Flights to Paris

Know Before You Go

• During August, Paris shuts down when locals leave for summer holidays. You’ll find some restaurants, museums and shops closed or with limited hours during this month.
• Stay in the 1st, 4th, 6th or 5th arrondissements if you want to be close to tourist attractions. Or for something different, try the neighbourhoods in the northeast like St. Maur and Oberkampf for a trendy nightlife scene.
• Taxi fares go up at night and can cost you a small fortune. To avoid this, try to catch the metro before it closes at 1 am.
• France runs on 220 volts, so make sure you have packed a voltage converter and adapter plugs for your electronics.
• Greet every shop owner, salesman and server with "bonjour" and "au revoir" when you leave. If you don't, it is considered a social faux pas and an insult.
• There is no such thing as a doggie bag in Parisian restaurants. You are expected to finish your entire meal and not doing so is considered rude.

Getting Around Paris

There are a few different ways to explore France's capital city. The option that will work best for you depends on your budget and what you want to see.

Paris is one of the most walkable cities in the world. It's a great way to discover lesser known spots that you might otherwise miss and of course, it won't cost you a dime.

Rent one of the grey Velib bikes and spend a day or week cycling around the city. You can return the bike at any of the stations around the city, and there's even an app to help you find the nearest one.

The metro is the quickest way to get around Paris. You can either buy a single ticket at a station or a book of ten if you plan on using the train more than once.

If you want to travel around the city like a local, take the bus. While it is crowded, you'll get to see Paris and at only EUR 2 a ride, it's an affordable way to get around.

Finding a taxi to hail down in Paris, is not as easy as it is in other parts of the world. Either book ahead with a service like Taxis Bleus or use Uber to help you get to your destination in time. If you do call for a taxi, keep in mind the meter will start running as soon as the driver gets your call.

When is The Best Time to Visit Paris?

While there is no bad time to go to Paris, it all depends on your itinerary and budget.

Visiting Paris in spring (late March to May) means you'll be in time for the cherry blossoms and lower prices before the increase in the summer months. Avoid Paris in April if you want to escape the hordes of spring breakers from around Europe.

The weather in autumn (September to mid-November) is great and also means thinner crowds as the city starts to cool down. Hotel rates are still at their peak in September, so if you need to save money wait until October when prices fall.

Winter in Paris (late November to early March) means hardly any lines at major attractions and the lowest hotel rates in the year. Don't forget to bundle up for the colder weather and avoid spring fashion week in March when every hotel fills up.

Summer is the busiest time of year to visit Paris. From June to September, the city has excellent weather, perfect for picnics and chilled wine at one of the many parks in the city. However, prices are at their highest during this period, and many restaurants and shops close in August for the summer break.

Airports in Paris

Charles de Gaulle Airport

Charles de Gaulle is Paris's largest airport and is 30 km from the city centre. If you're flying in from destinations outside of Europe, this is the airport you'll use as it is a hub for Air France and many other major airlines.

To get to and from the airport, you can use the city's public transport system. The RER B3 train stops at both Terminal 1 and 2 and leaves from underneath the airport. RATP Bus No 351 connects Charles de Gaulle to the eastern side of Paris departing every 30 minutes.

For those arriving late at night, you can take the Noctilien Bus routes 121 and 140 that will stop at major train and metro stops around the city.

Orly Airport

Orly is Paris' second largest airport and is located south of the city. Passengers will more than likely use this airport for flights to other European destinations rather than trans-Atlantic routes.

The airport is easily accessible from the city, and there are several public transport options. Besides the metro, RATP bus 183 runs every thirty minutes between Paris and Orly. There is also an after-hours bus, Noctilien Bus 31 and direct shuttle services if you don't want to lug your luggage around on the metro.

Aéroport de Paris-Beauvais-Tillé

If you're on a budget, a flight to or from Aeroport de Paris-Beauvais-Tillé will save you the most amount of money. Located 80 km from Paris, it is used by discount airlines with routes to and from European destinations.

The airport's distance from the city centre means it is not connected to Paris by any public transportation. The cheapest way to get from Beauvais-Tille to Paris is the Express Bus shuttle service. It leaves 20-30 minutes after each Ryanair arrival and costs about EUR17.