Cheap flights to France

Watching old men play petanque in a small village square; eating steak-frites on the pavement outside a Parisian cafe; enjoying a hot chocolate on top of Mont Blanc before skiing down the mountain or watching the jet-set sun themselves in St Tropez – the very “Frenchness” of our closest European neighbour has always seemed appealing. Though flights to France are just a short hop across the sea, culturally France feels a lifetime away.
 
But though all recognisably “French”, each region is very different. From the chic and sophisticated urban Paris to the small rural villages in Provence, there is a distinctive feel, and often dialect and food, everywhere you go. And, of course, the cuisine is as good a reason as any to book a flight to France.
 
Often acclaimed the best in the world, French food is a delight almost wherever you choose to eat. As well as the more exotic snails, frogs legs or foie gras, make sure you try the staples: cheese, crusty bread, wine, soup and meat. Even the vegetables seem to taste better than they do at home…

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France climate

France has a fairly temperate climate. The northeast has hot summers and cold winters while the northwest has lots of rain, high humidity, westerly winds and cool summers. There are harsh winters and hot summers in the Alps, Pyrenees and Massif Central mountains. The Mediterranean climate in southern France is very pleasant with mild winters and very hot summers. For 100 days out of the year, la Mistral, a cold, dry wind, blows in this area, especially in the spring. From mid-July through August, the cities empty out as the French take their vacations. If you can stand the heat, this can be a great time to visit the cities.

When is the best time to fly to France?

Peak Season:

Spring is a very popular time to visit France (especially Paris) when the weather is usually warm and prices for hotels and flights to France are affordable. Summer is peak season in the South – the beaches warm up from May onwards and tourists flock to the Cote d’Azur.

Wintertime is (obviously) peak season for skiing, both in the Alps and the Pyrenees. You can ski in the Alps from approximately December to March or April. Peak prices are around the Christmas holidays and the February half term. Winter holiday periods such as Christmas are often popular in the major cities as well, especially Paris.

Off Season:

Autumn time generally is off season throughout France.  Temperatures can still be warm though the days are quite short. Prices for skiing are lowest before Christmas – though snow is not guaranteed at this time and the temperatures can be excruciatingly cold – and at the end of the season (late March to early April).

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Getting around France

Trains are run by SNCF.They are excellent and speedy throughout the country and cover an extremely extensive network. Small towns without train stations are normally linked to the local station by bus.

The TGV is the high-speed intercity train service. There are also many night trains which travel more slowly than their counterparts in the day so you can go to sleep in one town and wake up in another.

Driving is easy. Wide, well-maintained roads with little traffic run throughout most of rural France. Remember to keep some spare change to hand to pay for the tolls.

Buses are cheaper than trains, but generally a lot slower and less comfortable. It is best to save bus travel for shorter trips.

Domestic French flights are available between major cities. Air France has many domestic flights.

How long is the flight to France?

Most flights to France will fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), also called Roissy Airport, located 23 km northeast of Paris city centre. Flight times to Paris CDG range from 11h 35min to 22h 45min. You can also fly into Orly Airport (ORL), which is 13 km south of Paris. Flight times to Paris Orly range from 17h 25min to 29h 40min. If you’re headed to the south of France, you can fly into Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE). Journey times to Nice range from 14h 15min to 24h.

Where can you get direct flights to France from?

You can get cheap flights to France from Hong Kong International Airport with a range of airlines, including Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Air France, Finnair, British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines. The only direct France flight deals from Hong Kong, however, are with Cathay Pacific to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). If you are flying to Nice, expect a stopover in Zurich (ZRH).

What is the best way to travel around France?

France is well-connected by rail, air and road. If you are planning on sticking to the main cities, it is a good idea to fly or go by train between cities and then use local transport within the city, as there can be quite a lot of traffic in the cities. If you are planning on exploring further afield, however, a rental car is a great option. The TGV (high-speed) trains in France offer an easy way to see the countryside and travel quickly between cities. For example, from Paris in the north of France to Nice on the south coast, the journey takes less than six hours and costs as little as HK$176. When in Paris, the metro service will get you around quickly and easily. You can also rent Velib bike for 1–7 days at a time.

What are some things to do in France?

Paris, known as the City of Lights, is the capital of France and is a destination in itself. Here you will find the famous sights, such as the Musée de Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Couer church and the Moulin Rouge. Visit Pont des Arts at sunset for a picnic overlooking the River Seine. Take a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens and see statues of French queens and renowned women. Take a trip out to Palais Versailles to tour the palace home of Louis XIV. In the south of France, you have the Côte d’Azur, or French Riviera, with cities like Antibes, Nice and Cannes that will give you a taste of the glamorous Mediterranean lifestyle. For natural beauty, head to the Gorge du Verdon, a canyon in southeastern France where you can do water sports. If you are a wine lover, tour the châteaux and vineyards of the Loire Valley or head to Champagne to try the genuine article. Don't miss the chance to visit the medieval walled city of Carcassonne or take in the Gothic architecture of the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel either.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to France?

If you are a Hong Kong passport holder and are visiting France for less than 90 days for tourism, you will need to apply online for an ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorisation System) visa waiver at least 72h prior to departure. To do so, you need a passport with at least three months validity, a debit or credit card to pay the fee of roughly HK$65, and an email address. The ETIAS is an electronic document that will be automatically linked to your passport when the waiver is granted.

What is good to know if travelling to France?

• There’s little you can’t find in gay Paris – home to some of the finest art galleries, most beautiful parks and stunning architecture in the world. Parisians are (rightfully) proud of their city, and have something of a reputation for being a bit “spiky”. If you want to immerse yourself in the Parisian lifestyle, rather than just enjoy it as a tourist, it’s essential to speak some French. At least appearing to make the effort will open many doors that will remain closed if you just speak in English.
• The summer destination of choice in the south is often Nice and the Cote d’Azur region. Less brash, however, (and less expensive) is Biarritz and the surrounding area of the Basque region on the southwest coast. The beach in Biarritz is popular with the elite (Queen Victoria of England vacationed here many times over the space of 30 years, and there is still a certain hauteur to many of the women who take walks along the beach front promenade) but also with surfers. The annual surf championships are held here every July.
• The Ville Rose, or pink city, Toulouse is a vibrant metropolis with a huge student population. A beautiful, old and historical city, Toulouse is also the hub of the French aerospace industry. Visit the Aerospatiale to see where the Airbus A330 is assembled or the Cite de L’Espace to find out all about space travel.
• Lyon is France’s second city and its situation near to the Alps, the Rhone and the south coast makes it the perfect base from which to explore the country. For something a little more unusual in the city itself, visit the Festival of Ancient Music. The festival takes place in the run-up to Christmas every year in the Chapelle de la Trinite.
• If you’re looking for accommodation in France, take a look at a site such as Trivago which includes user reviews and recommendations on hotels in all the main cities. Have a look at the page on hotels in Paris, Toulouse or Lyon.
• Thinking of buying a holiday home in France? Read our Buying Homes Abroad guide before making your big decision.