Paris CDG Airport

Arrived over 3 hours in advance. We were flying from CDG to Frankfurt and on to New York. I tried to print my boarding pass from the ticket kiosk but was unable to due to a computer glitch so told I had to get it taken care of at the check-in desk. Stood in line for 1.5 hours before I realized it really wasn't moving and asked one of the Air France staff what I should do. I had to wait for at least another 1/2 hour. Every staff member I talked to said "Oh it's no problem. You will make your flight. Don't worry." I was right to worry. By the time we reached the counter the flight was leaving in 30 minutes. It was too late to get our bags on the plane even if they could have printed out a boarding pass for us. They then sent us to the Air France ticketing desk and assured us that Air France would get us out on another flight same day. No. Air France sent us to Delta (a whole other terminal) who were able to get us out the following day. I understand computer glitches happen and were not the fault of CDG but their queuing and check-in policies exacerbated the problem immensely. Our arrival at CDG was fine but departing from there is manic and disorganized beyond belief. Individually many of the people who tried to help us were very nice and did the best they could with the circumstances but the queuing check-in and ticketing procedures are not customer friendly at all.

I travel frequently in Europe and I absolutely avoid changing planes at CDG due to the messes described by the other reviewers here. Those comments are absolutely true. This time I was vacationing in France so I figured that just arriving and departing from CDG could not be that bad right? Wrong. Arriving at Terminal 1 proved to be an absolute disaster. The facilities are operating at a multiple of their capacities with too few restrooms for example. The baggage area was clearly too small for even one or two arriving planes; people crowding around while waiting for their luggage created a jam where no one could get in or out or around. There was just not enough square footage for everyone and it is probably a dangerous situation. Even getting through the final customs check to embrace your loved ones was a crowded bottleneck involving a pushing/shoving battle just to somehow get through the maddening crowd. The parking and layout of the rest of the airport is confusing and illogical but we figured it out. Departing from Terminal 1 is even worse. Check in is okay but once you go through the first boarding pass check (ticketed passengers only) you take the escalator upstairs to see the real problem. You will stand in line for a minimum of one hour to get through the passport control. There were only two windows open for all departing passengers and those two officials took their time! I was up there two hours before my departure time and I nearly missed the plane. I have never just walked on a plane and had them shut the door but this is what happened. Everyone was in the same boat. The boarding announcements started while we were still in this non-moving line and everyone got very nervous. To run to the gate while they make the final boarding announcement and then realize you still need to go through security. It is all very unsettling. I would advise anyone who is using Terminal 1 to be upstairs three hours before your departure time. Perhaps this way you will be able to have a coffee before your flight but that is doubtful based on how things run upstairs.

Maybe it is true that most of the people that write reviews do it because they have a gripe. We are sitting at the gate at CDG in Terminal 2F having received excellent directions in English a very short wait at check-in and a quick trip through security and passport control. The directional signs are large very large easy to read and well located. All of the Air France personnel were polite and spoke English. Overall a pleasant experience and zero complaints. Perhaps the International Terminal has been upgraded but I didn't see any of the issues mentioned in the other reviews that raises some concerns about what our departure from France would be like. We typically arrive several hours early for an International flight and print our Boarding Passes the day prior to departure both of which makes life easier. Our flight departs at 10.30 am so it's not like we are getting on the first flight of the morning. And the terminal is air conditioned.

I arrived at Paris CDG in very good time (1.5 hours before take off). The way the queues were organised was quite unacceptable. It was ghastly everyone trying to push in. Just not enough room for so many travellers. We were squashed all the way. There were not enough gates and personnel to deal with the volume. Most of the time was taken trying to get up to the passport check desks. It was a bit quicker when they moved the EU passports to one side. Stress worrying one might miss the plane. I got to gate 53 10 mins before take off. Air France has a very good boarding print out service which saves time. I had no baggage to check in. Lanes should be split early on. Children with family checks could also be another queue at holiday time. Makes you hate flying.

What can I add that hasn't already been said. This airport is a classic example of everything an airport shouldn't be. Lack of meaningful signage long line ups and confused personnel add up to utter chaos. If you are using this airport as a transit point and you have connecting flights make sure you have hours to waste because even with a 3-4 hour layover you may just make your flight - you will be standing in line most of that time or you will be hopelessly confused trying to make sense of this place and searching for someone who can actually help you. If you are traveling to Europe - Frankfurt is a much better choice as a transit point.

I travelled through this airport with Air France terminal 2E and was dismayed at the fact only 2 passport control windows were open meaning because of the queue there was a chance I could miss my flight having left ample time checking in. I spoke to two people but they just said stay in the queue but nobody actually seemed to take any notice or listen eventually a member of staff made a call and all of a sudden there were more border control points opened. Also I was going to purchase a drink to take on board but at the price decided not to bother as it was a total rip off at least only having a 1 hour flight I could wait.

Using CDG as a transit between South Africa and Ireland on a business trip - To get something to eat is a mission only two very bad and pricey standard places selling food. The general attitude of the passport control staff is terrible - wine bought in duty free shop in South Africa and sealed were confiscated even though AF staff in JNB said it would not be a problem - I could however buy wine at CDG and take that to Ireland!

Flying to DTW on AF. Couldn't have been easier or more pleasant. Admittedly we printed our boarding passes and do NOT check baggage and arrived 3 hours early. After passport control we were directed to take a train to the M gates Here security was very efficient. The lounge and shopping area is attractive. There are several places to get food: Starbucks Pauls EXK and a restaurant with a plat de jour for 10 euros. Waiting area at the gates is comfortable and the toilettes are elegantly modern. Souvenirs are pricey. If you've ever flown from DTW with its endless hikes mediocre food (with one exception) etc you'll be very pleasantly surprised. A suggestion: if you are two or more order a taxi the night before.

This concerns CDG 2D Departures. On arrival there are no shopping or refreshment facilities. There is an intermediate "holding area" which once entered cannot be left. And you are trapped. There's no possibility of an early check-in. This area has minimal refreshment facilities and if you arrive early then you have to sit and wait until your check-in opens. The check in procedure was a zoo. They had to open additional check-in counters for budget airlines at the expense of scheduled airline check-ins. As a seasoned business traveller I found this unacceptable. Once checked in you are through to airside. which offers paltry refreshments at astounding prices. And the shopping facilities would look poor against a souk. Provincial airports in Siberia are better.

There were no decent eating options available in Terminal 2E. All they have is a food court where the food is prepared way ahead of time and heated up when you order. I was expecting a French restaurant inside the terminal. Even small airports in the US have a decent restaurant. The immigration line at arrival can be quite long some times not all counters seem to be open even if the line is long. The French don't believe in air conditioning and the arrival hall can become pretty warm when there is a big crowd.