Paris flights and travel guide

Tourists taking cheap flights to Paris will need plenty of superlatives to describe it to family back home. The capital of France is the most romantic, the most elegant, the most glittering, the most atmospheric city of all the European capitals. Its landmarks are world famous and instantly recognisable. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame de Paris and Sacre Coeur, the Champs-Élysees and the Louvre (with its most famous painting - Mona Lisa or Portrait of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo to give it its full name) are all ones to have on the must-see list, but how to soak up Paris's unique atmosphere?

Explore the arrondissements. Paris is divided into 20 districts that start with the Ile de la Cite in the centre and fan out – 1 to 20. Each has its own flavour; Grands Boulevards is for high-end shopping, while Le Marais is fashionable and cool. Go underground to the Catacombs in the Latin Quarter or stroll among the graves of the famous in Père-Lachaise cemetery in the 20ème.

Order a cafe au lait at one of Paris's outdoor cafes and people watch, tuck into a luscious pastry from a local patisserie or take in a puppet show in the Jardin du Luxembourg. Whatever you decide to do, Paris will cast a spell.

Back to top

Paris climate

The summers are warm with average high temperatures of about 25 degrees. Winters are cool, with temperatures ranging between 3 and 8 degrees. Paris is hit by sudden rain showers throughout the year. Snowfall is rare.

Back to top

When to fly to Paris

Springtime is the time to take cheap flights to Paris. Between April and June the weather is sunny but not too hot. Autumn and Winter, when the summer crowds have melted away are also good times to visit. 

Peak Season:

Mid-May to mid-September are peak months when most tourists arrive on cheap flights to Paris. 

Off Season:

January to March is low season, with the exception of Valentine's Day. Other low-season months are November and December. 

Shoulder Season: 

April to May is shoulder season in Paris when there are fewer tourists and attractions are less busy.

Back to top

Getting into town Paris

From Charles de Gaulle, there are several options to get to Paris. The RER suburban train leaves every 15 minutes and costs less than €10  (about $16). Roissybus, an express bus service that departs every 15 minutes and takes about an hour costs approximately €9 (about $15). Cars Air France, a shuttle service, goes to five stops in Paris. A return trip costs about €20 ($32). A taxi can be picked up outside the terminal building and a fare to central Paris will cost about €40 ($65).

If your cheap flights to Paris land at Paris-Orly Airport, there are also lots of ways to make your way into town. A suburban train service (The RER B) departs every ten minutes and costs €10 ($16). The Orlybus is cheaper - €6  ($10). The bus departs every 15 minutes and the journey takes about 25 minutes. There is also the Air France shuttle that stops at a couple of metro stations, such as Porte d'Orleans and Montparnasse. The cost of a return trip is €14  ($23). Finally, a taxi from Orly to the centre of Paris will cost between €20 and €30 ($33-$50).

Back to top

Getting around Paris

One of the best ways of getting around Paris is on foot, but if you find yourself flagging, go underground and take the metro. There are about 300 stations and 16 lines. A single metro ticket costs €1.60 ($2 or so). The public bus system is convenient and reliable. The RER suburban train system covers the Paris metropolitan area and tickets and prices are identical to the metro. Taxis are widely available.

Back to top

Paris insider information

• Starting in late July each year, the Paris-Plages project brings the beach to the city. There are three sites - Louvre/Pont de Sully, Port de la Gare and Bassin de la Villette - with deckchairs, play areas and lots and lots of sand. 
• Most of the museums in Paris are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and on some public holidays. Peeking at the permanent collections of museums, run by the Paris City Council (Ville de Paris) will not cost you a cent. Admission to national museums is free on the first Sunday of every month. If you're planning to visit a specific museum, check out its website in advance. There may be free admission on certain days of the week. 
• On August 30, the annual Fête de Ganesh files from the Temple de Dri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam in rue Philippe de Girard and processes down the rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, along rue Ordener then up bldv Barbès and back to the temple. This colourful, noisy festival is great fun to watch.

Back to top

Paris airports

Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) (website:www.adp.fr) is situated 23km northeast of Paris.

Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) (website:www.adp.fr) is 14km south of Paris.

Back to top