Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
2011 Worst Airport
RUNNER-UP
In this section you will find some traveller comments and airport reviews as well as our CDG Airport Guide with info on WiFi, lounges, facilities and services....and yes, even the names of nearby hotels if you really can't handle it...ha!
Traveller Comments....
New Improvements at CDG. This is the Soundcorner which was added in 2011. (Terminal 2E, Airside)
Photo by Aéroports de Paris
" I asked security if its ok to sleep here and they welcomed me warmly. They said that I should just find some isolated corner and I could sleep on the floor in my sleeping bag. I slept next to a huge window and what can I say... Better than the hostels :D." - kekkosen
"I thought those who rated CDG as the worst airport in the world were crazy. This is because my first impression of CDG was of the Air France terminal, and it was beautiful so I thought. Not until last week when I went through Terminals 3 and 1. Terminal 3 is worst than a 3rd world country airport. It looked like a warehouse. "- scientifico_0729
"Around 12 midnight Air France staff appeared at gate 32 (Terminal 2E) with free packs for overnight stayers. The pack comprised a foam roll out mattress/sheet, inflatable pillow, eye patch, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste and a bottle of water!!! Fantastic." - rudraksh2005
Recent Review
by Leilah
"Everything that has been said prior is very very very true. After being stranded 5 days in this God forsaken airport of hell, i did finally managed to make it slightly livable.
1. I spent my first few nights in the check in area near the Delta kiosk. There was a dinning facility that closed in the evening and didn't seem to mind us vagabonds sleeping on their rather large semi-circle couch. I actually managed to get a good nights sleep in this area and would advise it if you can't get to my second suggestion...
2. I flew out of terminal 2e (delta) on my 3rd night I made a GLORIOUS discovery. If you go to the very far left all the way to the end of the terminal you will see an area that dips down, in this area there are 15 or so lounge chairs. They are extremely comfortable and I was able to get excellent sleep. As an added bonus a woman came as it began getting dark and gave us bottled water, blankets, and a mat. I was able to sleep there the entire night and was simply asked to go back through security and check in in the morning (i didnt have a ticket for a departing flight that day yet as I was flying stand-by and was stranded from the night before.)
3. Grocery store in CDG. There is one. For the life of me I cannot remember exactly where but it was within one of the 2 terminals (as in 2e, 2c, 2d) and is within walking distance from 2e. The prices are reasonable and considering CDG has a terrible food selection this was a life saver found on my 3rd day."
The last review for this airport was in 2012. Have you been there recently? Tell us about it!
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Guide
Landside, Terminal 2E, photo by ?
There are 3 Terminals, but Terminal 2 is actually 7 satellite terminals. If you are in transit, you should know which terminal you will be arriving and which one you need to go. You should plan for extra time to navigate your way to and from your gate as the signage is reportedly quite poor in some areas. In 2012, transiting from the 2A to 2C terminals will be much easier as a their project to connect the terminals will be completed.
While there have been some complaints about airport staff, I received a courteous and prompt response when I made an inquiry through their web site. Additionally my own experience with security guards and the RELAY store attendant at the airport was very pleasant. The security guards were even concerned for my safety and "sympathized" with my situation when they recommended that I sleep somewhere more out in the open. Both the guards and store attendant voluntarily spoke English, as I did not speak French.
Based on my own experience and those of recent reviewers indicate that Paris CDG is improving for airport sleepers and in transit travellers. They are even getting the homeless situation under control. Keep it up Paris!
Airport Lounges
- Icare Lounge - Terminal 1 - located Airside in the International section. Here you'll find large armchairs, deep sofas and soft lighting. WiFi, drinks and buffet meals are also included. Rate: 30 EUR for 3 hours.
- United Red Carpet Club Lounge - Location: Terminal 1. Rate: day passes are available for US$ 35-50
- American Admiral's Club - Location: Terminal 2A. Rate: day passes are available for US$ 50
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge - Location: Terminal 2A. Rate: CA$ 30-55 depending on the fare of your ticket
Airport WiFi / Internet
- Free wireless internet access is available at Paris CDG for 15 minutes. Beyond that, you can pay a fee to extend your time. You can buy time cards at the Relay Stores or you can do it directly online. I paid EUR 4.50 for a measly 1 hour connection. I believe the day pass was EUR 9.95 (valid only on the day you begin to use it). Don't buy a day pass an 10PM, because you will only get to use the WiFi for 2 hours....the day pass is only good for the day you start to use it.
