Can I leave the airport on a long layover in Paris?

Question

I have a 9 hour layover in Paris on my way from Italy back to the states. Can I leave the airport and re-enter without much trouble?

Answer 1

Yes you can and should!  It's such a waste of time to spend 9 hours at an airport with such an interesting city at just 1 hour away from you.

But be careful, it's not easy to travel between the Paris airports and the city centre, and you may not want to miss your flight!

The following web site can help you prepare your trip: http://www.ratp.fr/. Click on International Passengers at the top to get the text in English.

Enjoy your journey!

Answer 2

It takes an hour to make into Paris.  It can also be expensive about $60.  My suggestion if you have a group and arrange transportation in advance it is worth it to go into Paris.  If not, you take a chance.

Also if you are flying Air France they take thirty minutes longer to recheck passengers.

Answer 3

The problem is if you are leaving the airport (Orly or Roissy) and go outside, you won't have time to do a lot of things.

Look you'll need at least 30 minutes to an hour to get out of the plane. Going to Paris need at least 30 min to an hour depending on where you are. So double that time to go back.

Then, as now the regulations to go to US have been reinforced it takes more time with the controls and checking procedures. So count 2 hours at least.

At the end it doesn't leave luch time, does it?

Answer 4

yes you can

Answer 5

You can shop at duty free stores and eat at an airport cafe.  Try to eat the French food.  The American food (like doughnuts) is VERY EXPENSIVE and doesn't really taste like American food.  You can also use the time to read a good book.  Long layovers are the reason ppl will pay to be members of an airline club so they can rest in the airline lounge. If you are in CDG, you will get to Paris the fastest and directly to the tourist destination of your choice if you take a taxi.  But it will be expensive.  It might be better for you to just pay the penalty fee and either book a shorter layover or to allow a whole day in Paris.

Answer 6

It's really not recommended because you're leaving the secured area.  You and your carry on  baggage will need to go through security again.  

Nine hours really isn't enough time to do much in the way of touring because of the distance from Orly airport to the sights of Paris and taking traffic into account.  

Next time you fly, build in a stop over day in Paris so you can leave the airport and do some touristy stuff.

Answer 7

So long as you don't BASE jump from the Tower..

Answer 8

I disagree with most posters above; I think you can get into Paris on the RER and sightsee for a few hours at least - nine hours would suck to be stuck at Charles de Gaulle!  The key would be to check in, get your boarding pass and check your bag and not have to carry it around with you before you leave the airport; when you return, all you'd have to do is go through security.  The RER train takes around an hour to get downtown, including the shuttle bus from the terminal.  It's 8 euro each way.  Just plan your trip well so you're not losing time and allow plenty of time for your return trip.  Three or four hours in Paris is better than staying at that crappy airport!  Bon chance!