Layover at CDG

Julie,

If CDG is your first stop in Europe, you'll have to go through Passport Control there. An hour and a half should be enough but CDG is large and a number of factors can affect the transfer time. That includes which terminals you'll be using, number of flights arriving at the same time, etc.

If you're using code share flights, if you miss your connecting flight to Greece they will be responsible for getting you on the next flight.

The long version:
Coming from the US and transiting France to get to Greece, you will go through immigration (passport control) in France, and customs in Greece. But customs in Europe is usually just a matter of walking through the "Green Channel - Nothing To Declare" lane as you exit the Athens airport.

As Ken said, it's immigration that can take time. You then have to make your way to your next flight; if it's in a different terminal (or sub-terminal), you have to go through security. Flights from the US to CDG can land at Terminal 1 or Terminal 2; Terminal 2 is further subdivided into 2A through 2G.

CDG is huge and always busy. I once had a 3 hour connection, that due to my plane's late take off from New York turned into a 1 hour connection. I made it with time to spare. But other people have horror stories.

For more information about the airport, look at this website; the links on the left side should help with some of your questions: http://www.easycdg.com/1/airport-guide/arrivals/

The short version:
You'll make it if you're lucky. If you don't make it and you are booked all on one ticket, the airline is responsible for getting you to Athens; they'll put you on the next available flight (key word is "available"). If you are not all on one ticket, don't even think of attempting this itinerary.

I've done it in one hour and 15 minutes, but you have to be strategic:

1) Pack light and only take carry-on. This way you don't have to worry about your bags making the tight connection.

2) When you get to Passport Control at CDG, politely ask the agent at the beginning of the First Class/Business Class line if you can be allowed to use it because of your connecting flight. Be sure to have your boarding pass ready to show him/her. I've done this several times and it's worked every time.

3) Look at the virtual CDG website ahead of time and try to do a sample walk through. Check out the gates for the same flight in advance -- often they use the same ones every day. Know the landmarks and be aware that the signs can be confusing.

Having an arrival flight seat closer to the exit than in the way back is advantageous. With so many passengers doing max carry-on and struggling to unload exiting can use up a lot of time.

You will need to clear security after passport control if my memory is correct. That can be another line and cost time if you are carrying anything that is likely to be rescanned.