Anyone been to Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport?

[LuckyTaxi]

We have an 11 hour layover in Paris before our connecting flight to Thailand. Many says we should take advantage of some sight seeing, while others say not to leave the airport. For 11 hours, I think I'm going to kill myself while sitting in a terminal waiting for our flight. I'm not going to ask if it's worth because it's Paris after all. However, would it work logistically? If we miss our flight to Thailand, I'm going to be super pissed!!!!

 

[sjwaste]

Can you leave your luggage? I've never been to CDG, but I've heard its the worst airport in the world. If you have to grab your stuff, and then do it all again on the way back in, it's a tougher call.

CDG is also about 30-45 mins from the center of Paris, using the Champs-Elysee as a landmark on Google Maps.

Shit, you're there for 11 hours, I say go for it. Even if you get out for a meal and 3-4 hours of sightseeing, that's still 6 hours of padding. Even if you sit in some lines on the way back in, what the hell else would you be doing?

 

[Zeze]

11 hours.. let's see. 16 miles outside of Paris.

*60-90 mins to get out of airport and into the city
*You have to be back at least 2 hours before flight
*30~40 mins going back to airport.

Even with overestimation of time, you get solid 7 hours of worry-free touring of Paris. GO FOR IT.

I'd do it even if it were 5 hours of free time.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

My luggage should transfer over to the connecting flight I assume. Damn, how bad could the place be?! lol

 

[sjwaste]

My luggage should transfer over to the connecting flight I assume. Damn, how bad could the place be?! lol

Well, I've thought about it, and what I've heard is that getting between terminals for a connection is tough there. If you have to do that, you'd have to do it anyway, so basically you just need to go back through security.

11 hours is a long time. Enjoy the sights!

 

[Spikesoldier]

dont get hit by any A380's on your way out.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Well, I've thought about it, and what I've heard is that getting between terminals for a connection is tough there. If you have to do that, you'd have to do it anyway, so basically you just need to go back through security.

11 hours is a long time. Enjoy the sights!

I figure, 2 hours to get back in so that leaves me with 9 hours. I also read maybe an hour just to get off the plane and into the free area of the airport. That leaves us with roughly 8 hours to move around paris. I'll have to think about it, I hate getting lost in a city I know nothing about. It would be nice to have a taxi but I read it's like $80 one way!!!!

 

[God Mode]

Watch out for pick pockets and gypsy scammers.

 

[MichaelD]

The layout of that airport was drafted by scalded spider monkeys as they huffed gold spray paint fumes out of a paper bag. If you have to change levels (likely) you will leave the plane, turn right/left, walk alllllllllll the way down the hall, go downstairs/upstairs and then walk allllllllll the way back right/left to get to your gate. The stairs are only located at the ends of the levels. At least that's what I experienced when I flew through there about 4 months ago. Of course, the place is filled with the French, as it's their country. Expect disdain as you attempt to purchase food or other sundry items.

Oh, as to your long layover: Assuming you can check your luggage AND you allow 2 hours to return to the airport AND get through security, some sightseeing seems doable. No lie though: the most intense security screening I've ever been through was at this airport. And I never left the terminal. They actually took my shaving kit out of my luggage and confiscated my shaving cream, cologne and nail clippers. And this was a checked bag! The place just blows. Avoid if at all possible.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

We have an 11 hour layover in Paris before our connecting flight to Thailand. Many says we should take advantage of some sight seeing, while others say not to leave the airport. For 11 hours, I think I'm going to kill myself while sitting in a terminal waiting for our flight. I'm not going to ask if it's worth because it's Paris after all. However, would it work logistically? If we miss our flight to Thailand, I'm going to be super pissed!!!!

I've been to that airport several times. An 11 hour layover means that you'd probably have 7 hours to kill in Paris (figure 1 hour travel each way + getting to the airport 2 hours in advance of the flight). In that amount of time, you could see the highlights of the Louvre (I'd recommend spending way more time there if you get the chance, but 7 hours would allow you to see many cool things) or could use the time more leisurely and visit the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and a few other sites.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Can you leave your luggage? I've never been to CDG, but I've heard its the worst airport in the world. If you have to grab your stuff, and then do it all again on the way back in, it's a tougher call.

I believe you can leave your luggage there, though I have never done it. By the way, CDG IS the worst airport I've been in with JFK being a close second.

CDG is also about 30-45 mins from the center of Paris, using the Champs-Elysee as a landmark on Google Maps.

Yeah, figure an hour each way if you take a taxi or 45 minutes via train.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I figure, 2 hours to get back in so that leaves me with 9 hours.

You won't have 9 hours of free time. 7 at the most (see my previous post).

I also read maybe an hour just to get off the plane and into the free area of the airport. That leaves us with roughly 8 hours to move around paris. I'll have to think about it, I hate getting lost in a city I know nothing about. It would be nice to have a taxi but I read it's like $80 one way!!!!

CDG reminds me of something you'd see portrayed as a Soviet airport in a Cold War movie. The gate areas aren't terrible, but the main terminals are awful.

We went in 2009 and I think it was about $60 via taxi from CDG to downtown Paris and took 45 minutes to an hour. Even if it is $80, I'd recommend it as they can literally take you right to your destination and you'd spend less time overall traveling in the city.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Ugh, so ppl werent kidding when they said this airport was horrible. I figure nothing could be worst than Atlanta, I hate that place. So god damn crowded!!!!

Stupid question but would I need a visa? I hate security and would like to avoid being hassle by them if possible. I would be pissed if we came back to the airport and security gives us crap for whatever reason. I would love to avoid the metro due to pick pocketers in tight quarters.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I had a 7 hour layover in CDG and we managed to make use of the time. Got a bite to eat, people watched, saw some of the new double-decker planes... was a little boring toward the end, but it wasn't terrible.

Since you're there for longer and I'm guessing you haven't seen Paris, I HIGHLY recommend going into the city. Take the RER (B) from the Airport to Saint Michel - Notre Dame and go check out the cathedral. Maybe take a walk along the Seine up past Les Invalides and walk through the Champs de Mars to see the Eiffel Tower. It's a hefty walk, but on a nice day, it's gorgeous.

Last time I was there it was 10.70 Euro (I think) into the city... just either use the machine to buy a single ticket to Ile-de-France or go up to a counter and ask for a ticket into the city. The trains run fairly often so you should be fine and will have plenty of time to explore.

Ugh, so ppl werent kidding when they said this airport was horrible. I figure nothing could be worst than Atlanta, I hate that place. So god damn crowded!!!!

Stupid question but would I need a visa? I hate security and would like to avoid being hassle by them if possible. I would be pissed if we came back to the airport and security gives us crap for whatever reason. I would love to avoid the metro due to pick pocketers in tight quarters.

As long as you're a US citizen you won't need one. Security and immigration is actually REALLY easy to get through in Europe compared to the US. And don't let anyone scare you about the Paris metro. It's probably one of the safest in the world. I took it every day and the worst that happens is the French guys/gals come on and serenade you with an accordion / violin from time to time. Take in the culture.

<-- lived in Paris for 2 months.

 

[txrandom]

The airport sucks. The layout is just terrible. Plus they took my allen wrench and screws away that I used for my rollerblades. Other than the airport, Paris is an awesome place. Just make sure you plan in some catch up time. You never know when the train may break, someone commit suicide on the tracks, etc.