Not bad for the French
terminal 2 : Departure check -in area and arrivals : Overcrowded especially near the arrival halls which are at same level as departure halls , very poorly lit ( one light in two in the ceiling is permanently off , concretewalls ,no touch of colour , no carpeting , ridiculously small and overcrowded seating areas .There are very few shops , no pharmacy, no entertainment areas , no kids play area ( except for a pharmacy and some shops in the underground areas between the terminals) ,In the gates areas there is very litllle or no carpeting, dirty floors , poor signage , improper management of queue lines . The immigration ques are inot well managed . The EEC counters is with the same queue as the non-EEC ,The customs officers dont' mind if the panels are not followed. which means that EEC including French citizens have to wait in line behind immigrants from Asia and Africa and the rest of the world. This airport is depressing and the people inside look depressed and sad. This is giving a sad image of France to the incoming crowds. It is outdated , There should be a huge size increase to widen the spaces and increase the shopping experience. The lounges are too small and overcrowded.
just in the middle of rating, I saw betters airport s(houston, amsterdam, san francisco, madrid), but "ugly" also (heathrow, roma, linate)
| smckinty |
January 24, 2007 |
Horrible place to layover. Uniformed airport staff smoking under No Smoking signs. No showers, not enough seats, restaurants or shops, no way to kill time. Welcome to Paris.
| fiorinacjoshi |
January 30, 2007 |
CDG is pretty good , makes most US airports look shabby and inefficient, as far as french ground people attitude , compared to the US security and immigration glowering and reudeness , the CDG folk are postively brilliant
The WORST transfer experience I have EVER had. Took 1hour 30mins to get from Terminal 2A to 2F. There was a near-stampede for the transfer bus when the first one arrived after 30 mins, and that was a small bus inadequate for the several hundred people waiting to transfer. No personnel were present to regulate the crowd. No information available about whether a transfer on foot was possible. Children, mothers with babes in arms, elderly, all pushed and shoved in the melee to get on the bus. Most people around me missed their connection. Once arrived at 2F, long queues at immigration desk, including EEA passport desk. And finally, just a single x-ray machine working at security before the gate at 2F, so that took another 45 mins. In all, the transfer took more than 2hrs 30 mins. I WILL NEVER FLY THROUGH CDG AGAIN.
| zivodal |
February 26, 2007 |
Definitely not the best in Europe. Lags behind its European competitors in particular on the cleanliness and availability of restrooms. Least to say. Service from staff is usually well below average, in particular with airport security who tend to be easily rude.
Needs a good, thorough clean, especially the toilets, many of which seem to stink (literally). Catering needs improvement as well- my child got food poisoning after eating in one of the restaurants. I didn't, but then I've got a strong stomach that has been used to Third-World food.
Traveling via CDG is about as pleasant as going via LHR (i.e. not very).
I am ashamed to be french when i see how bad they are...
| PaulJBoller |
March 23, 2007 |
Terminal 2B must be the worst designed terminal of any airport in Western Europe. In 42 years of international travel, I have never encountered a terminal in which arrival and departure passengers must "dump" into the same area and pass through the same passport control - Simply ghastly.
CDG (Terminal 2) rates as one of the worst major airports I've been through. The entire place seems dreary and dark - partially because it is, and partially because the people that work there let you know that it is. All of the public areas are far too small and completely uncomfortable. I have only been in one worse airport... Rio.
If ever there is an airport to avoid, it's CDG. DO NOT ATTEMPT a connection with less than 2 hours. I have had to fly through this abomination every year on DL from ATL going to OSL and return. Going through security twice with enormous lines, nasty people, a lack of common courtesy, and just a dirty airport make for a miserable experience. And, of course, if you're flying to the US you get "shuttled" out to your airplane -- at least until the terminal that collapsed is finally finished. Avoid CDG at all costs. If not, don't say you weren't forewarned.
Awful place
This airport is a completely mess. I use it only if I need to go to Paris, I avoid changes planes in Paris if at all possible.
