CDG Comfortable Places to Wait, Post-Customs

May 19, 2023 10:27 AM

Where to meet friends in CDG after Customs?

We're traveling soon from the US to CDG on Air France, and meeting friends who are traveling to CDG from the US via LHR on British Airways. We want to meet in the airport and share transportation to the apartment we've rented. We expect to arrive at CDG about 2 hours apart, in the middle of a weekday. It looks like they'll arrive in terminal 2B about 2 hours before we arrive in terminal 2E.

I assume both parties will be directed through customs and baggage claim and spit out into the Non-Secured side of the airport, before we're able to see each other.

They may be able to get into whatever British Airways lounge may exist on the Pre-Security side, and we may be able to get into an Air France lounge if one exists Pre-Security. But I'm not sure about either of those, because a) I haven't looked to see what the lounge situation is at CDG and b) I don't know if access extends to after landing.

Does anyone have any recommendation for a nice place to while away an hour or two with luggage while waiting for others to arrive?

According to this website, "at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it is easy to meet near the Paris Aéroport Information desks on the Arrivals level in each terminal." This looks like an official site but I'm not 100% sure of that, and the FAQ is undated. And I'm hoping for a more comfortable place to hang out, a lounge, a bar, an atrium...

posted by happy_cat to Travel & Transportation around Paris, France (7 answers total)

CDG doesn't really have much outside security, unfortunately. You get ushered to the checkin counters and through security. I would probably hang out in the TGV train station by the ticket machines, there are some seats down there, though always lots of people.
posted by wnissen at 11:25 AM on May 19, 2023 [1 favorite]

Is it possible for them not to check luggage? Then they could hang out security side. If I recall correctly, all the 2 terminals (except the last one) are connected, although the walk is a bit long.
posted by dame at 1:07 PM on May 19, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: @dame Thank you for asking that. Yes, actually, we can all avoid checking baggage. I assume we will still have to pass through Customs before we can see our friends. Do you know what kind of meeting places might be available after passing through Customs?
posted by happy_cat at 1:16 PM on May 19, 2023

Best answer: Could you try the Sheraton hotel? Seems like it's above the TGV station and their lobby or bar might be a good option.
posted by knapah at 2:08 PM on May 19, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The lobby of the Sheraton Paris Charles de Gaulle is pretty comfortable and you should be able to have food/ drinks at the bar.
posted by zeikka at 8:59 PM on May 19, 2023 [1 favorite]

From what I recall, if you follow the "transfers" signs, you can go through immigration without getting spit out on the wrong side of security but rather end up being able to walk to any terminal beginning with 2 and so could then go to the club or a restaurant, etc. However I *was* actually transferring, so to be extra safe, you might want to meet in the hotel. Or try the terminal and fall back to hotel.
posted by dame at 7:35 AM on May 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you all. The Sheraton looks pretty convenient and pleasant. Many thanks!
posted by happy_cat at 7:20 PM on May 29, 2023 [1 favorite]