Flying to Paris: Complete 2025 Guide to Flights, Airports & Arrival

More than 50 million passengers fly into Paris each year, making it one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. But choosing the wrong airport — or booking during the wrong window — can add hours and hundreds of euros to your trip.

Paris CDG vs. Orly: Which Airport Should You Choose?

Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is the main international gateway, handling most long-haul and intercontinental flights. It's larger, better connected to global networks, and where Air France has its hub. However, it's located 25km northeast of Paris — roughly 40–60 minutes from the city center depending on traffic.

Orly (ORY) is smaller, handles mostly European and North African routes, and is 14km south of Paris. Transfer times to central Paris are significantly shorter — the Orlyval light rail connects to the RER B in under 30 minutes. Flights into Orly are often cheaper, especially on Transavia and other low-cost carriers.

Beauvais-Tillé (BVA) is 85km north of Paris. It's used almost exclusively by Ryanair. Factor in 75 minutes by coach when comparing its lower fares.

Getting from CDG to Paris

• RER B train: €11.80, 35–45 minutes to central Paris (Gare du Nord, Châtelet). Most practical for budget travelers.
• Roissybus: €16.10, 60–75 minutes to Opéra (heavy traffic delays possible).
• Taxi: Fixed fare €53 to the Right Bank, €58 to the Left Bank. Reliable and worth it if traveling with luggage or late at night.
• Le Bus Direct: €20, coaches to major Paris neighborhoods (Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse). Comfortable.

When to Book Flights to Paris

Paris is year-round in demand — it's never "off peak" in the traditional sense. However, fares do dip noticeably in:

• January–February: Post-Christmas lull. Hotels and flights both cheaper. Fashion Week (late January) creates brief spikes.
• November (excluding school holidays): Museums are quieter, Christmas markets begin mid-November, and fares are moderate.

The most expensive periods are July–August (school holidays + peak tourism) and the week before Christmas. Book at least 3 months ahead for summer.

Airlines Flying to Paris

Competition on routes to Paris is fierce, which generally keeps prices lower than comparable cities:

• Air France: Premium product, direct from most major cities. Often competitive when booked early.
• Transavia: Air France's low-cost subsidiary, primarily from southern European and North African cities into Orly.
• easyJet, Vueling, Ryanair: Cover dozens of European routes at aggressive prices.
• Emirates, Qatar, Etihad: Connect the Middle East, Asia, and Africa to CDG via their respective hubs.

Essential Paris Arrival Tips

• If arriving at CDG Terminal 2, the TGV trains depart directly from Terminal 2F — convenient for onward travel to Lyon, Bordeaux, or other cities.
• Paris taxis officially use the meter or fixed fares. If a driver quotes you an unnaturally high price upfront, walk away.
• Buy a Navigo Easy card at any airport RATP kiosk for unlimited metro/bus use in zones 1–2 — far cheaper than single tickets for a multi-day stay.

Find the Best Fares to Paris

Auronex Fly searches across 700+ airlines and consolidators simultaneously to surface both CDG and ORY options. Our "Also Consider" feature automatically compares nearby airports so you can make an informed choice based on total door-to-door cost.