Connecting flights at Charles De Gaulle

[cesleeth]

We arrive Delta in Terminal 2E at 8:10 am, have to go thru customs and then catch an Easy Jet flight to Biarritz at 10:50 in Terminal D2. Is that doable and what is the best way to get from E2 to D2, walk or take the bus?

 

[Athena Atterdag]

Hi,

2 hours 40 minutes should be more than enough

I flew via CDG several times, and on two or three occasions, I had to clear the customs and get to another terminal in just 1 hour or so. On one occasion, I did miss my connecting flight, but that was because the first flight was delayed.

Clearing the customs may be a problem - I almost always had to spend considerable time in the queue because only two or three lanes were open. But I think that with almost three hours on your hands you should be fine!

Different terminals and even parts of the same terminal are usually connected by buses. I'm not even sure it's possible to walk

Be very careful when boarding the bus: there are different lines, and you need to make sure you're boarding the right bus. If in doubt, ask the staff, they'll help!

Buen camino!

 

[trecile]

We arrive Delta in Terminal 2E at 8:10 am, have to go thru customs and then catch an Easy Jet flight to Biarritz at 10:50 in Terminal D2. Is that doable and what is the best way to get from E2 to D2, walk or take the bus?

FYI, you don't have a true "connection", which would be two flights on the same ticket. That means that if you do miss your second flight due to a delay of the first neither airline has an obligation to get you to your destination, and you will likely need to buy a new ticket. I would probably accept the risk if the flight between Paris and Biarritz isn't too expensive. Your travel insurance may cover it if you meet their minimum time for unprotected connections.

 

[JulieandPeter]

I would advise choosing seats at the front of the plane so you can get off earlier rather than later and get to the front of the immigration/customs line (edit: bring a pen so you can fill out your landing card before you get to immigration/customs if needed). I know this seems obvious, but ending up at the back of the line because you are the last to get off the plane or have to stop to fill something out can make a big difference making your second flight. Also, if you are returning from Madrid, give yourself at least three hours to make your connecting flight. On a less hurried note, if you miss your plane, there is always another one and the Camino will be there when you get there. Buen Camino!
PS Staying in Paris for a night or two to sort out jet lag and see a beautiful city is also a less hurried option.

 

[GraemeHall]

I would advise choosing seats at the front of the plane so you can get off earlier rather than later and get to the front of the customs line (bring a pen so you can fill out your landing card before you get to customs). I know this seems obvious, but ending up at the back of the line because you are the last to get off the plane or have to stop to fill something out can make a big difference making your second flight. Also, if you are returning from Madrid, give yourself at least three hours to make your connecting flight. On a less hurried note, if you miss your plane, there is always another one and the Camino will be there when you get there. Buen Camino!
PS Staying in Paris for a night or two to sort out jet lag and see a beautiful city is also a less hurried option.

I have never had to fill out a landing card when arriving at any French airport, from either inside or outside Europe. Also, their immigration lines are among the fastest anywhere. As for customs lines (after collecting luggage if travelling with checked-in), almost non-existent. They just do random checks and after probably 30 or 40 arrivals at CDG I've never had one. I must look honest!

 

[JulieandPeter]

I have never had to fill out a landing card when arriving at any French airport, from either inside or outside Europe. Also, their immigration lines are among the fastest anywhere. As for customs lines (after collecting luggage if travelling with checked-in), almost non-existent. They just do random checks and after probably 30 or 40 arrivals at CDG I've never had one. I must look honest!

I was just trying to be helpful. Their transfer window is pretty narrow and some of us are not as spry as you.

 

[GraemeHall]

I was just trying to be helpful. Their transfer window is pretty narrow and some of us are not as spry as you,

Oh dear - sorry if my reply sounded critical. I was also trying to be helpful, suggesting that the formalities on arrival at CDG are not nearly as cumbersome and time-consuming as they are on entering some countries (including my own). I agree that there is only a fairly short window there for them, but providing the incoming flight is not late they should make it.

 

[edandjoan]

We were there on May 3 and the passport control lines were huge. We’ve never seen them like that before. Not sure how long it would take...maybe an hour or more. We were on Delta Sky Prioity which has a designated line with no wait.