Connections in CDG, Paris

I, too, was concerned in Oct 2022 when I transited thru there. I landed on a flight from Seattle which always seems to come in at one of the tarmac M Gate stands so you have to get on a shuttle bus to get to 2E. I'd landed there often but never transited. I started my watch timer when I stepped off the plane onto the exterior stairs and it took me 1h5m of steady walking to get to my departure gate in 2F. It took about 15 minutes going thru security mostly because people did not have their liquids in a ziplock bag. I held mine up for the security guard on my line and he waved me to the belt. After that, I had literally NO line at passport control egate. There were 2 people ahead of me and they stepped aside as the husband was still trying to get his belt back on his jeans, lol. Thru the egate easily with the assist of the attendant and I was there. I did not make a comfort stop until I got to 2F and I was not lured in by the Longchamp store, haha!

Four hours is plenty of time but I would keep an eye on your reservation to see if anything changes. I would feel comfortable with 2.5 hours but probably not anything less.

BTW, the Air France flight I was on started boarding early by about 10 minutes and was very orderly.

Are your flights all on one ticket?

editing to add: BTW, I timed it because someone in our meet-up group here in Coeur d'Alene had a 1hr10minute transit time and I was sure that was not enough. It would not have been.

Yes, one ticket. And I’m coming from SEA, and so not looking forward to busing in from the tarmac.

It actually probably takes less time on the little shuttle than walking, lol. They have them lined up and as soon as the front one is full off they go. It's less fun if it's rainy because there is no cover going from the plane door to the shuttle.

BTW, when the shuttle dumps you off it's at the entrance to the Border Control area for 2E. You want to walk past that looking for the signs above you pointing to 2F. There is a separate area for security and passports for 2F.

and also BTW, I fly Delta so not sure what airline you are on and whether they have the same experience.

Same - Delta

It's an excellent flight! Often gets in a little early if they catch some jet stream!

Thanks for your responses. It’s good to hear from someone who has gone the same route before.

Four hours for transiting through CDG will feel like a lifetime. One and 1/2 hours would be really tight. Two hours minimum would be ideal. You are in great shape.

I think the CDG horror stories are a little over done. I've transited CDG numerous times and never had trouble catching the next flight, including once having a 40-minute transfer time with a very early morning arrival that arrived a few minutes late (worth noting I was at the front of the in-bound plane). I've done multiple 90-minute layovers. I'm most comfortable, though, with a 3-hour layover.

I have been through Chucky D a few times. Each time was about as unpleasant as such a thing can be. I just flat wont do it any more. I will do LHR before I go back to Chucky D and thats saying a lot.

But with 4 hours you should do fine. Enjoy your trip. Whats 4 hours (that will probably work out just fine) out of what I suspect will be an amazing holiday for you.

Unless ..............................

I really really dislike transiting through CDG. Last December, that was our best option and I was still not thrilled about its for good reason. We had either a 3 or 4 hour lay over, and it was enough, but going through passport control was an absolute mess. There were at least several flights that landed at the same time so everyone trying to go through passport at the same time. With whatever I did to my knee on a fall on this trip, I could not do stairs, so we asked about an elevator. The reply we got was that nobody can use the elevator. We even saw them making people on crutches and in casts having to use the stairs. It was the escalator, but it was not working, so basically was stairs. I did what I could, but omg it was painful! Anyway, the lines were so long and people were literally pushing and shoving and trying to cut in line. I finally turned to the older lady behind me who kept shoving me, and told her to stop it and that we will all get there when we get there. After getting through that mess, the rest was pleasant enough.

I will be connecting through CDG for the first time a month from today and already I am a bit nervous. I will be flying on to VCE for a cruise that departs from Trieste the following day. I only have a 3 hour connection time (well, 2h50m to be exact). That doesn't leave a lot of room if anything goes wrong.

Two questions: does anyone know if Air France flights from NA generally end up at Gate M, or do they generally arrive closer to Gate K? Also, since I will be flying business, is there any kind of fast track through the security checkpoint? I've already watched plenty of YouTube videos about exactly how to get from 2E to 2F, but since I'll be arriving at CDG around noon, I'm concerned the lineups at security/passport control will be huge.

I lived in Liberia for two years and transited through CDG eight times. Don't let the "horror stories" bother you. It's not horrible. I had my fears the first time, too. Yes, it's big and sometimes crowded, but signage is easy and lots of agents around to answer questions.

You most likely will come into Terminal 2E. This terminal has three halls: K, L, and M. The transport between them is easy by train. After you deplane, you can scan your boarding pass or look at a screen that will tell you which hall you will be departing from. I've never had an issue asking for help or directions. (A smile will take you a long way) The trains, if you need to take one, are easy to find, and move frequently.

There WILL be a new security checkpoint no matter which hall you arrive into, even if it's the same one that you will be departing out of. Your four hours will be more than enough.

Here’s an excellent website that shows how to navigate CDG:

https://easycdg.com/

"Also, since I will be flying business, is there any kind of fast track through the security checkpoint?"

@GregW - when I transited from 2E (flight from Seattle) to 2F (flight to Milan) last October there was not a lane for Business Class travelers at either security for 2F or for that Immigration set up. You will make things go faster if you have your toiletries in a regular ziplock baggie instead of even a clear pouch. Have it accessible and prepare as you approach the security lane. You'll go thru Security before you go thru Passport Control to enter the Schengen Zone.

The transit is well marked if you keep looking at the overhead signs for 2F. I hit it at a good time and there was about a 15-minute line at security and the biggest hold ups were people who had to transfer liquids to a ziplock from some sort of pouch or who were having to fish bottles of liquid out of their purses. There was no wait at Immigration when I got there. It's pretty cyclical with crowds, I think.

IF you did not have an onward flight and were ending in Paris there IS a fast lane for Business travelers, flight crews and people in wheelchairs at 2E. Sometimes it's open, sometimes it is not. I found the 2F transit immigration much faster than "normal" immigration at CDG.

I'll also recommend that to alleviate some anxiety you look at the times for the next Air France flights to VCE. I had looked that up for my trip but didn't need it. It can just help if you have to go to a transfer desk for rebooking. DO download the AF app and click on it as soon as you get into the terminal to check on updates.

Thanks for the info, Pam. Yes, I've already looked at alternative flights to VCE in case the worst case scenario happens and I miss my connection, but I've been assured that 3 hours is enough time so barring any unforeseen issues, I should be OK!