On 5/7/19 we flew home on Delta from CDG to Boston. We stayed at the Ibis Styles hotel in Roissy and took the black shuttle to Terminal 2, leaving the hotel at 7:30 AM for a 10:20 AM flight departure. The shuttle arrived at the airport at 8:00 AM because the bus stopped at other hotels. Flight checkin, passport control and security took one hour, so by 9:00 AM we were at the gate. The airport was not exceptionally busy on a Tuesday morning. The only surprise was that I was pulled aside for a random security check after the final gate check but before boarding the plane. As a result, I was the last person to board the aircraft.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6528 posts
Thanks for the details, Bob. We're staying at an Ibis in Roissy as well, and will be flying out of CDG on a Tuesday. I've been worried about how it all works. So thank you!
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
The only surprise was that I was pulled aside for a random security
check after the final gate check and before boarding the plane. As a
result, I was the last person to board the aircraft.
Ugh! I hope there was room for your carry-on in the overhead compartment.
Posted by
Prince George, BC, Canada
444 posts
We've stayed in the Roissy area before - in 2017. Commute time to CDG was similar as the shuttle bus stops at several of the hotels in the area. We really liked staying in Roissy. It's a smaller community with several restaurants and businesses. If you don't want hotel dining, you can wander the 10 minute stroll into town and enjoy a good meal at one of the restaurants.
Posted by
Southeast US
4045 posts
Sounds like the dreaded SSSS -- Secondary Security Screening Selection.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/do-not-fear-the-ssss
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/transportation/ssss-she-sure-seems-suspicious-miserable-trip-back-to-the-usa
If you still have your boarding pass, I bet there is an "SSSS" on there somewhere.
Posted by
183 posts
Relatively speaking that sounds like a good CDG experience!
Posted by
Green Bay
21145 posts
I don't think it was SSSS, but the OP can confirm. I have had this in Zurich, and usually they pick on pick people who arrive at the gate early, so as not to delay the flight. As the security agent at Zurich "said" with his eye rolls and tone of voice, "I know this is a huge waste of your time and mine, but it keeps your government happy."
People running up at the last minute don't get this treatment.
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6528 posts
Susan E, do you have any restaurant recommendations? We're only going to be there one evening, but we'd like a nice meal - maybe even a bit of a splurge - for our last night in France.
Posted by
OP
Central Connecticut, USA
1103 posts
While in Roissy, we ate at Aux Trois Gourmands. We had salads and some nice house rose wine. Since we had just finished the RS Village Italy tour, we did not feel like having a huge meal. By the way, we had a great time on the tour.
Posted by
near Santa Cruz, California
6 posts
Be very sure to get to CDG earlier than you think you need to. It is a busy and poorly organized airport with huge lines. We went at least an hour earlier than the RECOMMENDED time and got to our boarding area when the plane started boarding. You will have far less stress in those lines if you have a big time buffer.