Need some reality balancing (I'm not a seasoned traveler)!
If I book a IcelandAir flight REY to CDG, set to arrive in Paris at 3:55pm, how many buffer hours would you feel comfortable with booking a second ticket flight using another carrier from CDG to BCN? I'm thinking at least 2.5 hours, but that may be pushing it.
What's your experience been?
Thanks!
Melissa
You will not need to go through immigration in Paris, so that is a plus. If you are checking bags, that is a problem in that you will need to exit the secure zone, collect your bag, re-check it, then go back through security, the other unknown (at least right now) is if you will need to change terminals, not terrible, but not quick.
If no checked bags, and an easy gate change, probably no problem. But you are risking a delay or cancellation causing more problems than usual.
If carrying on, pay close attention to luggage size and weight allowances, European carriers in general restrict weights and size more, and do check (and levy charges if over).
We are planning to have only carry-on. I just checked the allowance on IcelandAir is (in inches): 21.6x15.7x7.8. We have the smaller size camping backpacks, I'll have to check them.
good insight on the administrative stops (thankfully n/a).
I've heard icelandair has lots of delays, not sure about their record to CDG, I suppose there's a website somewhere with that info!
You can check on time reliability on flight aware, https://www.flightaware.com/. Also be aware of weight limits for carry on bags.
I book a lot of non-protected connections. My rule is four hours and a willingness to pay the price. So in your case the price would be a new ticket to your final destination. So if you aren’t willing to buy a walk up ticket to your final destination, allow more time.
Icelandair fly REY to BCN direct, or as a ticketed (thus a protected) connection via AMS. Why not use those options?
I'll definitely consider all of this! I have a ticket already from KEF to CDG, but I can change it without fee, so just trying to get a sense of whether it was doable if I decided not to change and instead just try to find a direct CDG to BCN many hours later! There are several in the 9pm and 10pm time frame, so that seems like doable, and as Carol said, I could always just buy the next flight, take the train, etc. Not ideal, but needing options to assess!
