m., you would need to leave for the airport by around 9:45, minimum. If you are just arriving at CDG at 8:00 a.m., you'd have to allow time to travel into the city, too.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
A taxi will cost at least 50 EUR--more if the traffic is heavy. The trip will take 45-60 minutes--more if the traffic is heavy. And you would be going into Paris during morning rush hour.
It would be much better to do what Steve suggests and take the RER B to St-Michel Notre-Dame and the RER C from there to Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel. No standing in line at a taxi rank. No traffic jams. The ride will take a little under an hour each way. Be aware that the RER B line divides northeast of Paris. When you return to the airport, be sure to get on a B3 train to CDG.
Buy one-day, zone 1-6 Paris Visite passes for 18.50 EUR. They will cover your rides to Paris and back to CDG plus any rides you take in the city on the Metro, RER, or bus.
The tower doesn't open until 09:30, about the time you will need to head back to CDG. All you'll have time to do is walk by the tower and take a quick look skyward. Frankly, you might be better off staying at the airport and enjoying a leisurely breakfast.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
betty,
What time does your flight arrive? Although the RER-B is the quickest method into Paris, I'm not sure you'd have time to get back to CDG to connect with your flight to Barcelona.
Keep in mind that there are "variables" involved. For example, unless you have a "chip & PIN" credit card or Euro cash, you won't be able to use the automated ticket machines to buy tickets for the RER. If you have to stand in a queue at the ticket office, you could be waiting for a LONG time! Also, it's a bit of a walk from the international arrivals area to the RER station (as I recall at least 15-20 minutes, but that will depend on which terminal your flight arrives at). Check the This Website for more complete details. You'll also need to verify whether your checked luggage is going to be transferred to your next flight, or whether you'll have to retrieve this from a carousel and re-check it. You won't have time for more than a cursory look at the Eiffel Tower as there are usually long queues for the elevators.
Given the circumstances and the potential problem areas, my suggestion would be to just stay at CDG and have a nice relaxing breakfast there at 08:00 while you wait for your next flight. As Rick says "assume you will return" and visit the Eiffel Tower on another occasion when you can see it properly.
Good luck and happy travels!