Going on Vacation! Air France YYZ-CDG CDG-TLV

[niss]

April 2nd I am flying to Paris from Toronto, and the next day I am off to Tel Aviv.

Is there any advice anyone can give? Little hints and tricks for dealing with AF?

As unlikely it is, especially now in days, I still see pictures on facebook from people who got cockpit rides, does anyone know how that works or is it just for family & friends?

[Tango Romeo]

Flew with AF this summer out of CDG to YUL. They were actually great for stanby pax. They have their own dedicated standby counter to ask questions etc. I didn't get a jumpseat ride, but because the flight was full they were willing to have me occupy one of the FA's jumpseats. Luckily however, I got a seat surrounded by babies and children.

Safe travels,

Tango-

[joco]

We just flew with them on Dec 23/09 YYZ -CDG. Great ride, very quiet A340-600, outstanding on demand entertainment unit. The food was good, service as well.

One word of advice, the lady (yes there is one only, yet 2 ladies on duty at the KLM next to her) at luggage drop-off in YYZ is overworked (stressed out)and may deny a stroller to be taken on board. AF does not allow you to drop off the stroller at a/c door like all other carriers (WJ, Austrian, KLM to name those that we flew last year). Therefore check in you luggage and have a routine carry-on luggage, nothing out of the ordinary and you'll be fine.

Enjoy the trip!

[niss]

Thanks guys, just me and my backpacks, so the stroller is a non issue!

I am super excited!

[aviator2010]

Ya Babies suck glad I was never one

[niss]

Are there any ways of seeing the front office?

[Cat Driver]

You could borrow my Air France pilot I.D. card and wear a burka so they can't see your face.

[niss]

You could borrow my Air France pilot I.D. card and wear a burka so they can't see your face.

I could wear my 'blend in when in Paris' costume:

[joco]

I could wear my 'blend in when in Paris' costume:

On a serious note, I have been in Paris from Dec 24 to Dec 29, and Jan1 to Jan 2, and I did not see any "blend in" costumes in the touristic areas.... most people were Caucasian and some Asian. Just my experience.

[bmc]

That's quite the womb broom Niss.

Too bad you didn't have a longer connection. Ya coulda paid a visit.

Terminal 2E, the most recent terminal, is quite nice architecturally. You can expect a strike of some sore to be happening while you're there. Ground handlers, baggage handlers, catering, ATC, etc etc etc. I try to not use CDG as a departure airport. Less painful airports in Europe.

Hava nageela good time. Enjoy the filafel. The weather should be prime.

[longjon]

what bmc said
I was told that CDG is the worst in the Eu and to avoid it but personally I've not had to much trouble other than the 2k walk between gates but as I've always had lots of time never a problem. I've never done the over the ocean thing with AF just domestic. Anyone else notice the French pilots are cocky and arrogant, oh hold on thats most pilots.

[pelmet]

Flown on them several times standby. Longest flight was Orly to Reunion(747-300). 10 and 1/2 hours at night. Because I was a pilot they gave me what was called the jumpseat as the flight was full. Not a seat in the cockpit. An F/A seat at an exit facing a row of pax. Straight back with no recline at all. But it got me there.Try not to travel on French holidaysas the flight back was full as well, so I had to jump over to Mauritius for the flight back(A-340). It was an AF plane with a code share flight with Air Mauritius of which all the AF seats were sold but had plenty of Air Mauritius seats so they let me go on the flight(row to myself). Actually , the AF agent at the check-in approved it as the AM check-in lady initially said no dur to the sold out AF seats. In other words, don't depend on the locals.

As a side note, there are huge amounts of people going to Reunion from France including Air Austral with their own 777 codeshare with AF(at least back then) and they have an A-380 on order in all economy class(over 800 seats).

Having been to France 5 or 6 times on Z fares, Paris can be good. I have had flights full out of CDG to a domestic location so I hopped onto a bus to Orly and caught another flight to same destination.

[niss]

~6 weeks.

Anyone have good suggestions for a place to stay? I am looking for a hostel but I may just stay out real late, then take the metro back to CDG and sleep there.

Also recommendations for some food, neat things to see?

