Long (3-hour) layover in Paris CDG connecting with a TGV train, where should I wait?

Long (3-hour) layover in Paris CDG connecting with a TGV train, where should I wait? - Road in City during Sunset

I am taking the AirFrance TGVAir plane+train combined ticket, and I have a three-hour layover in Paris Charles de Gaulle before I can board my train from CDG (yes CDG does indeed have a high-speed train (TGV) station). I am thinking about where it would be best for me to kill off those three hours. Ideally I would like to stay in a warm place, possibly with access to a power outlet and WiFi.

Will I have more luck inside the terminal building, or inside the train station? Or maybe even somewhere else?



Best Answer

I came in from the UK into France which means I landed in the international terminal (2E). I was however not allowed to remain airside as the bus took us from the plane to the security area with passport control on one side and further screening for international transfers on the other.
Overall it took me half an hour between landing (on the furthest side of the airport) and clearing passport controls. I have an EU passport though so consider more if that's not your case.

I can however report about the luggage claim area which would be a good waiting spot if it weren't for the lack of eating facilities except of two vending machines. There are however benches with power plugs and the airport WiFi is strong.

After going through customs and into the terminal building landside, I navigated both the arrivals and departure floors. These both offer powered benches and WiFi.
In addition there are a few cafés/bars (more at departure level) to purchase food and drinks if needed.

The CDG train station is not well equipped for long layovers. There is a SNCF waiting room with a few dozen seats and maybe ten plugs all on the same wall. Needless to say hoping to get a place near them requires constant checking for people leaving. The free airport WiFi signal seems to reach in some points of the station, including the SNCF waiting room. In terms of food there are a few kiosks available, as well as a newsstand.
It is also important to note that the train station is a lot colder than the terminal building since it's open on one side like most stations.

It is important to note that both the train station and airport terminal are scattered with homeless people occupying the benches and effectively setting home there. These tend to be inoffensive. However in the station you will also find beggars, of the type who ask you for a couple euros for the train ticket, and gipsies with fake petitions for you to sign, both of which are slightly more annoying. This will require you to heighten your senses and watch out for your belongings.

Overall I think the airside option would have been the best. Lacking that I would stay in the terminal building either at departures or at arrivals.

For completeness sake, the TGVAir office is located inside the SNCF ticket-vending office (Boutique grandes lignes) next to the indication of platforms 4-6 and Pilier S.




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Long (3-hour) layover in Paris CDG connecting with a TGV train, where should I wait? - Train Railway Near Trees
Long (3-hour) layover in Paris CDG connecting with a TGV train, where should I wait? - Eiffel Tower
Long (3-hour) layover in Paris CDG connecting with a TGV train, where should I wait? - Time-Lapse Photography of Person Standing Near Train



Can you leave the CDG airport during a layover?

Can I leave Charles de Gaulle Airport during a layover in Paris? YES, except if you are a national of a non-Schengen country and only have an airport transit visa. An airport transit visa allows you to travel through an airport's international zone without entering the country's territory.

Where is the TGV station at CDG airport?

A\xe9roport Charles de Gaulle 2 TGV station (French: Gare de l'a\xe9roport Charles-de-Gaulle 2 TGV) is a major passenger railway station in Tremblay-en-France, France. It is directly beneath terminal two of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (between the C/D and E/F concourses) and is operated by the SNCF.

Does the TGV leave from CDG airport?

Public transport: take RER B and exit at A\xe9roport Charles de Gaulle 1 for terminals 1 & 3. Exit at A\xe9roport Charles de Gaulle \u2013 TGV for terminals 2 A, C, D, E, F and G. It will take between 30 - 60 minutes and will cost \u20ac9.50.

Where does the TGV leave from in Paris?

Gare Montparnasse, in the 14th arrondissement, serves western and south-western France with regular and TGV services.



PARIS 8 Hours LayOver + How to Commute from CDG Airport to Paris City by Train (Vlog#31)




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