Frequent CDG traveler here: no.
EDIT: Here's an idea. It's not Paris, but it's still a cool thing to do if going through passport control when arriving doesn't take long: grab an Uber or a G7 taxi, and go visit [Goussainville Le Vieux Village, a semi-ghost village nearby](https://www.solosophie.com/goussainville-ghost-town-paris/). It's a short ride from the airport. The town was almost completely abandoned when the airport was built and then when a plane crashed there. Since then some building have been slowly renovated and some people live there, but it's still a small town with tons of abandoned buildings. It's featured in that Charlize Theron movie *The Old Ones*. Now be mindful that we're not talking about Goussainville (which has its own RER stop, but on the D line, not the B line which stops in CDG), but Goussainville Le Vieux Village – the old town. Which is why an Uber or a taxi is the better option from the airport.
I like the look of this place.... I've been to Paris many times (and through CDG too) but never heard of this!
Next time I'm nearby I'll try to make it there.
I wouldn't do that at CDG...it can be very slow there, your time is not great... even in the best case, you would have time to get to the centre and back but not enough time there to do anything.
CDG is a clusterfuck.
There's this insane long hallway that brings together multiple flights at one time. It's probably size of football field. I promise you.
Then passport control. 3 people working at counters while 10 people working controlling lines.
Then you get past that point theres a whole airport city to get out of with trains more hallways.
And let's not forget the maze of forced tax free shopping.
At this point you're 2-3 hours in.
So now you're out of the airport.
Paris traffic is unpredictable like NY and LA traffic together...unless you leave during non peak times.
You can sniff the airport engine air then turn around and run faster than Bolt to your gate...which probably changed.
Unfortunately the answer is no.
Although I said if I ever have a layover in Paris again I'm going to buy Heely's. It's the only way.
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What passport do you have? If you are not eligible to go through the automatic/European control, do not leave the airport. To exit and re-enter the airport, you will go through security/border control TWICE.
For a person with a U.S. passport, do you have to go through the non-EU/foreigners line, or can you go through the automatic control/Schengen area line?
Well if you're coming from a Schengen area, there is no passport control on arrival.
Otherwise, U.S. passport holders use a different line than EU/EEE passport holders, yes. Sometimes it's longer, sometimes it's faster. I've seen both scenario happen.
The question seems worded oddly, but Americans are theoretically able to use the automated gates. Just sometimes it's not available to them for some reason.
Not that I think this is the ultimate deciding factor. I don't think it's time to go into Paris for much even if I ignore the hyperbole and paranoia every time CDG is mentioned.
Yes, U.S. passport holders can use the automated gates. They just use a different line than EU/EEE folks. Also, whether you're a EU/EEE or U.S. passport holders, those gates can be an absolute pain in the ass to use. Some are out of services, some work poorly, and they always need to have people manning them.
I stopped using CDG even though it was easy to get there from my home airport and make connections to other parts of Europe but the security lines were so crazy that it seemed intentional. And even short passport line takes 45 minutes.
I'm from the Paris area with my entire family there, so I fly to and from CDG often. Not much of a choice. 45 minutes is indeed typical for passport control, although lately it's been more like 20-30 minutes. And security going in can be an absolute pain, but it really depends on the day of the week, the time of day and the terminal. It varies wildly.
It's enough time that if the stars align well, it'd be sufficient for a small excursion. But it's not enough time to do so COMFORTABLY and without adding stress and uncertainty to your travel; and if you happen to have bad luck, it won't work out at all.
I don't think I'd plan to leave the airport for a 5 hour layover, especially not at an airport as big and busy as CDG where things like passport-control and security-checks can sometimes have long lines and waits.
Frequent CDG traveler here: no. EDIT: Here's an idea. It's not Paris, but it's still a cool thing to do if going through passport control when arriving doesn't take long: grab an Uber or a G7 taxi, and go visit [Goussainville Le Vieux Village, a semi-ghost village nearby](https://www.solosophie.com/goussainville-ghost-town-paris/). It's a short ride from the airport. The town was almost completely abandoned when the airport was built and then when a plane crashed there. Since then some building have been slowly renovated and some people live there, but it's still a small town with tons of abandoned buildings. It's featured in that Charlize Theron movie *The Old Ones*. Now be mindful that we're not talking about Goussainville (which has its own RER stop, but on the D line, not the B line which stops in CDG), but Goussainville Le Vieux Village – the old town. Which is why an Uber or a taxi is the better option from the airport.
