Trips to Paris
What to know about Paris, the capital of culture
Want to visit Paris but not sure where to start? Consider this your ultimate Paris getaway guide. We can whisk you away on the ideal flight and put you slap bang in the middle of Paris ready for a few days of exquisite architecture, fine dining, and high culture, but getting to Paris is just the start.
Opodo can find you the best flights to Paris, but you’ll need some direction once you arrive. This guide tells you how to get from Paris airport to the city centre, when the weather is best, and what the must-see attractions are.
More than 44 million people visit Paris every year. It’s among the top three most-visited cities in the world, so there are plenty of things to do. For starters, it’s a cultural epicentre and the home of historic monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and masterpieces like the Mona Lisa.
Paris isn't all high-brow tourist attractions. Fuelled by some of the world’s finest cuisine, Paris is a cosmopolitan city with exciting nightlife and plenty of places to eat, drink, shop or just watch the world go by.
Here is a tip for you: booking your flight and hotel at the same time and not separately can make you save up to 40%. Take advantage of a flight + hotel package in Paris to your destination and save time searching for hotels separately. If you have already purchased your flight and you’re only looking for a hotel, you can find it here.
Must See Attractions in Paris
You'll need a flight before you can sample the delights of Paris. Enter a few requirements into our search engine to find the perfect flight to Paris. Being close to the city’s hotspots is important, so you need to know which Paris airport is closer to the city centre.
The Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is closest to the centre of Paris. Orly Airport (ORY) is a little further afield and is a smaller airport, with less frequent flights. Direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) take just over an hour and can cost less than £50 with airlines like easyJet and Vueling.
Let’s say you’ve landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport and taken a 45-minute taxi ride to the city centre. Your bags have been dropped at the hotel and you’re eager to hit the ground running. There are plenty of must-see attractions in Paris. We can’t list them all, but we can give you a three-day itinerary filled with top-rated tourist attractions:
Day 1: Start with the City’s Cultural Icons
The obvious must-see things to do in Paris are the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris. A trip to the Louvre, even if it’s just to see the Mona Lisa, is a must. The River Seine is also a prominent landmark you can’t ignore, but we’re not here to tell you things you probably already know. There are many more things you can do in Paris.
Day 1 should certainly be all about the big stuff. Do the iconic landmarks but add in a few more we haven’t mentioned, if you have time. Sainte-Chapelle and Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre are some of the most majestic and ornate buildings in Europe. Our top tip for getting around all the top attractions in a day is a guided bus tour or, if you prefer, you can rent bikes or electric scooters.
Day 2: It’s Time for Food, Drinks and Fun
You’ll eat and drink every day, of course, but we’d dedicate at least half a day (or more) to sample the best food Paris has to offer. The city is packed with Michelin-starred restaurants, backstreet bistros and fantastic French fancy spots. Throw in a few places to drink and you’ve got the perfect second day.
Some of the spots you might want to consider on your Paris getaway are:
- La Poule Au Pot
- Marsan par Hélène Darroze
- Racines
- Lacroix Pâtissier
- Boulangerie Utopie
- Herbarium
- Le Syndicate
- Bisou
Day 3: Enjoy the City’s Modern Marvels
The final day of your Paris city break should be all about its modern marvels. By this, we mean visiting some of its newer tourist attractions and taking advantage of modern innovations. For example, if you want high-end fashion with a contemporary feel, take a trip to the concept mall known as Merci.
For a food spot with a difference, Ground Control is 1,500 square metres of open space within an old train station. Filling that space (and your stomach) are dozens of food stalls, pop-up bars, craft shops and local entertainment.
Other modern must-see attractions in Paris are:
- Atelier des Lumières (a digital art museum)
- La Station (an outdoor alternative music venue)
- Hasard Ludique (a train station converted into a contemporary art gallery)
In order to discover the beautiful landscapes of the surroundings, you can always rent a car in Paris and travel the open road.
Frequently asked questions about flights to Paris
What are the main airports in Paris?
The three airports in Paris are Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais. Charles de Gaulle and Orly are similar distances to the city centre, but the latter is smaller. Because of its size and facilities, most airlines fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport, which means you’ll be around 15 miles from the centre of Paris.
