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New York (JFK) to Paris (CDG) Flights

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About this route

About seven hours going east, a little over eight coming back. There is plenty of capacity on this route and fares reflect that, so the money is usually saved on timing rather than on hunting for an obscure airline. Where people do lose time and temper is at Charles de Gaulle itself, which is worth understanding before you land in it.

Charles de Gaulle is not one airport

CDG is spread across separate terminals that are genuinely far apart, and moving between them means a shuttle train and a queue. If you are connecting onward to another European city, look at which terminal each leg uses before you accept a ninety minute connection, because ninety minutes across terminals at CDG is optimistic. If you are ending your trip in Paris it matters less, but arrivals halls differ enormously in how long passport control takes.

Getting into the city

The RER B train runs from the airport to central Paris in around thirty five minutes and costs very little. Taxis into Paris work on a fixed flat rate rather than the meter, which removes the usual argument, and for two or more people with luggage it is often the sensible choice after an overnight flight. Both beat the airport coach unless your hotel happens to sit next to where it stops.

August looks cheap for a reason

Paris empties out in August. A lot of the restaurants and smaller shops that people come for simply close, and the city runs on tourists rather than Parisians. Fares soften a little, but you are paying for a thinner version of the place. May, June, September and early October are the months worth spending on.

Orly, and the rest of France

Orly handles some transatlantic traffic and can be more convenient depending on where you are staying, though CDG has far more nonstop choice from New York. If Paris is a gateway rather than the destination, the TGV out of the airport station reaches Lyon, Bordeaux and beyond faster than a connecting flight and with far less hassle. We will price that as part of the itinerary if it fits.

Common questions

How long is the flight from JFK to Paris?
Around seven hours eastbound and just over eight on the return, with headwinds accounting for the difference.
How much connection time do I need at CDG?
More than you think if you are changing terminals. Terminals at Charles de Gaulle are a shuttle ride apart, so treat ninety minutes as tight and two hours as reasonable.
What is the best way into the city from CDG?
The RER B train takes around thirty five minutes and is inexpensive. Taxis run on a fixed flat rate into Paris, which is usually worth it for two or more people with bags after an overnight.
Is August a good time to fly to Paris?
It is cheaper, but a lot of Paris closes for the month. If you are going for the food and the neighbourhoods rather than the monuments, May, June, September or early October will serve you far better.