In September, we have a 7 am Tuesday flight on Lot airlines out of DeGaulle airport to Kosice, Slovakia, with a 4-hr layover in Warsaw. We will be staying at the Ibis at the airport the night before. We will check bags. The CDG web site says to arrive 90 minutes before departure for European flights. Is 90 minutes reasonable, or should we allow more time? Thanks.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Poland is in the Schengen area, so you won't have to go through immigration, just security. I'll bet 90 minutes is adequate, but if you feel worried, make it two hours.
Posted by
OP
Oregon, USA
198 posts
Edit: It wasn't the CDG site that told me 90 minutes, it was Easy-CDG (http://easycdg.com/passenger-information/deadlines-check-in-boarding/). I mistakenly thought I was on the official site. So maybe 2 hours is more reasonable (except for having to get up so early lol). I can't find anything on the official web site, or on the LOT web site, although surely it has to be there somewhere. I've been reading some horror stories of wait times at CDG.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Make sure you read the horror stories from people who are flying to Schengen countries, not the ones who had to wait in a long immigration line that you won't have to worry about. Which Ibis - is there an airport shuttle or can you walk to the terminal? I've stayed at a few hotels near/at CDG. One was the Sheraton which is literally IN the airport so no shuttle to worry about.
Posted by
OP
Oregon, USA
198 posts
Andrew, it's the Ibis right at Terminal 3, so we just need to take the airport shuttle to Terminal 1 (8 minutes, they say). I'm just a worrier!
Posted by
Southeastern USA
996 posts
I've only changed planes at CDG, but those experiences have led me to believe that this is a horrible airport. I have no clue what it's like to go there as a departure airport, but based on my own experiences I'd arrive two hours before my flight. Worst case scenario...you can have breakfast at the airport while you wait...
Posted by
OP
Oregon, USA
198 posts
Update: two hours was plenty of time. Even had time for one last croissant.
Posted by
New York, NY
3992 posts
Sounds like you used your time wisely, Michele. Yum!