Which airlines offer direct flights to Paris?
The main airline offering direct flights from London airports to Paris is easyJet. The average flight duration is just under 1 hour and 30 minutes, and prices can be as low as £25 one-way. Our smart search engine finds the best flights to Paris based on your needs using real-time data.
How can I request assistance for children travelling alone?
You can contact airlines directly if you need assistance with children travelling alone to Paris. This can be done after using our software to book your tickets. Each airline has its own policies. For example, easyJet doesn’t allow children under the age of 15 to fly unaccompanied.
How can I travel with the assistance dog?
You need to contact your airline directly to inform them that you intend to travel with an assistance dog. For example, if you use our search engine to find the best flight to Paris with easyJet, you’ll need to contact the customer service team at least 48 hours before departure.
How do I find cheap flights to Paris that have flexible change policies at eDreams?
Our smart software bases search results on several variables, including real-time price data and availability, the time of year and your personal requirements. You can specify your preferred airports, routes and extra conditions, such as the ability to change a booking without incurring any fees.
How can I book cheap hotels on eDreams in Paris?
Our search engine can pair flights with hotels in your destination city. Simply select the “flight + hotel” option and you’ll be shown a list of cheap flights to Paris based on real-time data. Once you’ve found flights, you can select a hotel and book everything via our website.
What baggage do I need to check on my flight?
Most airlines allow you to take hand luggage at no extra cost. This may be enough if you’re planning a short getaway to Paris. One of the main airlines that fly to Paris from London and doesn't charge extra for 45 x 36 x 20 cm is easyJet.
How can I check in with eDreams?
You’ll get a booking number when you use our service. This number can be used to open the “my booking” portal of your airline. You can check in using the airline portal, usually 48 hours before you fly.
Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight from London to Paris?
Yes, in general, you’ll be required to pay a fee when you cancel flights. The amount you’ll be charged varies depending on how close your departure time is. Flights cancelled 14+ days out will have a nominal fee. Cancellations made closer to departure may have fees totalling the full cost of a flight.
How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?
All flights from the UK to Europe are covered by the Civil Aviation Authority’s ADR scheme. This means you can get compensation of up to £520 if your flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure or you arrive more than one hour late. However, the compensation you will be entitled to depends on your ticket conditions and the distance of your journey.
Airport Info: What to Expect in Paris
Your flight to Paris starts at home but ends in a foreign country. Because of this, it’s a good idea to know what’s going to be waiting for you when you land. There are three main airports in Paris: Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais. Most people fly into Charles de Gaulle, so we’ll focus on its facilities and location:
- Location: Charles de Gaulle Airport is located 15 miles outside of Paris. An average journey by road takes 45-60 minutes.
- Facilities: the airport has cafes, restaurants, lounges, shops, a mall, art exhibitions and a gaming area.
- Airlines that fly to Charles de Gaulle from London: easyJet, Vueling, British Airways and Air France
You can get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city centre via bus, taxi or train:
- Bus: take the RATP Bus 350 (70 minutes to Paris centre) or RATP Bus 351 (80 minutes to Paris centre). Trips cost €2.50.
- Train: take the RER B line from Charles de Gaulle Airport to multiple stops in Paris. Travel times are around 30-60 minutes, and the average fare is €11.45.
- Taxi: there are multiple taxi stands outside each terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport. fares range from €30-€65 and travel times average 45-60 minutes.
The Best Time to Visit Paris
The most popular months for Paris city breaks are June to October when the weather is milder. Paris weather can be somewhat changeable, but you stand the best chance of sunshine and temperatures averaging 20°C to 24°C if you visit between June and October.
Flights to Paris are most expensive in June, with one-way fares averaging £69+. July and August are cheaper, with prices for one-way flights starting at £24+. For Paris getaways in September and October, expect to pay around £30+ one-way. You can, of course, visit at other times of the year.
Paris is a perfect getaway all year round. Temperatures start to drop in November and don't start improving significantly until May. The lead-up to Christmas and the period after are popular times to visit Paris thanks to the festivities taking place across the city, including Christmas markets and light displays from the Eiffel Tower. This means you can go almost any time of the year and be guaranteed a great trip.