Arrived by Air France 747 to terminal 2. 45 minute wait upon arrival for stairs and bus. Thank god we were at front of the plane as the folks in the back probably had another hour wait for the 30 minute bus ride around the airport to passport control.
Baggage took another 30 minutes.
For departure we arrived 3 hours early and made the second last shuttle bus out to the plane due to excessive lines and waits at nearly every queue. Would suggest arriving minimum 4 hours before your departure if flying to U.S.. If your flight leaves before 11 AM stay at or very near CDG the night before.
Loved Paris and France but next time we'll avoid CDG.
Tres mal, amis! A thousand time yuck! The airport is filthy and the terminal layout is bizarre. That said, the staff is always friendly (compared to those at US airports). If you're flying in on an international flight, be prepared to wait for a bus rather than a jet way. The customs area is under construction that seems to progress not at all.
Terminal 2E is wonderful, well designed and very beautiful modern architecture which fits very well with the other older terminal. Unfortunately 2E has been closed for long time, because it collapsed partially few months after the inauguration. Usually Air France force you to get connection with only 50 minutes between the two flights. It seems to be good on paper, when you can really get the connection, but do not expect to have your baggage at arrival. The handling is very poor, they ALWAYS lose baggages if you have a short connection.
Lousy airport in nowhere with no f..ng services with no capability to accommodate for delays nor some late minute shopping. RECOMMEND TO AVOID WHENEVER POSSIBLE!
CDG T1 is the subject of many jokes and horror stories. Prior travels to Pairs, we landed at T2 (contrary to many reviews, we had only good experiences). BUT T1 IS A WHOLE 'NOTHER STORY. Lots of construction, areas with few or no restrooms, dreary, and very, very confusing. -Yikes- even the folks who work there get lost, so ask directions, but be sure to get a second opinion before committing to a preStar Trek age beige tunnel or plexiglass tube. Signs are quite ambiguous. Allow extra time if you land here, and be sure to bring a compass.
Very difficult to find anything e.g. spent over 45 minutes trying to find ground transport to downtown Paris. There were no signs, and no one to ask directions in T 2F - I found the ground transport departure point by accident.
worst god damn experience of my life, rude staff, who let you say what you need, then say they can't speak english, don't know they way round their own airport, and genarally ignore you , took 1/2 hour to get off plane onto the bus, then held on the bus 1/2 hour at the terminal, not enough signs to help you find the way between terminals...guess what missed connecting flight, resulting in overnight stay at the airport t hotal ....and theres another tale. I will never travel through that airport again
Best advice is to avoid this airport if at all possible.
Why is there virtually no signage in Terminals 2d and 2f????
For a major hub airport, CDG offers pretty short walks. Very good connectivity to TGV and Thalys trains. The iarport terminals slowly show a sign of ageing, however the concept is really good for an airport of this size.
Worst airport in europe. very rude people...
Personnel very unpolite, they talk and talk... They are moving extreemly slow which results in long lines. It seems that the local "franciliens" do not mind to wait for hours in any occasion. Bottom line: take TGV to Brussels or Amsterdam airports and avoid CDG airport whenever possible.
And we thought the French were rude! Just wait until you fly in and out of CDG. They must have all had their start by working at this airport. Nasty place with rude employees. I've had better times in EWR.
| pascal75 |
October 13, 2007 |
One of the most messy airport I have ever seen! The #1 european interconnection hub... I really wonder how they can make it, because it is probably the worse airport to connect with... The only positive point is the opening of the brand new Satellite 3 of the CDG2E terminal which is full of light and clean. It's a miracle Air France can work so well with such a hopeless "working tool". Let's hope the privatisation of Aeroports De Paris will make things move in the right direction. It is high time!
| ctb11365 |
October 28, 2007 |
Love the city, hate the airport!
| segab79 |
November 12, 2007 |
JUST TERRIBLE !!!
| dinosawus |
November 20, 2007 |
CDG T2 looks pretty but does not work. As many here have noted CDG is a very bad airport for transfers because of the terrible bus service to connect the various terminals 2A - 2F. If you land at 2E but your connecting flight leaves from 2F you will need to wait for the bus to arrive then travel to 2A, 2B, 2C... wait while the driver chats to his mates while your next flight takes off and you arrive at 2F 1 hour later even though its only a 10 minute walk apart. Totally Crazy. The staff at CDG know this and are as frustrated as the passengers. It is very important to complete a complaint form and hand into the information stand so that management will open their eyes to the problem. I feel most sorry for the French people who have been cheated by the architects and planners.
