Flights to France: Popular Routes and the Cheapest Airports

Looking for cheap flights to France? Below are the most popular flight routes into France, with fares that update automatically. Each block shows the cheapest recent prices to one French airport, so you can see at a glance where it is cheapest to land, then continue by train.

Tip: if flights to Paris are expensive for your dates, check Nice, Marseille or Bordeaux. France’s high-speed TGV network links the main cities in a few hours. Not sure when to go? Read our guide to the best time to visit France. For times and booking tips, see our flight schedule guide, or compare flights and hotels together on our booking page.

Flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)

France’s main hub, with the most long-haul connections. The RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 minutes.

Flights to Nice Côte d'Azur (NCE)

The gateway to the French Riviera, linked to the city centre by tram.

Flights to Marseille Provence (MRS)

The best airport for Provence, the Calanques and Aix-en-Provence.

Flights to Bordeaux (BOD)

Fly here for the Bordeaux wine regions and the Atlantic coast.

Flights to Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS)

Your entry point to Occitanie, the Pyrenees and Carcassonne.

Flights to Strasbourg (SXB)

For Alsace, its wine route and the famous Christmas markets.

Flights to Paris, all airports (PAR)

Compares fares to Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais at once.

Flights to Montpellier (MPL)

For the Mediterranean coast of Occitanie and the Cévennes.

Flights to France: Terminal 2E at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport

How to find cheap flights to France: 7 tips

  1. Compare all Paris airports at once. Search for “PAR” to see Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais together. Beauvais is used by low-cost airlines but is about 75 km from Paris, so add the time and cost of the shuttle bus.
  2. Be flexible by a few days. Midweek departures are often cheaper than Fridays and Sundays.
  3. Fly straight to your region. Nice for the French Riviera, Marseille for Provence, Bordeaux for wine country, Toulouse for the Pyrenees. It can save you a long train transfer.
  4. Try an open-jaw ticket. Flying into Paris and home from Nice often costs little more than a return and saves a full day of travel.
  5. Book early for peak dates. For July, August and the French school holidays, book 2 to 4 months ahead and set a price alert.
  6. Check the real total. Low-cost fares often exclude cabin bags and seat selection, which can double the price.
  7. Consider the train from nearby countries. Eurostar links London to Paris in about 2h20 and Brussels to Paris in about 1h25, city centre to city centre.

The main airports for flights to France

  • Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): France’s largest airport and main long-haul hub. The RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 minutes. Official information on Paris Aéroport.
  • Paris Orly (ORY): south of the city, with many European and domestic flights, linked to the centre by metro line 14.
  • Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE): France’s third-busiest airport and the gateway to the Riviera, 20 minutes from the old town by tram.
  • Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS): for Lyon, Burgundy and the French Alps.
  • Marseille Provence (MRS): for Provence, the Calanques and Aix-en-Provence.
  • Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) and Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS): for the southwest, its vineyards and the Pyrenees.

Flying within France, or taking the train?

Once you land, the train is usually the better option. High-speed TGV trains run from Paris to Lyon in about 2 hours, to Bordeaux in about 2 hours and to Marseille in about 3 hours 15, from city centre to city centre, with no airport security. France has even banned some short domestic flights on routes where a direct train takes less than 2 hours 30. Book trains on SNCF Connect. For longer trips, such as Paris to Nice, a domestic flight can still save time. See our France travel guide for more on getting around.

Flights to France: FAQ

Which airport is best for flights to France?

Paris Charles de Gaulle has the most international routes and is usually the cheapest for long-haul flights. If your trip starts in the south, compare prices to Nice, Marseille or Lyon too.

How long is the flight to France?

About 1h15 from London, around 7 hours from New York to Paris, and 11 to 12 hours from Los Angeles. Flights from other European cities usually take 1 to 3 hours.

When are flights to France cheapest?

Usually from November to March, outside Christmas and the February school holidays. Spring and early autumn offer the best balance of price and weather.

Photo: Terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle by Lionel Allorge, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.