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Post by goldenmama on Jun 17, 2007 5:42:57 GMT -5
;)I don't want to know how to get from CDG; I've got that figured out. What I am wondering is if any one can enlighten me on how long to expect the deplaning, luggage finding, transportation to Paris, etc. to take.
Can anyone remember how long it took from when your plane landed until you were at your Paris destination?
Thanks!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 17, 2007 7:03:43 GMT -5
My answer won't be relevant because we picked up a rental from the airport and then drove to the Loire. As soon as we got our luggage, we started looking for signs to figure out where to get the car. We kinda stood there looking and looking, and that's when I spotted Hilary Swank, who was talking on her cellphone. Once she had completed her conversation, she started walking with her luggage, and that's when I approached her and said a few words to her.  |
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 17, 2007 14:12:46 GMT -5
Mama,
The length of time in the airport somewhat depends on your airline, what time of day you arrive, and what terminal you're in.
Because of the terminal collapse a couple of years ago, there aren't enough gates for all the jets, so Air France from North America often park out on the tarmac very near the Belgian border. You must then take a shuttle bus from the plane to the terminal. This can take as long as 45 minutes.
Once you've deplaned and you're in the terminal, you'll go through passport control. For non-EU citizens, this generally takes only 5-10 minutes in the early morning, but can be a bit longer at midday.
After passport control, you'll go to the luggage pick-up area. Again, the length of time depends upon the time of day. Generally, we arrive on an early flight, and if we don't have any unusual baggage, it takes about 20 minutes.
You probably won't even know when you go through immigration/customs. It's no bid deal and you steam right through it.
How long you have to wait for transportation to the city depends on what you've selected. A taxi is usually instantaneous. A private shuttle can be anywhere from 5-30 minutes. The Air France Bus is about 20 minutes.
The drive into the city usually takes about 30 minutes, except during rush hour, in which case the length can be anybody's guess.
So the short (!!) answer to your question is that it can take anywhere from 1 to 2-1/2 hours from the time your jet stops taxiing and you arrive at your final destination in the city.
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Post by susanb on Jun 17, 2007 14:17:27 GMT -5
HOLY SMOKES MAMA!!! I guess I haven't been on line much lately. LOVE the avatar. I don't think we'll forgot that one!
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Post by holger on Jun 17, 2007 16:22:23 GMT -5
Last June, we flew U.S. Air from Philadelphia. Can't recall which terminal at CDG but we deplanned right into the terminal. Everything moved quickly through till we went to meet our shuttle. We were waiting at the arrivals location. Driver was at Departure area. That added about 20 minutes but then he came and found us and walked us to where he was parked. We were at our hotel in the 1st in about 2 hours from landing even with mishap. Still had to store luggage and wait to get into room, one of the problems with an early morning arrival. This year we are flying Air France to use our miles so hope it will not be as bad as some have portrayed. I really hate having to get on a bus after a long flight and ride some more. 
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 17, 2007 17:46:39 GMT -5
Holger, nearly all the AF flights from North America are deplaning on the tarmac. It's a royal pain in the butt! But maybe you'll be lucky!
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 18, 2007 4:29:50 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, that was really helpful. The flight will be AF with an early morning Sunday arrival.
Shoesy, was Hillary nice to you?
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 18, 2007 20:03:29 GMT -5
Golden, why did I think you were SisterEurope's mother? Sorry for the confusion about your dead-beat daughter!!
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 18, 2007 21:50:00 GMT -5
Goldenmama - I guess I can say that Hilary was friendly enough. She gave me a typical Hilary Swank smile ( something like this ;D ) while answering my question "You're Hilary, right?" She definitely didn't act snobby or anything like that.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 18, 2007 22:02:01 GMT -5
Truffaut - You got your "mamas" mixed up. ;D
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 19, 2007 4:25:28 GMT -5
:DOh Truffaut, I'm having a hearty guffaw at that one!
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aude
Full Member
Posts: 114
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Post by aude on Jun 21, 2007 17:25:33 GMT -5
Air France from North America often park out on the tarmac very near the Belgian border.
;D This is soooooo true!!! The plane touches down and I breathe a big sigh and gleefully think, "I'm finally in Paris!" HA! Not quite. Forty five minutes later we're still taxi-ing. The last time we flew into CDG I swear the pilot drove slowly around the same out-building TWICE before crossing a bridge over the expressway, wandering through service areas, circling a huge metal building, then meandering out into a distant field where we finally parked. At least it gave me plenty of time to try to spot the little brown bunnies who live in the grassy areas at CDG.