CDG is a candidate for "World's worst airport" - if you disregard certain African airports. Unfriendly and arrogant staff. Inefficient staff. T1 is a joke. A BAD joke!! It looks like it has not been cleaned since opening in the 70's. T2 impossible to find your way around. The reason for the crowds in T2 is probably that everybody is lost! Don't even attempt to ask any staff for information! And don't never ever try and transfer between terminals unless you have an extra week's holidays.
| colinrn |
December 15, 2007 |
CDG was used to transfer into and out of Europe. This is by far the worst airport experience I have ever endured. Beginning with very poor or non-existent signage, one follows the crowd to the transfer area which is nothing short of out of control chaos. Passengers obviously concerned at missing their connections are scurrying under the passenger control barricades to reach the required terminal gate, while hundreds of others are queing up at the official security points. Airport officials are most unhelpful when asked for advice, and failed to control the situation. The toilets are disgusting, the seating areas are totally inadequate, and the place is generally dirty. Having passed through this airport twice in the space of 10 days, both visits were pretty much the same. In future, I will do everything in my power to AVOID FRANCE and its main airport. This place is really the pits. Sorry France, you are doing yourself no favours with this airport.
This airport is terrible and the "new" 2E is the worst: 1h to get the luggage delivered, 1h at the counter to get checked-in, all stores in the waiting area closed, packes in a bus that waited 15 minutes in the cold before driving us to the plane.
This is really a shame and give a bad image of France to foreigners. Like if French officials did not want anybody to visit Paris.
| kannanag |
February 11, 2008 |
18 th century airport, need lots of update. Not a good hub for international traveller, especialy if you do not know French. Good air port for porks.
| zaid.jassim |
March 01, 2008 |
one of the worst I ever experienced
By far the worst airport ever!
It was smelly, inconvenient, and the service there was a total bitch!
worst airport worldwide! Try to avoid it!
| paigepersad |
March 31, 2008 |
I'm honestly surprised at my relatively positive experience at CDG. Of course, I only passed through and then it was a rather slow Sunday morning. Our plane arrived at 2D and our connection was in 2E. I needed some information on my connection that wasn't on the Departures board. I asked an Air France rep and she got the information to me quickly and politely. The lounge was clean. Most of the seats had the annoying immovable arms between the chairs, but there were a few stretches of three seats without arms between them, so a person could lay down. In addition, there were only about five or six very comfortable chairs that resembled real lounge chairs. There were children's play areas with TV's, and there were pay Playstation3 terminals. The internet stations were pay (of course), but the automated machines only accept Euros and not credit cards, which I found inconvenient. Food outlets were scarce and served little more than sandwiches. (I would have liked to eat a cooked meal, as we were traveling from the Middle East to the USA which takes about 24 hours, but oh, well...) The woman who served our food spoke English and was a bit slow, but wasn't rude or nasty with me. I liked the architecture, and found it peaceful and restful. I've read the other reviews on this site and others, and found that people generally hate this airport. With this in mind, I had really expected the worst from CDG. Perhaps they've cleaned up their act?
the worst airport I know
TO BE AVOIDED BY ALL MEANS
The worst I ever experienced again
| barbra34210 |
June 03, 2008 |
Avoid CDG at all costs!!World´s worst airport.
| mzunguhozru |
June 04, 2008 |
It is difficult to imagine what an airport and a country could do to make an international transfer more sterile and unwelcoming. 4 hours in terminal E is a lifetime. No bars, no restaurants, just a couple of snack bars serving stale sandwiches. Even the shopping, what little there is except for perfume. Surly hostile staff;. even the rest rooms close 3 hours before final boarding of flights. An example of french hospitality at its worst!
