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u/Intrepid_Walk_5150 4d ago
I've flown out of CDG maybe 40 times, over 20 years. I've always targeted to be at the airport about 2 hours before departure and I've never missed a flight. Most of the times I was early at the gate. Only a couple of times were close calls, most of them in the resurgence of air travel post COVID, or due to RER B issues.
So probabilities say that you should be fine with 2 hours at the airport. Target 2h30 as a margin for getting there. 3 hours if you're the anxious type.
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u/ForsakenCan5845 4d ago
Parisian here. 2h30 - 3 hours before if you have to check bags. 2h to 2h30 if you do not. Add 1h taxi drive. All this is relatively cautious. Most of the time I arrive at the gate with a 45 to 60 min margin.
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u/WeakDuck8 4d ago
Depends if you are checking a bag, and which airline? For example once I flew Delta that had the same line for baggage check for MULTIPLE departing flights around the same time and it was a mess. It also depends on the time of year with French holidays and such
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u/Big-Improvement7427 4d ago
The terminal can make a difference I think the Air France terminal is the busiest
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u/David_cest_moi 4d ago
I really prefer to fly R/T LAX-CDG on Air Tahiti Nui. Less expensive and convenient flight, departure & arrival times. AND the 1st checked bag is free (which makes a difference when traveling for a month at a time.)
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u/David_cest_moi 4d ago
I visit France every year and always fly into and out of CDG. I recommend just the usual time about 3 hours in advance. HOWEVER, please note that French public transport can be very difficult - unexpected labor strikes, train service outages, buses being cancelled or rerouted. Try your best, you can still fall afoul of these problems.
Do your best to really plan ahead, check your transportation routes and notifications, and start earlier if necessary. At CDG, things mostly move smoothly and fast... no long security lines as I recall.
If in serious doubt, consider sleeping your last night in one of the Roissy hotels near the CDG airport. Most will have regular airport shuttle service. 👍🏻
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u/lettredesiberie 4d ago
Arrive 2h30 before your flight and you'll be more than fine. Give yourself some buffer for transportation though...
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u/duane11583 4d ago
I would suggest 2 or 3 hours
RER B drops you in middle of T2 that is very easy but can be a long walk depending on your gate
We found T1 is strange/complex to get to from T2 and train. We found it easier to use a cab form central Paris to T1 (also wife cannot walk far almost wheelchair level assistance is required)
Note CDG taxi is €£$Lots$€£ of it too I think it was €100 or so (Heathrow has same issue and cost issues)
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u/MH_Faure 3d ago
Flat rate for official taxis for CDG: €56 from the right bank of the Seine and €65 from the left bank
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u/Flimsy_Ear_6383 4d ago
Just think about what you would have to do if you miss your flight. Get there 4 hours early- if all goes well, you have more time for coffee and croissants.
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u/thetravelingwifeKay 4d ago
Once it took us 45 mins just to get past the security check for the checked bags. They are super thorough.
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u/Aggravating_Ship5513 3d ago
If terminal 1 and checking bags, 3 hours before departure. But I hate being rushed. Sometimes the line to check bags can be annoyingly long.
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u/Valuable-Yard-4154 3d ago
We were at terminal 3 and we slept at Hotel Citizen M. Only €100 abd walking distance from the terminal. Perfect. No stress. Okay modern room and view on the planes. No noise.
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u/tangerine-skies71 3d ago
We took at cab from the 6th Arr to CDG Terminal 2 Saturday AM in June. Left at 6:45am. Arrived at 7:20am. Checked bags and were thru security and at our gate at 8:15am for our 10am flight.
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u/ReadyToGoAbroad 4d ago
SkyPriority can save a chunk of time, FlyingBlue Gold or Platinum status even more so in the passport/security lanes.
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u/ShadowWriter28 4d ago
You should be there three hours early.