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 21, 2007 17:58:34 GMT -5
This Air France stuff is a little disheartening  I haven't booked yet, but was planning to dump some American Express points into one of their partner frequent flyer programs to upgrade on our next trip, and Air France seemed like the best choice. Maybe I'll rethink that! We've been lucky so far and haven't had to endure all the tarmac deplaning and busing junk at CDG. Doesn't sound fun at all!  |
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 21, 2007 18:09:46 GMT -5
Annette, if you can get an upgrade it should be fine (I think most of the unsatisfactory experiences were in coach). We did that with mileage tickets a couple of years ago (we had far too many miles on Delta, an AF partner, and were afraid it was going to be found one morning with its corporate toes in the air and Xs on its eyes, so we just used up all the remaining miles for a Christmas splurge). It was actually quite nice in their business class section. So, go for it!  My recollection is that we had a jetway to the gate, but that seems to depend in part on what time you arrive and how many other planes are competing for the few gates they have. Also, a distinct advantage is that on AF you might be able to get a nonstop from the West Coast (which, as you know, is not common!). I know they had them from SFO as of two years ago, and I'd be very surprised if they didn't from LAX as well - and as you know, flying to France from the West Coast is a very long haul especially if you have to change planes somewhere in the middle of the US! |
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aude
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Post by aude on Jun 21, 2007 19:16:56 GMT -5
Don't be discouraged...if you upgrade, Air France Espace class is great! The last time we flew to Paris, the plane had all new seats that recline flat and are very roomy. The service was fabulous.
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 21, 2007 19:53:56 GMT -5
At least it gave me plenty of time to try to spot the little brown bunnies who live in the grassy areas at CDG. Hahaha! I thought I was the only one who did that to pass the time! We must be related!! We're SOOOO pathetic! |
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 21, 2007 19:54:44 GMT -5
True, the business class section would be great, but I don't relish the idea of an extra hour taxiing around the airport and being bussed in, after an 11 hour flight! After a few bad experiences, I don't even consider flights to Europe that aren't direct anymore, unless that's the only way to get where we're going (i.e. Barcelona..."can't get there (non-stop) from here"). Last fall we flew Air Tahiti Nui for the first time, LAX-CDG non-stop, and it's the best coach experience we've had long haul (and no tarmac games!). Other than them, I do believe Air France (Delta code share) is the only direct flight from here.
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 21, 2007 19:56:03 GMT -5
I think most of the unsatisfactory experiences were in coach. I've got news for you. The people travelling in coach arrive at the same time and taxi around the same amount as the people in first class. It just costs less per mile of taxiing!!! |
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 21, 2007 20:11:56 GMT -5
Seriously though, I've been upgraded once on AF due to overbooking. Despite the fact that there was an empty seat right next to me in my new exalted quarters, they wouldn't let my partner upgrade with me. You see, AF has a policy not to split up married couples and families. As a single sex couple, however, we're not considered a couple, and AF absolutely refused to budge on the issue. I tried every trick in the book. Demanding, imploring, the good old French "madame, I have a problem and I hope you can help me with it". This particular trip had been an especially difficult one filled with testy encounters (pretty much the only time I really didn't enjoy myself in France). Eventually I was told by the head steward that they had no power to upgrade and that only the gate attendant in the terminal could upgrade a passenger. Mind you, we had already taxied onto the runway to await takeoff. At that moment, I became possessed, threw off my seatbelt, stood in the aisle and screamed at the steward "T'es con. Cet avion ne bouge pas! L'apportez-moi. Maintenant!" (Basically, "you're an not a very nice person, this plane's not going anywhere, bring her to me. NOW!") To make a long story short.... They actually did bring out the gate attendant to the plane on the tarmac (I just know the other passengers were enthralled with me). G never did get his upgrade, but I felt so much much better after screaming at someone. It was something I had needed to do for two weeks! In retrospect, it's really surprising that I'm not languishing in some work prison on a tropical island off the coast of South America! And then, just think, there would be no OurParis  |
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 21, 2007 20:35:51 GMT -5
 Good for you, Truffaut! You're my hero!  |
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I haven't booked yet, but was planning to dump some American Express points into one of their partner frequent flyer programs to upgrade on our next trip, and Air France seemed like the best choice. Maybe I'll rethink that! We've been lucky so far and haven't had to endure all the tarmac deplaning and busing junk at CDG. Doesn't sound fun at all! 
My recollection is that we had a jetway to the gate, but that seems to depend in part on what time you arrive and how many other planes are competing for the few gates they have.
hahahha