Leave home/hotel to arrive at Dublin Airport with comfortable buffer — recommended 2.5–3 hours before your international departure to account for check-in and security.
Drop checked bags (if any), complete security and passport control; Dublin recommends arriving 2–3 hours before international flights. Allow time for queues and possible extra screening.
Quick breakfast and coffee before boarding — most airport cafés in Terminals 1 & 2 open early (around 04:30–05:30). Choose a sit-down or grab-and-go to save time.
Short international hop (approx. 1h45). Use this time to relax, confirm onward boarding passes and watch the gate information for your Paris connection; you’ll land in CDG’s Terminal 2 area.
Arrive at CDG (Terminal 2). For an onward Air France long-haul connection, follow Transfer signs to Terminal 2E/2F as required; 2h10 layover is tight so move promptly through transfer security and to your gate.
If you have time after transfer security, grab coffee or a pastry at a patisserie or kiosk near departure gates — many outlets in Terminal 2 open early (around 05:00–06:00). Keep to 20–30 minutes to make your gate comfortably.
Get to your long-haul gate, confirm boarding time and seat, charge devices, and use restroom. Gate areas at CDG sometimes require additional time to reach (different 2E/2F piers).
Long-haul overnight-ish transatlantic (approx. 11h30). Onboard you’ll have meals and entertainment — plan sleep segments, hydrate, and stretch regularly to arrive more refreshed.
Air France will serve at least one full meal and additional snacks; use eye mask/earplugs and a neck pillow if you plan to sleep. Stay hydrated and get up occasionally to walk.
Thorough arrival at Galeão: passport control, immigration (Brazilian entry card if required), and luggage reclaim. Busy evenings can take 60–90 minutes; have customs forms and address of your hotel ready.
Take a pre-booked transfer, authorized taxi or app ride (e.g., Uber) to your hotel — typical transfer to Zona Sul (Ipanema/Copacabana) 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Have a relaxed first dinner to celebrate arrival — recommended options include Marius Degustare (Copacabana) for seafood/steak or Bar Urca for seaside casual bites; most sit-down restaurants open evenings from ~18:00 and stay open until 22:30–00:00.
Check in, freshen up and get a short recovery sleep; set alarm and adjust to local time gradually to help with jet lag (avoid heavy screen use before sleep).
If you’re staying in Copacabana or Ipanema and feel up to it, a 10–20 minute stroll along the lit promenade is a calming way to arrive — keep valuables secure and stay in populated areas.