Getting to Paris
Paris is one of those cities that’s always worth the trip, whether it’s your first visit or your tenth. But before you start dreaming about café terraces and museum strolls, you need to figure out how to get there. Here’s a breakdown of your best options.
Flights
Paris has two major airports: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the northeast and Orly (ORY) to the south. CDG handles most long-haul international flights, while Orly serves more European and domestic routes. If you’re looking for cheaper flights, try booking three to four months ahead, especially for travel in the shoulder seasons (April through May or September through October), when fares tend to drop. For more tips, see our guide to getting to France.
Once you land, getting into the city is pretty straightforward. Both airports connect to central Paris via the RER train, airport buses, or taxis. Depending on traffic and where you’re headed, the journey can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
Train
If you’re coming from London, the Eurostar is by far the easiest way to get to Paris. It takes just over two hours from St. Pancras International to Gare du Nord—no airport hassle, no long security lines, just a smooth ride straight into the city center.
Beyond the UK, Paris is well-connected to Europe’s high-speed rail network, with direct TGV services from cities like Amsterdam, Brussels, Geneva, and Barcelona. Train travel is not only comfortable but also a lot more eco-friendly than flying. Plus, the views along the way add to the experience.
Road trips
Driving to Paris gives you the freedom to explore along the way, whether that’s stopping in the French countryside or making detours to historic sites. France’s highways are in great shape, but most major routes have tolls, so be ready for that.
If you’re coming from the UK, you’ve got options: ferries from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk, or the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais. Once in France, it’s a straightforward drive to Paris.
That said, driving in Paris itself is another story. The streets are compact, traffic is intense, and parking is limited. It’s usually easier to park outside the city and take public transport in. The Boulevard Périphérique (the ring road around Paris) is notorious for traffic jams, especially during rush hours (8-10am and 5-7pm). Also, Paris has low-emission zones, so if you’re bringing a car, make sure to get the required environmental sticker in advance to avoid fines.