Making a connection in Paris? Be aware that making a tight connection at CDG can be a rushed, anxiety-producing undertaking. I was reminded of CDG's logistical difficulties by a recent email from a client (copied with permission).
Thought you could help me out with this logistical question. We arrive into Paris CDG at 8:25 am. We plan to take a train to Avignon upon arrival, ideally out of CDG. Online I am directed to Rail Europe which shows a 9:58 am departure and a 1:58 pm departure. The 9:58 am seems tight with customs, but if it's at all possible, that would be much more ideal than waiting around for the afternoon departure.... Do you have any views on best options?
A 90 minute air-to-air connection is actually a legal connection at CDG but one fraught with potential difficulties. Here's a short list of things I would get worried about:
1. What if your flight departs late? While there's some wiggle room in schedules, lots of things can lead to a late departure. A late inbound flight. Mechanical difficulty. Holding the flight for late connecting passengers. Delays getting baggage loaded. Delays getting all passengers seated. Delays in the crew getting to the airport. Bad weather. Any of these can make cause a late arrival ... and a missed connection.
2. Seated in the back of the plane? Have you noticed how long it takes to deplane if you're in the last rows of a 737? Double that time if you're in the back of a jumbo jet. And if you're on an Air France 787 (double decks) to CDG, all bets are off.
Tip: flying business class not only gets you a decent night's sleep in a lie-flat seat, you're also first off the plane.
3. Queuing up for immigration. If a large 747 (or two) has landed just before your flight, you can get to immigration and find hundreds of people already in line. Immigration officials can take a minute or longer processing each passport. Multiply that by the number of passengers in queue, divide by the number of agents, and you have the depressing answer.
Tip: Splurge for a VIP airport reception at CDG. You'll be met at the jetway by a personal concierge with your name on a sign, and you'll be fast-tracked through immigration, saving time and aggravation.
4. Do I have to collect my luggage? Where is my next gate? Both confusing questions when you arrive at an unfamiliar airport, thoroughly jet lagged after spending the night on a plane. (If you're taking the train, you definitely have to wait for your luggage).
5. I'm at the gate. Where is my plane? Some of CDG's gates don't have jetways, and you have to crowd onto a bus to take you out to the plane. Boarding actually ends quite a bit before the scheduled departure of your flight, shrinking your 90 minutes even more.
6. If you're taking the train, not a plane, to your next destination, how do you get to the train station to board the train — or purchase or exchange your ticket? Easy if you're intimately familiar with CDG, but when you're unfamilair with an airport, getting from Point A to Point B is a stressful undertaking.
The ultimate tip: Never book separate tickets when connecting at CDG. Make sure all flights are on the same PNR. If you miss a connection, you're protected. Separate tickets and you miss your next flight? You don't want to be in this situation. Ever.
1. What if your flight departs late? While there's some wiggle room in schedules, lots of things can lead to a late departure. A late inbound flight. Mechanical difficulty. Holding the flight for late connecting passengers. Delays getting baggage loaded. Delays getting all passengers seated. Delays in the crew getting to the airport. Bad weather. Any of these can make cause a late arrival ... and a missed connection.
2. Seated in the back of the plane? Have you noticed how long it takes to deplane if you're in the last rows of a 737? Double that time if you're in the back of a jumbo jet. And if you're on an Air France 787 (double decks) to CDG, all bets are off.
Tip: flying business class not only gets you a decent night's sleep in a lie-flat seat, you're also first off the plane.
3. Queuing up for immigration. If a large 747 (or two) has landed just before your flight, you can get to immigration and find hundreds of people already in line. Immigration officials can take a minute or longer processing each passport. Multiply that by the number of passengers in queue, divide by the number of agents, and you have the depressing answer.
Tip: Splurge for a VIP airport reception at CDG. You'll be met at the jetway by a personal concierge with your name on a sign, and you'll be fast-tracked through immigration, saving time and aggravation.
4. Do I have to collect my luggage? Where is my next gate? Both confusing questions when you arrive at an unfamiliar airport, thoroughly jet lagged after spending the night on a plane. (If you're taking the train, you definitely have to wait for your luggage).
5. I'm at the gate. Where is my plane? Some of CDG's gates don't have jetways, and you have to crowd onto a bus to take you out to the plane. Boarding actually ends quite a bit before the scheduled departure of your flight, shrinking your 90 minutes even more.
6. If you're taking the train, not a plane, to your next destination, how do you get to the train station to board the train — or purchase or exchange your ticket? Easy if you're intimately familiar with CDG, but when you're unfamilair with an airport, getting from Point A to Point B is a stressful undertaking.
The ultimate tip: Never book separate tickets when connecting at CDG. Make sure all flights are on the same PNR. If you miss a connection, you're protected. Separate tickets and you miss your next flight? You don't want to be in this situation. Ever.
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