All, I'm going to visit Paris and London for the first time this year. I was able to secure a flight using miles from the US round trip to Paris. As soon as I land in Paris, I will set out to London for a week. Currently it looks like British Airways has a very low cost flight between CDG and LHR which is far preferable to me than taking one train to another train when I'm exhausted after a long overnight flight. My question is this: my flight from the US lands at 8:40am in terminal 1. I can take a flight at either 10:40am or 12:00pm out of terminal 2A to London. Can i actually make the 10:40? Or should i suck it up at do the noon flight? Some more info to consider: -I am not checking baggage (I travel light) -I'm seated in first class to Paris, so I should be one of the first people off the plane (and i walk fast, so i expect to be the first person from my flight to arrive in customs/immigration) -my mother is flying directly to London from New York, and will arrive early in the morning, so I'd like to be able to meet up with her as early as possible. -i land on a Saturday morning So is anyone an expert on how CDG is laid out and whether taking the 10:40 flight is possible? I've read that it is a bit of a mess, but I can generally find my way around. And I speak (limited, but workable) French, so that should hopefully help me navigate. I realize that if my flight from the US is heavily delayed I could be in some trouble either way, but that's neither here nor there. I can't plan for everything! thanks for the help!
Jen
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If British Airways will allow you to print a boarding pass, then the shuttle I suggested above should work for you. It's an airside bus. However, if you have to check in at the BA counter at Terminal 2 and then go through security, it might be better for you to take the free CDGVAL driverless shuttle train that connects all the terminals. It runs every 4 minutes and the ride from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 takes 8 minutes.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23343 posts
While it is tempting I would book the noon flight. Two hours is just too tight especially if the arriving flight is delayed. You have no margin for error. As i understand these are two independent tickets and that you need to checkin with British Air or will you have you boarding pass for BA? CDG is a big,sprawling airport with lots of congestion most of the time. If just changing gates and you were checked thought you might have a chance. But you have to consider downside risk. If you miss the connection, what happens? For me, saving an hour twenty is not worth the risk.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Even though you won't have to take the time to claim any luggage, I still think you should play it safe and book the 12:00 flight. Use your free time to relax in a coffee shop over a cup of coffee and a French croissant. Here's a quote from the official CDG site telling how to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2A when making an international connection: Follow the signs to gates 20 to 28. Take the free Aéroports de Paris shuttle which serves Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2A. Frequency: every 15 minutes from 05:15 to 19:30 and every 16 to 20 minutes from 19:30 to 23:45, 7 days a week.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2749 posts
I am far from an expert, but "suck it up". I did the basic same thing last year but backwards. (flew into LHR and went directly to Paris). I also was in the front of the plane, had carryon only and I knew my AF flight went out of the same terminal BUT.... None of that helps if the flight to CDG is late. Give yourself the extra time. CDG is much worse then most airports you may very well need it
Posted by
OP
Charlotte, NC, USA
78 posts
Thanks for the advice! I think I agree, and I'll just take the noon flight. I am well used to busy airports, having grown up in the NYC area, but the piece of mind would probably enable me to sleep more soundly on my overnight flight.
I'm hoping that I will at least be "checked through" so that if at all possible I can maybe not have to go through security again - If British Airways will let me print a boarding pass from online I think I would be able to do that before leaving the US. But since I'll be going through customs on the way in and then changing terminals, I don't know for sure that there is any way to avoid having to get re-screened at CDG. We shall see!
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
802 posts
CDG is a big messy place and Terminal 1, which has satellites is just about as far away from 2A as you an get and still be on airport property. Definitely take the noon flight.
Posted by
Redlands, Ca, USA
358 posts
Since you will be flying first class you should be able to sleep a good portion of the flight. I would take the earlier flight if I did not have any checked in luggage as getting passed passport control should be fast. However if you decide on the later flight you should be able to stay in the airport lounge as you flew 1st class from the USA. I have used the business/first class lounge after landing at CDG and waiting for a flight to Amsterdam.
Posted by
aberdeen, scotland & london, uk
241 posts
Too little time .... Queues can be long at security points .....
Posted by
OP
Charlotte, NC, USA
78 posts
I've decided on the later flight. I figure it can't hurt to be cautious. I don't have any experience with British Airways, but I know that in the US if i'm booked on a later flight but arrive at the gate in time for the earlier one, they will generally allow me to get on the stand-by list for the earlier one for free. If I have the time, I can hopefully just do that. Or sit in the first class lounge, that is a good point. Thanks, everyone!