I have the following planned:

Catacombs
Eiffel Tour
Tour of some sort
See (at least the exterior of) the louvre

Its just the basic touristy shit.

I arrive ~10am and leave the next morning @ 8ish.

I am a foody & a history buff.

Thanks!

[C-FABH]

Are there any ways of seeing the front office?

Ask the crew after you land

[Jungle Jim]

Niss,

Make sure you catch a dinner theater show at the Lido or Moulin Rouge. I prefered the Lido myself.

Jim

[Tibor]

CDG is one of the worst airports/terminals

[metalleg_man]

My advice, throw back a Gravol and 2 double rum and cokes after departure......wake up in CDG!

[bmc]

Hop on the metro and get down to Montmatre. Wander the streets.

You can spend years doing Paris. Fabulous city, Niss. Absolutely fabulous place. You will only have time for small slice of that town. Montmatre has the cathedral, Moulin Rouge all within walking distance. Any restaurant is going to serve you good food.

Have fun.

[Apollo]

Watch out for Security in Israel - if you don't have to, avoid the checkpoints like the plague. I was doing some humanitarian work (on both sides), and was harassed going through the checkpoints

[joco]

Hop on the metro and get down to Montmatre. Wander the streets.

You can spend years doing Paris. Fabulous city, Niss. Absolutely fabulous place. You will only have time for small slice of that town. Montmatre has the cathedral, Moulin Rouge all within walking distance. Any restaurant is going to serve you good food.

Have fun.

Listen to bmc, I can only second what he says. The Luvru is not that expensive, I think we paid 9 euros per adult last December, but it is worth. You can walk where history took place.
Enjoy.

[niss]

Thanks for the advice guys, I am really looking forward to it!

Watch out for Security in Israel - if you don't have to, avoid the checkpoints like the plague. I was doing some humanitarian work (on both sides), and was harassed going through the checkpoints

Duly noted, I don't think they will be to big of a deal with an Israeli passport though.

How shady is Paris? I hear really good things and really bad things.

[bmc]

If you want coffee of the sizes we serve in Canada, ask for a grande cafe or a Cafe American. Otherwise, you'll gte a small cup of coffee. Coffee over here is delicious. No need for milk and sugar. To accomodate serving a cafe American, they understand it to mean a cup of coffee filled up with hot water. There'll be no more coffee grounds. Just watered down.

Strongly recommend you try beef tartar. Very popular menu item and worth checking out.

Bummer you couldn't hop on Easyjet and steal my 4 door Smart car for the afternoon.

[5400AirportRdSouth]

Hey Niss,

When I've been to Paris on a budget, I have stayed a couple times at the Youth Hostel about four blocks from the louvre. Don't worry about the " Youth " part, I don't know why they even bother, there is no age restrictions.

http://www.bvjhotel.com/

You can get a dorm bed for as little as 29EUR. Includes breakfast, backpack storage for the day. Lots of rooms, so never had any trouble getting in, except during summer peak.

Walking distance to the Louvre, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Musee du War, Latin Quarter and lots of other stuff. Paris is super-easy to get around with the Metro.

Our first time there, we were a little freaked out about all the stories of pickpockets, thieves, etc. Don't worry about it at all, at its very, very worst, it is no different than a typical Canadian city for street crime. Usually, I found it a lot safer.

Mind you, you go walking around junkie-ville in any city, with a backpack and a map, you might as well put a target on your back.

The only thing I would caution anyone is to watch out for the street hustlers. People trying to " give " you gold rings, or pretending to find something of value and then giving it to you, distract you while someone else nicks your bag. Typically around the big tourist attractions. If it feels suspicious, walk away.

While the museums and big tourist things are something to see, I could spend years just wandering around the streets.


Enjoy your trip!

[niss]

Thanks again Guys!

How early for my flight to TLV do I have to be?

Also, I think my books are a little dated, but do I still need to know German to through Paris?

[Guido]

Niss, if you're looking for something that's a bit nicer than a hostel but still fairly cheap and in the city centre, check out Hotel Bonne Nouvelle - stayed there for 4 nights last time I was in Paris and I was very pleased. Free wireless is a huge plus. http://www.hotel-bonne-nouvelle.com/english/accueil.htm