Connecting with bags on separate tickets at CDG Airport
#31
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#33
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3.5 hours is enough time if your flight is on time or not substantially delayed. It is not enough time if there is a delay. Whether there is a delay for weather, mechanical, crowds at passport control or whatever, is not predictable beyond the next few hours.
The question to you is what it will cost to purchase new tickets on the day of travel if you are delayed and cannot obtain credit or rerouting under the onwards tickets? That is the risk factor.
#34
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May I suggest you give up on CDG? It is a horrible airport for transfers, and because it is not a Star Alliance hub, you can't check bags through. You would be much better off routing through MUC, FRA, ZRH, VIE, or BRU.
#35
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In in terms of the Access #1 pass, the global services rep standing at the end of the jet bridge after deplaning has them and gives me one when I tell them I’m GS. I don’t know if you are 1K or other business class where you would get one. Also I don’t have any experience with just using a J boarding pass for entry into the Access 1 queue. But apparently others have had success doing that.
To the OP, CDG is terrible for interterminal transfers. I would vote 3 hours minimum. Doable in less time yes, but you have to be pretty familiar with the airport and hope another widebody has not unloaded passengers before you. I’ve had coworkers regularly tell me about 1.5 hour immigration lines getting through T1 passport control.
#36
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Both are certainly doable and the first option may not add much additional cost. I recently did something similar by booking EWR-BRU then BUD-FRA-EWR and bought a separate Eurowings ticket in between BRU and BUD after spending a few days in the Brussels area.