Did not like this airport. Arriving from Barcelona with 1:30 time between flights, should be plenty of time. After a long walk following transfer connection signs, I was led past the luggage delivery belt and out. I decided to talk a walk around, I wanted a restaurant. Took a look at the railway station, no restaurant only a bread shop. I decided to go to my terminal, 2G, which according to the map in the plane magazine had an off location. The signs showing 2G led me to a bus stop. A bus arrived and after a long ride of 5-10 minutes I arrived at this terminal. Also a security check must be gone thru, luckily no long queue. The staff wanted to speak French. I can read some, but not understand it. At normal airports transfer passengers do not have to pass security. There were no restaurant, only bread and coffee and similar was available. I bought chocolate at the newspaper shop.
The 2G terminal is apparently new and meant for somewhat smaller planes, where the passengers will walk outdoors to the plane, á la Ryanair, but this was Air France, destination Gothenburg. So I passed the big CDG airport seeing some boring halls, but without seeing a restaurant. From the airport map I could see they exist in some big departure areas, but only for those with a boarding pass to them.
Once again I was there in easter this year. Terrible, the worst I ever experienced. I prey and prey and ask my agent, dont send me to this airport.
Build a new one as soon as possible and look to Schipool.
The recent renovations to terminal 1 have had little effect on its useability. It is still cramped, overcrowded and disorientating. Total line-up times AFTER check-in can be greater than one hour with often six to eight immigration counters open to serve the whole terminal at peak times. It is a disgrace for a first world country and should be demolished.
My flight over memorial day weekend on US Airways was tainted by my experience with flight attendant Florian and the lack of good service provided by him and support by the station manager Marie.
CDG.no thanks ! I missed my connection twice and it took me 2 HOURS to passed immigration !
My child's stroller was broken on the flight from Toronto to charles de gaulle airport. I was unable to take the shuttle bus after completing my damage package form so I had to walk for 30 minutes.I used a dolly to push the broken stroller around from one end to the other. And once I got to my gate I was astonished by an officer being rude to me asking me why did I bring the stroller here instead of feeling for what I have gone through. He was rude and very, very impolite. He asked me to return the stroller back, he screamed at me and pushed it to the side. I have not enjoyed being in this airport and I will do my very best not to ever travel to France or have any connecting flights from this crappy airport. It is very sad to see that the airport employes people like this (no people skills). I asked for his name and he refused to give it to me. I would love to hear from anyone with has authority in charles de gaulle airport. Thanks for reading
| listerscat |
February 28, 2009 |
I had two experiences at CDG in the last month, on both legs of a trip to Hanover, Germany from JFK on Air France.
This involved going from the international terminal 2E to the regional terminal 2G. Both coming and going were an absolute nightmare.... Where do I start...
I had just about 50 minutes of scheduled transfer time in each direction. Both legs brought me to CDG on a mid-week late afternoon.
On the incoming leg my flight was about 15 minutes late (not uncommon from JFK...). We waited for 10 minutes in our birth before the jetway driver showed up to open the plane... Once I had exited, I tried to get directions from Air France personnel who vaguely waived me towards one end of the terminal. After rushing at a break-neck power-walking pace on people movers for 10 minutes I got to the center of the terminal, found another airport rep, and they pointed me to a shuttle bus!!! After a further 5 minutes of finding the right poorly marked exit and asking various bus drivers to clarify their poorly marked bus routes, I got on a shuttle, waited another 5 minutes for it to depart, and ***ten minutes later*** was delivered to terminal 2E where I ran in and was promptly informed that my flight had already departed. I want to clarify that I am a very fit New Yorker, accustomed to walking very, very fast, and with a combination of this walking + people movers + jogging + no passport control wait (one bright spot on this leg, I guess) it took me about 55 minutes to negotiate the 2E -> 2G transfer... I had to wait 2 hours for another flight, which then had mechanical problems requiring a new aircraft to be swapped in meaning I was over three hours late to my destination, leaving my girlfriend twiddling her thumbs at Hanover...
