Hello all,
I'm flying into Paris on (Air France), arriving at 7:35pm. We have a flight (British Airways) that leaves at 9pm (booked separately).
I've only been to CDG once, and am unfamiliar with the layout and procedures between airlines.
Does this allow us enough time to change terminals and catch the London flight?
(we will not have checked luggage)
Thanks for your help!
Flying into Paris from where? If you are flying from outside of Europe, you won't have to go through passport control at CDG, but if you are flying in from another European city (a Schengen country), you will have to go through passport control, and that is really going to slow you down.
In any case, if you've already booked it(?), it's too late to wonder whether it's possible. Instead, figure out your backup plan in case you don't make it. What will it cost for a last-minute flight to London assuming there's one leaving after your scheduled flight? Or for a hotel at CDG plus a flight the next morning? Will you have trip delay insurance that would cover the costs of a delay like this?
Flying into Paris from where?
Beirut. We're Americans making a few stops (obviously), and I've never flown in the Middle East (I've been to France once before).
I did cancel the reservation (made it this morning) and booked the last flight at 9:40pm. So now, our layover will be from 7:35pm to 9:40pm. The British Airways agent affirmed that this should be enough time. Would you agree?
Is there any reason to be concerned re: customs, since we'll be in three different countries on two different airlines that day?
I vote no, it is not enough time.
It might take you 30 minutes just to get off the inbound plane and collect your luggage. Then you will have to recheck your luggage and check in with BA. If anything is delayed or backed up in any way at all, you will not make it.
From my experience in CDG, however limited it might be, I would want at least 3 hours to make that connection.
I would spend the night in Paris (or at one of the Paris airport hotels since you are arriving so late) and catch the earliest flight out the next morning to London.
I did cancel the reservation (made it this morning) and booked the
last flight at 9:40pm. So now, our layover will be from 7:35pm to
9:40pm. The British Airways agent affirmed that this should be enough
time. Would you agree?Is there any reason to be concerned re: customs, since we'll be in
three different countries on two different airlines that day?
2 hours is not enough time.
This is NOT a connecting flight. You will be taking 2 separate airlines that have no interline relationship. This is a stopover.
On two separate airlines, you are taking a risk with only a 2 hour stopover time that you will miss your 2nd flight. If you are prepared to buy a last-minute ticket at CDG for your flight to London, then the only risk you have is making sure there are actually seats available on a later flight. Otherwise, allow 4 hours, not 2 hours especially if you have checked luggage that you have to retrieve at CDG first and then check in at the BA counter BEFORE waiting on the long security lines and passport control. Delays can always happen.
When I travel on 2 separate, non-interline airlines, I allow a 4 hour cushion at the stopover airport because delays and problems happen quite often. I typically have stopovers at Heathrow or Schiphol.
Customs is only an issue if you are either smuggling contraband or have purchased items to declare.
Is London your destination or is it another stopover on your way back to the US?
We will have no checked luggage.
London is our final destination, so no further flights to catch.
We’ll be arriving at CDG, Terminal 2E on Air France, leaving from 2A on British Airways. Checking in online for BA flight.
It will be a Tuesday evening in October.
I realize there are risks here, but I figured these factors increased our chances.
Hello, we had 1.35 hours for a connecting flight to Venice, from a Seattle flight. Then the plane was late so we only had 55 minutes. We walked as fast as we could, we had carried on our luggage and beat the rest of our flight through passport control, and made it with 15 minutes until boarding. I read somewhere that early flights have less lines and that your own plane can cause the line. Our flight came in at 900 am. The airport is big and if we wouldn’t have walked super fast we would have missed our flight.
Robin
As I said above: just know what your backup plan is if you miss the connection and the costs involved. Overnight in Paris and an expensive last-minute flight the next morning? Cost partly or mostly paid for with trip delay insurance or out of your own pocket? I do take flight connection risks like this sometimes, but I always have a backup plan and know my options - even if the options aren't good. I like to know what I'm looking at in case I miss the plane. But I'm usually traveling solo so the costs for a delay aren't as bad as a few people traveling.
maryspromise - there is no guarantee you will not be required to check your baggage unless you are traveling 1st class or with no more than a "personal" size item such as a handbag or briefcase. I've been on more than one flight in Europe recently that were so full I and many other economy class passengers were required by the gate staff to check our carry-on bags (but were allowed to carry on "personal" items, such as my RS day bag). These were large aircraft but were not Airbus 330s. Consider the size of the jets you will be flying.
Having no checked luggage is a big plus.
If your original flight does not get to Paris on time/in time for your 940PM flight, it looks like you will be spending the night in Paris. Eurostar has its last London run at 911PM. The last Easyjet leaves at 955PM.
As mentioned by others, have a back up plan ready.
Presumably getting to Paris earlier is not an option?
