Departure from CDG

We flew from Verona into CDG and had a 90 minute layover. We needed every minute of that layover to get where we needed to be. It included about a 20 minute tram ride to our plane and then another line once we got there. Shoot for 11:00 to be safe.

Aiming for 11:00 is probably wise. Flying out of CDG seems to involve waiting in one slow-moving line after the another. Over the holidays (which is, of course, a much busier time than normal), I physically arrived in the airport just over two hours early and my flight was on the final boarding call by the time I finally passed through the last security check.

Yes make it 11am. It is not worth the stress if you have a airport train, taxi, or bus delay. I was in CDG in Aug. It is busier than ever. Construction going on and the normal 1000's of people.

I personally would recommend to arrive as comfortably early as you can, at least 3 hrs. I think the speed in going through the various procedures not only depends upon how many people are ahead of you but also the dispositions of the check in clerk, the customs official, and security officers: 3 possibilities of slowing down the "assembly line." Since my family and I arrived at the airport 4 hrs early, we did not feel any stress in getting to the plane, when the initial security check gave us an in depth questioning. I forgot to get the 7 yr old to sign his passport. (I guess they didn't notice it on our arrival to France. But then, the young custom male officer was smiling at my pretty 18 yr old daughter.) Afterwards, all the officials were animated & were kind to us. Going thru the "assembly line" was a breeze. Because we were so early, we were not nervous or stressed out. And neither were they.

I always arrive three hours early. You beat all the other travelers who plan on arriving for your U.S. bound flight 2 hours earlier. You generally breeze through check-in and security and have time for a nice last breakfast in Paris. The food is airport food but generally good (although expensive for what you get). My take is that you're rested and relaxed for your flight home instead of stressed out and sweaty. I also always stay out at the airport the night before. I usually get a really good deal using hot-wire (or similar) at the airport for that last night. No hassles, just take the shuttle in the morning.