- Atlanteam Cyber Cafe. Rates start at 2 EUR/15 minutes. Located airside in Terminals 1, 2E and 3.
- Multimedia Terminals. Rates: €0.15 for 1 minutes. Located: airside and landside in all terminals
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the CDG Airport does not appeal to you, there are hotels at the airport....
- Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel - located at Terminal 2 across from the RER Station
- Novotel CDG Terminal - a few minutes walk from Terminal 3
- Hilton Charles de Gaulle Airport - 5 minutes from the airport. Free shuttle from Terminal 2F.
- Ibis Paris Airport - walking distance from Terminal 3
Airport Facilities & Services
- Food / Dining
There are no 24 hour food concessions available in the terminals. There are vending machines.
- Luggage Storage / Lockers
Bagages du Monde offers a luggage storage service (6 hours minimum).
Location: Terminals 1, 2A and 2F. - Showers
The Air France Arrivals Lounge is rumoured to have one. Unless you are are Premier flyer, you won't be seeing it! - Travelling with kids
The one thing this airport seems to focus on is keeping unruly children entertained before their flight. This airport can cope with pissed off, miserable adults, but screaming, crying children....that's where they draw the line. You'll find a number of play areas, coin operated games and PlayStation 3 stations throughout the terminals (airside). Airport sleepers in transit will want to avoid setting up camp near these areas.
The airport has a goofy airport mascot, named Gus, who roams the airport and hands out colouring books, pencils and sticker books during the holidays. If you are travelling on non-holiday dates, don't dispair....you can download your own free colouring book here. Enjoy! - Chapels / Prayer Rooms
Location: Terminal 1, Shopping Area, Level 2, near Post office; Terminals 2ABCD, Shopping area, near the post office and pharmacy; and Terminal 2F, Arrivals entrance - SONY HD VIEWING ROOM & SOUNDCORNER
New features that opened 2011. The first Sony HD video viewing room is located airside in Terminal 2E. - LIGHT THERAPY
In 2012, the airport will be offering a free Light Therapy area. Location: unknown - Car Rentals
Avis • Europcar • Hertz • National • Sixt • and others. Location: Terminals 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2F
Airport Hours
open 24 hours
Terminal Quick Tips
- terminal 2E is newer and suppose to be the better terminal (clean and no/fewer homeless people) - Go there!!!, reports of free Sony Playstations, semi reclining chairs and sleeping pods, free WiFi in terminal 2F.
- seating: bucket seats with armrests, cold metal benches, limited seating at some boarding gates
- frequent announcements and general noise during the day. Quiet at night.
- homeless people are generally well mannered, but there are a few who have been problematic.
Airport Maps
Download the Paris CDG Terminal Maps
Airport Transportation: Getting There
Travelling between Paris CDG Airport and the city centre, you can take:
- Train (RER B + Metro): 8.40 EUR, 50 minutes (depending who you talk to, the first train is 04:56 and the last train to the airport is 23:56. Check before you go).
- Bus: 9.10 EUR, 45-60 minutes
- Taxi: 50 EUR, 45 minutes
For more information, you can try to decipher the airport's transportation page. If you are confused, you are not alone. I contacted my hotel and they gave me directions on how to reach the hotel from the airport. I recommend you do the same
Airport Transportation: Getting Around
There is no easy way to get around this airport. Even the airport officials know this, so they have put together this helpful inter-terminal transportation guide for you to find your own way. Study it before you leave. Print the page and carry it with your important travel documents. The CDGVAL is the inter-terminal train. There are buses as well. You will eventually reach the terminal you want. It operates every 4 minutes.
The signs say Terminal 3 is accessible by CDGVAL train, but this is a joke. I think it would be better to take the bus if you have alot of luggage, as the train really dumps you off at Terminal 1 and then you have to walk for 5 minutes....even outside....to access Terminal 3.
>>> Continue to more Paris CDG Airport Reviews
Last Updated: 05 Jan 2011 | Sources: Aeroports de Paris
The information in this Airport Guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airport's and their web sites. When you see "information not available" and "unknown", the airport has a lousy web site and/or has been uncooperative in providing information. The information above is subject to change without notice. Use it for informational purposes only to help you during your stay. To report errors, or to add/change any items quoted in the guide, please email me.
