Family departing CDG
Mar 1, 2019, 9:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Family departing CDG
For my family of four departing CDG on a Saturday morning (mid-April) out of T1 (Aer Lingus) to DUB, how much time to we need to allow after arriving at CDG T1 to comfortably check-in, clear security and get to the gate? It is a 10 AM departure and we will have zero status. Also traveling with 5 and 8 year old kids so I need to allow for a slower travel pace...
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Mar 3, 2019, 12:32 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Platinum for life/Club2000 Ultimate, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 21,927
The longest line is usually the passport control to exit the Schengen area, and this is unpredictable but 10 am is a busy time. I would arrive at the airport 2hrs before flight. Not less than 90 min.
Mar 6, 2019, 10:05 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Paris, France
Programs: United, TAP Victoria, AVIOS
Posts: 480
I go through terminal 1 fairly often and 45 minutes to 1 hour in the passport control line is very common. If you are checking luggage, I would, at an absolute minimum, be at the check in desk no later than 2 hours before your scheduled departure. 2+30 would not be too soon.
Mar 6, 2019, 10:18 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
Thank you all for the responses - very helpful and right in line with what I was thinking.
Plan on arriving 2+ hours at the check-in desk. ^
Plan on arriving 2+ hours at the check-in desk. ^
Mar 6, 2019, 11:59 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
I arrived at CDG T1 with my family at 7:00 AM for a 9:45 departure on a Saturday last August. Check-in was a madhouse. Although I had time to get us all checked in, file for a VAT refund, have a quick bite at the gate (I don't recommend Le Brioche Dorée!), and even to play a couple of tunes on the piano at the gate, we did not feel relaxed. We had wheelchair assistance which got us through security and through the airport faster than other passengers. I think two hours would be too little with kids their age. I'd plan to arrive two and a half hours early.