Help please for inexperienced fliers!!!

[Ware Bears]

Change of plans for us ~ we're now flying into CDG.

We're going to book a shuttle service to get to/from DLRP. My question is ~ what time should I book it for on my departure day? Our flight leaves at 21.30 with last check-in time at 21.00.

 

[ryan.stephens]

I think the company that operates the VEA Shuttle Bus recommends that you leave at least 2 1/2hrs before your departure time so you would have around 45 minutes to spare in case of a slight traffic jam or a long queue a check-in as the shuttle journey is 45 minutes long and most airports want you to check-in an hour before your flight leaves.

 

[Hollytigs]

Yeah, don't aim to be there for 21:00 as that is when check-in closes. You can probably check in from 19:30, and personally I always try to arrive 2 hours prior to departure, especially since security got tighter, as it can take a while to get through all the queues!

 

[wideeyes]

I would say 6pm, possibly 6.30pm, you want to get to check in couple of hours before it closes.

 

[Bexx]

Do you know which terminal you are flying from Elaine?

 

[Jazzman67]

Elaine,

I'm experienced in travelling by air. I'd plan on leaviing the hotel
at least 3 hours ahead of time. There's always a line during the last
hour. If you have young kids, checking in 2 hours ahead of your
scheduled flight is ideal. You'll have time to relax before your flight
and you won't have kids being grumpy from standing in line.

Have your passport and tickets together before arriving at the
airport. Pack your liquids that you don't need on the plane in the
ordinary luggage going on the plane. You can buy liquids on the plane
for the kids. If you have a baby, show your bottle with milk at the
security gate.That should be ok to bring on.

if you prepare with proper packing, you should have no problems with
traveling by air.

 

[disneyangel]

Elaine

Are you going with Air France . If so I would check in online during the day and then leave about 7-7.30pm as you'll only have to go to the luggage drop queue.

It aso ensure you don't get caught in the overbooking fiasco we had at Christmas. It's definitely going to my tactic in May/June

 

[Ware Bears]

Do you know which terminal you are flying from Elaine?

Terminal 2F. I have just been familiarising myself with the plan on your fabulous Useful Info Sticky!

Thanks everyone We had thought of booking the car for 5.30pm or 6pm. I've watched far too many of those Airline programmes to risk getting there too late I'd much rather be at the airport and relax rather than be sat in a traffic jam having kittens that we will be late!

Angela, we are flying with Air France. Thanks for the advice about doing online check-in during the day, I will bear this in mind but will still book the car for an early time just to be on the safe side.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks everyone We had thought of booking the car for 5.30pm or 6pm. I've watched far too many of those Airline programmes to risk getting there too late I'd much rather be at the airport and relax rather than be sat in a traffic jam having kittens that we will be late!

That's always been my logic too

 

[scoobysnax]

I think the company that operates the VEA Shuttle Bus recommends that you leave at least 2 1/2hrs before your departure time so you would have around 45 minutes to spare in case of a slight traffic jam or a long queue a check-in as the shuttle journey is 45 minutes long and most airports want you to check-in an hour before your flight leaves.

I was there last week.... the last VEA is 8PM. It took 35 minutes.
There were loads of taxis outside Terminal1 and one tried twice to use him, kept pointing at the €€ price for VEA and assuring us he would do "same price, same price", but we said no.

The RER will still be running and probably quicker, but involves (simple) changes. We used that to return from DLP to CDG on Friday

 

[Ware Bears]

Thanks scoobysnax but as there are 5 of us we are going to book a private car. It will only be a few euros more.

 

[Disney owl]

I'd eat before you go . Food at CDG airport isn't very good but they do have MacDonalds if stuck!

 

[Ware Bears]

Thank you! That's a very good excuse to book a late lunch at the Lucky Nugget, me thinks!