If you've never been to CDG, trust me you will have difficulty finding your way around. The first time I was there I was laughing aloud about how ridiculously un-user friendly it was. That said, passport control is usually a breeze and they don't even stamp most passports.

agree , was there last may at t2 . Had difficulty locating the check in aisle for Qantas. The terminal is ever so long from 2A to 2 E ... etc, its cold hard floor, almost empty (we were on an afternoon flight) there was hardly anyone that you could ask for help and if you found someone thay cant speak english. Imagine having to lug yr heavy baggage on the never ending lane to another and another and another and finally there is someone that you could ask and it turns out to be wrong, The signs not helpful, vague directions. not a well designed terminal.

There are maps that show you the layout of the terminals. There are signs in english. There are also shuttles between the terminals in case you dont want to walk. There are also baggage carts. The signage might not be the best but all you have to do is read the map.

Indeed - though I guess not all airports can be as fun and user-friendly as, say, landing at ATL-Hartsfield's Terminal E.

I tried to be open minded about CDG terminal 1 as I had only connected through there before and thought that the condition of the terminal was due to a hectic weekend. Check in with NW wasn't smooth but I think it was NW final day in that terminal. Experienced no problem with customs or inspections besides a poor restaurant referral.

On the RER, the signage inside the train shows the stop marked Terminal 1 but when you arrive, you aren't in Terminal 1. You arrive in a new looking concrete structure.

The sign pointing the way to terminal 1 isn't well located to see as you step off the escalator unless you know to turn left at the top and then look for the sign. I had been warned of having to take the shuttle to Terminal 1 but pity those who don't know ahead.

Inside the terminal, there is one woman's toilet down the basement by the McDonald's and it is very hard to find. Beware if you find it, it's the filthiest, most vile mess in a bathroom ever seen and I used to work at a nursing home.

The cafeteria down there is a total tourist rip off where they charge more for the per plate supplement than they do for the meal. And don't warn you ahead of time about these excess rip off charges. Then they hide behind the language when you complains. They say it's the system and agree it's unfair but that's just the way it is.

It really amazes me how an amazing city like Paris can have such a crap airport.

I had to face CDG T1 last month on a rainy Monday at 7 AM and it was exceedingly grim. The UA lounge was nice, though, with good coffee, fresh croissants, and smiles from the staff.

As opposed, say, to the exhiliration of JFK or the undiluted pleasure of Heathrow.

Bravo.

I think the problem with CDG is that as soon as you leave the immigration area and out to the main terminal/arrivals area you are greeted by a wide variety of people of all different ethnicities and economic classes. It can be daunting to try and push your way through everyone who is waiting for their loved one coming from XXX blended in with folks pushing their carts through towards check in. It can be rather unnerving if you have only experienced airports with barricades separating the passengers from the greeters (LHR) as an example.

I don't mind it so much, I used to scramble through there to get to the AA CDG arrivals lounge pushing my way through (excusez-moi, excusez-moi) to get to the stairs that would lead you there. However, now I'm more apt to wend my way through the crowd towards the RER/TGV station and wonder where all these folks are going.

As far as terminal 1 is concerned. I liked the habitrail like qualities of it and the very cool TWA check in desk (for Ambassador Elites), with all that mosaic tile, it was very retro.

The duty free in terminal one was/is better than AA's terminal 2 duty free for sure.


lala

Was at CDG today and noticed a couple of things.

1. The automatic vending machines for RER tickets to Paris still do not take US credit cards.

2. There was some construction going on at 2F and they had a sign up indicating they are building a new tram line to connect the terminals. ^

Did they have any completion date estimate?

Come on, crowd, CDG T1 (located in Roissy en France, not Paris btw., if you ever have to program a car navigation to get you there ) is an architectural masterpiece of the later 60s and mid 70s.

Opened in '74 T1 still, more than 30 years later, is a postmodern structure of incontestable beauty for anyone who sees architecture as a looking glass of contemporary history. I travel to CDG two to three times a month and each time I go there (Sat. 6 on LH, most of the times) I am stunned again by this momument of the "grande nation's" achievements.

Of course the satellite concept is antiquated, the automated walk ways often don't work and driving an S class mercedes through the cramped and narrow driveways of T1's structure is a real pain in the a**.

But I salute Paul Andreu for this, his first of many masterpieces including Beijing's new opera house, the Grande Arche of La Defense and many, many airport terminals throughout the world, though I regret that CDG 2E was one of his not so fortunate designs as one could witness last May.

In France the very best estimation date is "when its done".

Seriously, they didnt give one and I could find nothing on the ADP website.

:-: ^ :-: ^ :-: ^ :-: ^

I completely agree with you bob! I am excited about the renovation and can't wait to see it with all of the years of grime removed.