Advice on train booking time: CDG to Gare de Lyon

hi everyone

I’m planning a trip to Japan from May 11 to 26 with Air China.

I’ll be taking Ouigo from Lyon for both the outbound and return trips to get to Roissy CDG.

For the outbound TGV from Lyon, I’ll arrive at Roissy with plenty of time—at least 6 or 7 hours before my 8:30 PM flight (Paris to Beijing, then Beijing to Tokyo). For the return on May 26, I was wondering what time you’d recommend booking my train to Lyon, given that I’ll land at CDG at 7:30 AM (flight from Tokyo). I was thinking of booking a train leaving at 11:00 AM from the SNCF station at CDG to Lyon Saint-Exupéry—does that seem too tight based on your experience?

This is my first time traveling this far with a layover in Beijing, and I’m not familiar with Roissy CDG Airport at all.

Thanks for your advice!

Good evening, Air China operates from Terminal 1, and the train station is in Terminal 2. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours to clear formalities and collect your luggage. After that, you’ll need to take the shuttle train (CDGVAL) connecting T1 to T2, then head to the station to catch your train. Factoring in the walk to the CDGVAL, the ride itself, and then getting to your train without rushing, you’d likely arrive around 9:30–10:00 AM, so yes, that’s enough time.

However, you mentioned your return flight (from Tokyo)—there’s no direct flight from Tokyo with Air China. You’ll normally connect through Beijing, just like on the outbound trip.

Good evening! Yes, exactly—return with a layover in Beijing, same as the outbound trip!

So, in your opinion, can I book the train for 11 AM?

Yep, that works! 😉