Cheap flights to
France

People ask us all the time if there’s a day of the week when flight prices typically drop. There’s not, but there is a window when prices are generally cheaper. It’s not too far away from your departure date but not too last-minute either. We call it the Goldilocks Window, and it’s about 1–3 months before a domestic trip and 2–8 months before an international trip.

That said, if you plan to travel during a busy season, it’s best to look on the earlier side. For a July trip to France, start looking for flights in January. Whatever you do, don’t wait until the month of your flight. We see fares jump during busy travel periods at the 21-, 14-, and 7-day points before departure dates, so book before then if possible.

Sometimes, especially during peak travel seasons, flight prices just don’t budge. Before you give up on summer in France, try our Greek Islands Trick. It can be a major money saver, and despite the name, it doesn’t only apply to the Greek islands.

The idea is to get as close to your final destination for the cheapest price possible, then find a regional budget airline flight or other transit option for the final leg. If flights to France are out of your price range, look for flights to Brussels, Geneva, Amsterdam, or any other European city. You can even look for flights to other airports in France that aren’t your main destination. If you see a great deal, look for a cheap regional airline flight or consider taking the train for the last leg of your journey. This type of travel takes more effort, but it could save you a few hundred bucks. If your time is flexible, you might even have time to see another city along the way.

This is like the Greek Islands Trick but on the departure side. Let’s say you live in Charleston, South Carolina. Flights from Charleston to France over the summer could be upwards of $1,400. Instead, look for flights out of Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, or Atlanta. If you see a flight for a fraction of the cost, it could be worth the drive to get there for the transatlantic leg of your journey.

We see fantastic deals from airports all over the country, so sometimes even taking a short flight can save you money. For example, if you see a deal from New York to France for $400, you could look into cheap flights from Charleston to New York. If you find one for around $250, you’re still saving overall on your trip to France.

Shoulder seasons—the months just before and after a busy season––are some of the best times to travel, not only because you won’t have as many crowds but because flights and hotels are usually cheaper.

While summer in France is lovely, it’s also in demand, meaning airlines can charge more for tickets. Beat the system by just missing the crowds. To save even more money, travel during the off season, from January to April. You won’t get the beaches of southern France or as much al fresco dining in Paris, but there are so many museums and other things to see indoors.

Thanksgiving week is a hidden cheap week to travel abroad. Most US travelers fly domestically during that time, so domestic flights are expensive while international flights are often surprisingly cheap.

Even if you are traveling during peak season, there are still ways to save. Try to fly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, which are generally the cheapest days to fly. Avoid Fridays and Sundays, the most expensive days.

Setting flight alerts is one of the easiest ways to simplify travel planning and save money on a trip. All you have to do is set your travel dates and destination and wait for an email telling you prices have dropped into your target price range or by a noteworthy amount. If your dates or airports are flexible, set multiple alerts. Do this before the Goldilocks Window we talked about above so you can see prices drop.

France has several large airports and is very well connected to the US, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia. Most visitors can fly to France nonstop, and almost anyone in the world can reach the country with just one connection.