how difficult are flight connections at charles de gaulle

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andy90

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My partner and I are looking at flights for her grandparents to come to Brisbane and visit us from The Netherlands. Her grandparents have never flown before and this will probably be the one and only big trip they ever take.

Cost is somewhat of a consideration but most of the prices are within their budget anyway so we aren't stressing about it (they will be flying business).
What we are really looking for is something that is relatively simple to navigate and an airline that offers good customer service in terms of assistance ect.

While searching for flights I came across a trip on the KLM website that was actually on Air France. It is basically AMS-CDG (Air France), CDG-HKG (Air France) and then from Hong Kong to Brisbane would be on Qantas (on the same ticket).

I would just like to ask what the connections are like between terminals in Paris. I have transferred at Heathrow off a Qantas flight onto BA and I hated it so we wouldn't want to book anything like that for them. But this particular flight is about 2000 euros less than what I can find with any of the other common airlines so I just thought i would ask the question.
 
For people not used to travel CDG would be the worst airport for a transfer...so better to avoid! Isn't there one stop options through SIN or HKG?
You should also look at Finnair AMS-HEL-HGK/SIN-BNE.
 
If it was my mum or in laws, I would pay for a Pearl Transit Assist every time., approx $210USD but I consider it money well spent.

Edit: I transited CDG by pure dumb luck but even then, up and down stairs with carryon, bus transfer, transit desks, security. Even I would pay for Pearl Assist for myself next time.
 
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Can confirm CDG is not a transfer friendly airport. The terminals are connected by bus, and different buses go to different places. It’s so complex there’s a dedicated section on the CDG website to tell people how to get to where they need to be. Some transfers are listed as requiring 45 or so minutes IIRC.
 
Depending on price, I would consider CX via HKG. Ends up with just under 6 hour transit in HKG - which is time for comfortable transfer and lounge time, or a quick trip into town if that is more their thing. Just make sure you don't get the flight that stops in CNS on the way to BNE (and in the reverse). Just a matter of picking dates and times.

Booked early enough, CX fares should be quite reasonable.
 
I would just like to ask what the connections are like between terminals in Paris. I have transferred at Heathrow off a Qantas flight onto BA and I hated it so we wouldn't want to book anything like that for them. But this particular flight is about 2000 euros less than what I can find with any of the other common airlines so I just thought i would ask the question.
Connections via CDG are worse then LHR.
 
Having recently been rebooked on KLM SIN-AMS-LHR I would suggest AMS-SIN-BNE would be a fairly straightforward route. I believe the KLM flight (KL835) that flies to SIN continues on to Bali too, if you want to consider a stop there for them.
 
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i agree with the above comments. My dad stays at the Sheraton in the terminal to take the pressure off flying in and out of CDG. (he is 88 this year, and losing his sight).
 
Don't underestimate how draining long flying times can be on elderly people even if they are quite fit, especially if they are not used to flying long distances. I'd keep total travel time down by only considering itineraries with one stop. - SQ via SIN, CX via HKG or EK via DXB. DXB would be the worst of these transit wise for elderly people because distances to cover in the terminals can be long and finding your way confusing.
I'd compare SQ and CX prices and travel times and work out what the best fit is.

Another option might be a short stopover in SIN or HKG, depending on their preferences. Maybe that's something they haven't even considered - and both are so different to AMS that they might like to have a look. We always try to get more bang for our buck using stopovers this way (SQ makes that easy in SIN by offering multiple flight combos when you do a search).

Edit: I'll bet service and assistance levels in SIN & HKG will be way better than CDG, DXB etc too - the Asians are always pleased to be able to help you IME.
 
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While CDG T1 is an absolute nightmare, I have never had any trouble in T2 apart from how strung out it is. Have been through there with AY, AF, CX & A3 and mostly trouble free. Even dropping a hire car off finished up relatively straight forward. But of you were transiting through or even just arriving/departing from T1 then any alternative would be preferred.
 
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