On my return flight I was prepared. Although filled with apprehension, I boarded my plane in Hanover and arrived at CDG ten minutes early! Wow! Ok... Great, I thought. I know the drill... Out I ran to the shuttle bus, having deciphered the cryptic terminal destinations on the bus route signs on my previous visit.... 15 minutes later I was at the shuttle stand at Terminal E..... Uh. I'm at E69. Where do I go? There were no markings on the several entrances in different directions available at the shuttle stand. I entered the closest one, and proceeded to wander through Terminal E in the vague direction of gates higher than 30... I found an airport rep, who gestured me up an escalator. I found another rep who gestured me toward a security check-in... What? I already got controlled on my incoming flight... Ok.... So, after my boarding pass was checked I was motioned to a specific line. I went through the cue for a while, and as I approached the security que I noticed a sign (not visible from the entrance to the que) that said that my gate was not behind that security control... Ahhhh! I backtracked to the beginning of the que line, flagged down another rep., and they pointed me down another corridor... I had just gotten all the metallic objects back in to my pockets (while speeding down the corridor), when I ran in to another security control checkpoint... This security checkpoint was the most invasive one I have ever experienced. They made me take everything with a wire out of my bag (I'm a computer tech/gadget freak... *lots of wires and shiny things.....*. I had to boot my laptop, take *everything* out of my pockets for a patdown (even though they didn't wand me), etc... I thought they were going to cavity search me... Mind you, this was *after* I had already been controlled at my originating airport. I have never had such a poor security experience, even at JFK or LGA.
After more than a ten minute delay at security (despite no line), I was aimed down a kilometer long hallway, at the end of which was..... not my gate. I had to go back to near the cecurity point and go the opposite direction. I was beginning to think that the airport personnel were deliberately misleading me. After about a kilometer and a half of walking I rounded a turn and found an Air France staffer yelling "New York!!?" I nodded, and she radioed the gate, I got there along with two other out-of-breath people. Then, in one last insult, a security officer *again* asked me to open and boot my laptop *at the gate*.
This is the most miserable air-travel experience I've ever had. The signs, personnel and security at CDG are abominable, redundant and ineffective. The layout of the outlying terminals is very poorly managed and the whole place has a "wandering in the wilderness" feel.
***** A V O I D T H I S A I R P O R T A T A L L C O S T *****
| Zuckuss |
September 16, 2008 |
Terminal 2F, jesus... my god it sucks. Glass ceiling that offers little protection in regards of heat shield on a sunny day. Ventilation almost non existent...
Pier layout designer should be punished firmly. Center of pier is occupied with crap cafés that you won't buy anything from anyways since the ques are to long. On both sides of occupied center are "walkways" that takes you passed the gate areas, it's very narrow. When flights are about to board naturally human nature feels compelled to stand up and and que effectively blocking of the walkway. I personally witnessed 2 gates, one on either side of the center, experiencing problems boarding at the same time resulting in a complete block of the entire pier for all people wanting to access gate areas further down the pier since walkways were blocked by queing people. Excellent design and proof of thourough research....
| Burningbush |
December 19, 2008 |
This airport is horrible. I went to Paris once and im NEVER x 10000 coming back to France. French are addicted to smoking you cant pass one terminal without staff smoking under NO SMOKING signs. Sorry French but you treat Americans like trash might as well spit in my face. As soon as you speak english they treat you like trash. In Paris it's as bad as it is in the airport I actually got called a stupid american Paris people are rude and selfish. Never again am I go to France expensive and worthless.
Not as terrible as Heathrow, but still: what a mess! Depressing and confusing. Always lost. No signs. Impossible to walk between terminals. French is the language of choice ("international" airport).When I fly Airfrance/KLM I go via Amsterdam.
| Angry business man |
June 28, 2009 |
Angry Business Traveller:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQmMHZ8nyyw
| tom.hull |
October 22, 2009 |
This is an awful airport. Transferring from a local to international flight is a grim experience, as the security wait is an hour or more. Once you are past security, there are no passenger amenities to speak of - no restaurants, bars, lounges, etc. This is the worst developed country airport I have ever been in.
3.6
2.6
1.9
