1️⃣ Before Landing

• Fill out nothing in advance — U.S. citizens don’t need a visa or arrival card.
• Documents to keep handy:
  • Passport (valid at least 3 months beyond departure from EU).
  • Return/onward flight ticket.
  • Hotel or host address (e.g., 23 Rue Visconti, Paris).
  • Proof of funds or credit card (rarely asked, but possible).

2️⃣ Arrival & Passport Control

• Follow “Arrivals / Baggage / Contrôle de Passeports” signs.
• Look for the “Non-EU / All Passports” lane.
• At the booth, the border officer may ask:
  • Reason for visit (“Tourism / Visiting friends”).
  • Duration of stay (be ready to say “10 days” or your trip length).
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or friend’s address).
• They will stamp your passport (entry date recorded).

3️⃣ Baggage Claim & Customs

• Collect luggage at the belt.
• Follow green lane = Nothing to Declare unless carrying >€10,000 cash or restricted goods.
• Customs is usually quick unless randomly checked.

4️⃣ Getting Into Paris

Options from CDG:

• 🚖 Taxi (flat fare):
  • €53 → Right Bank / €58 → Left Bank (includes Arcueil or central Paris).
  • Pay cash or card.
• 🚆 RER B train: ~45–55 min, €12 per person to central Paris.
• 🚖 Uber / G7 Taxi app: €55–65 (Arcueil → CDG or reverse).

5️⃣ Tips for Smooth Entry

• Keep boarding pass until after baggage claim (sometimes checked).
• Have hotel/friend’s address written down.
• If officer asks about money, show credit card or small cash (€100–200).
• Answer questions short & polite.

✅ Summary:
At CDG, all you need is your passport, return ticket, and accommodation proof. No visa, no ETIAS yet. Immigration is usually fast — just a couple of questions, stamp, and you’re in.

✈️ Departure Day at CDG – U.S.-Bound Flights

1️⃣ Leaving Your Hotel / Friend’s Place

• Leave at 08:00–08:15 AM (for a 12:25 flight).
• Travel options:
  • 🚖 Taxi / Uber / G7 Taxi: Flat fare €55–62, ~45–60 min. Best with luggage.
  • 🚆 RER B Train: ~50 min, €12 per person. Budget option.

2️⃣ Arriving at CDG (by 09:30)

• Head to your airline’s departure terminal (most U.S. airlines use Terminal 2E/2F, but confirm with your ticket).
• Follow signs “Départs / Departures”.

3️⃣ Check-In & Baggage Drop

• Airline check-in counters open ~3 hours before departure.
• Show:
  • Passport
  • Flight booking / e-ticket
  • Checked luggage (if any)
• You’ll get:
  • Boarding pass
  • Baggage tag

4️⃣ Security Check

• Standard airport security:
  • Remove laptop, liquids (≤100ml, in 1L clear bag), coats, belts.
  • Keep boarding pass + passport handy.

5️⃣ Passport Control (Emigration)

• As you leave France, go through Police aux Frontières (PAF):
  • Use “All Passports” lane.
  • Officer scans passport, may ask short questions (“How long in France?”, “Where are you going?”).
  • Passport stamped exit.

6️⃣ U.S.-Bound Boarding Gate

• CDG has extra checks for U.S. flights:
  • Security interview: Staff may ask about luggage (“Did you pack your own bags?”).
  • Extra screening: Random hand-luggage swabs.
• Arrive at gate at least 45 min before departure (boarding usually starts ~11:30).

7️⃣ Boarding & Flight

• Boarding pass scanned, passport checked again.
• Take your assigned seat, store luggage, buckle up.
• Flight departs 12:25 → back to the USA!

✅ Quick Timeline Example

• 08:00 → Leave hotel (Paris 6th or Arcueil).
• 09:15–09:30 → Arrive at CDG departures hall.
• 09:30–10:15 → Check-in & baggage drop.
• 10:15–10:45 → Security screening.
• 10:45–11:15 → Passport control.
• 11:15–11:30 → Walk to gate, quick coffee/snack.
• 11:30 → Boarding starts.
• 12:25 → Flight departs.

✅ Summary:
Allow 3 hours at CDG. Bring passport + boarding pass ready at all times. Expect security + passport control + possible extra U.S. checks. With this flow, you’ll be stress-free for your flight.