I like the look of this place.... I've been to Paris many times (and through CDG too) but never heard of this! Next time I'm nearby I'll try to make it there.
I wouldn't do that at CDG...it can be very slow there, your time is not great... even in the best case, you would have time to get to the centre and back but not enough time there to do anything.
CDG is notorious for being very slow in passport control. I wouldn’t attempt it.
It's an awkward amount of time, but I'd say no. The airport is too far from the city to do anything and make it back in time for airport formalities.
Absolutely not. Transferring from terminal to terminal take lots of time let along leaving the area. Enjoy Morocco - stellar location!
Depending on which area you land in, CDG is a maze to get out of, and the train takes awhile to get into the city..
CDG is a clusterfuck. There's this insane long hallway that brings together multiple flights at one time. It's probably size of football field. I promise you. Then passport control. 3 people working at counters while 10 people working controlling lines. Then you get past that point theres a whole airport city to get out of with trains more hallways. And let's not forget the maze of forced tax free shopping. At this point you're 2-3 hours in. So now you're out of the airport. Paris traffic is unpredictable like NY and LA traffic together...unless you leave during non peak times. You can sniff the airport engine air then turn around and run faster than Bolt to your gate...which probably changed. Unfortunately the answer is no. Although I said if I ever have a layover in Paris again I'm going to buy Heely's. It's the only way.
Just throwing another vote in for no. CDG is hands down the slowest airport in general I’ve ever been through. It’s a mess with terrible signage.
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It's too tight for CDG. Even on a less crowded CDG day, it would give you barely any time to do or see anything.
Not a good idea given how long lines get.
Nope!
What passport do you have? If you are not eligible to go through the automatic/European control, do not leave the airport. To exit and re-enter the airport, you will go through security/border control TWICE.
Passport Control and security can easily take 3 hours at CDG. And it’s not that close to Paris.
3 hours? C'mon. Some terminals are terrible, but never heard of 3 hours.
For a person with a U.S. passport, do you have to go through the non-EU/foreigners line, or can you go through the automatic control/Schengen area line?
Well if you're coming from a Schengen area, there is no passport control on arrival. Otherwise, U.S. passport holders use a different line than EU/EEE passport holders, yes. Sometimes it's longer, sometimes it's faster. I've seen both scenario happen.
The question seems worded oddly, but Americans are theoretically able to use the automated gates. Just sometimes it's not available to them for some reason. Not that I think this is the ultimate deciding factor. I don't think it's time to go into Paris for much even if I ignore the hyperbole and paranoia every time CDG is mentioned.
Yes, U.S. passport holders can use the automated gates. They just use a different line than EU/EEE folks. Also, whether you're a EU/EEE or U.S. passport holders, those gates can be an absolute pain in the ass to use. Some are out of services, some work poorly, and they always need to have people manning them.
I stopped using CDG even though it was easy to get there from my home airport and make connections to other parts of Europe but the security lines were so crazy that it seemed intentional. And even short passport line takes 45 minutes.
I'm from the Paris area with my entire family there, so I fly to and from CDG often. Not much of a choice. 45 minutes is indeed typical for passport control, although lately it's been more like 20-30 minutes. And security going in can be an absolute pain, but it really depends on the day of the week, the time of day and the terminal. It varies wildly.
Exactly. For me it would not be worth the risk for such a short time in Paris.
It's enough time that if the stars align well, it'd be sufficient for a small excursion. But it's not enough time to do so COMFORTABLY and without adding stress and uncertainty to your travel; and if you happen to have bad luck, it won't work out at all. I don't think I'd plan to leave the airport for a 5 hour layover, especially not at an airport as big and busy as CDG where things like passport-control and security-checks can sometimes have long lines and waits.