Flights to Paris: Fares and Flights from Athens

Flights to Paris from Athens typically cost around €60–180 one way and €120–300 return when lower fares are available outside peak periods. Prices rise significantly during holidays, summer weekends and close to departure. A direct flight takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes. Aegean and Air France serve Charles de Gaulle, while Transavia flies to Orly. Cheaper options are usually available in January and February, outside public and school holidays, and on selected dates in November.

The figures below are indicative budget ranges, not live offers. They are per person in economy class and do not assume checked baggage is included. The final price depends on your dates, fare type, availability and extras.

At a glance

• Route: Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, to Paris airports.
• Off-peak fares: around €60–180 one way or €120–300 return.
• High-demand fares: roughly €220–500 return, though prices can exceed this range.
• Direct flight time: approximately 3 hours 30–50 minutes.
• Direct airlines: Aegean, Air France and Transavia; check schedules for your dates.
• Best value: often in winter outside holidays, with flexible departure and return dates.
• What to compare: the total fare, baggage, flight times and transfers from your arrival airport.

Which airlines fly from Athens to Paris?

Direct flights

Aegean and Air France connect Athens directly with Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as CDG. Transavia serves Orly, or ORY. Frequencies, departure times and availability vary by season, so check the exact dates of your trip.

Do not assume that every airline appearing in a search operates its own direct flight. The result may be a codeshare flight or an itinerary with a connection. Check the “operated by” information. Other low-cost airlines may change their seasonal routes, so confirm their schedules.

Connecting flights

One-stop options may be available via Frankfurt or Munich with Lufthansa, Zurich with SWISS, Vienna with Austrian and Amsterdam with KLM. The journey often takes around 5–8 hours, but a longer layover can add considerably to the total.

A connection is worth considering if it substantially reduces the overall cost or fits your schedule better. Choose a single through-ticket where possible. With separate bookings, a delay to your first flight does not guarantee a free transfer to the next available service, and you may need to collect and recheck your baggage.

How much do flights cost by season?

The season affects fares, but it is not a reliable guide on its own. A weekend during a major exhibition can cost more than a summer weekday. For an initial budget, allow for the following ranges:

• January–February, outside holidays: around €60–140 one way and €120–240 return.
• March–May, outside Easter holiday periods: around €80–200 one way and €160–350 return.
• June–August: around €100–260 one way and €200–450 return.
• September–November: around €70–200 one way and €140–350 return, with demand often higher in September.
• Christmas, New Year and other peak periods: around €120–300 one way and €240–550 return.

These are not recorded minimum or maximum fares. Special offers may be lower, while flights with few seats remaining can cost considerably more. If you are travelling in December, read our guide to Christmas in Paris: markets and a three-day itinerary before finalising your dates and accommodation.

When to book for cheaper flights

For an off-peak trip, start comparing fares around 6–12 weeks ahead. For Christmas, Easter or travel on fixed dates, it makes sense to monitor prices 3–6 months in advance. These are planning windows, not a guarantee that the lowest fare will appear then.

Check departures and returns two or three days either side of your preferred dates. Moving your return from Sunday to another day may help, but factor in the cost of an extra night's accommodation. There is no fixed day or time to book that guarantees a cheaper ticket.

Set a price alert and decide in advance what total cost you are comfortable with. Our 20 tips for cheap flights will help you compare beyond the headline fare. By contrast, last-minute flights require flexibility and are not a reliable strategy for popular long weekends.

How long is the flight, and which airport will you arrive at?

A direct Athens–Paris flight is usually scheduled to take 3 hours 30–50 minutes. The scheduled time includes aircraft movements on the ground and varies with the route and conditions. The return flight will not necessarily take the same amount of time.

France is one hour behind Greece. Flight tickets show local times, so simply subtracting the departure time from the arrival time can be misleading. When planning the whole journey, allow time to arrive at Athens International Airport before your flight and to reach your hotel in Paris. Find out more in our guide to Athens–Paris flight times and fares.

CDG is northeast of the city, while ORY is to the south. Broader searches may also show Beauvais, BVA, which is much farther from Paris. Its appearance in the results does not mean there is a direct flight from Athens on your dates.

Getting from the airport to central Paris

From Charles de Gaulle

The RER B connects CDG with stations including Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. The journey to central stations takes around 30–45 minutes from the airport railway station. Allow extra time to walk from your terminal and wait for a train. As a rough budget, allow €12–15 per adult for an airport rail ticket.

Official taxis charge a fixed fare to addresses within Paris, depending on which bank of the Seine you are heading to. Budget around €55–75 and 45–90 minutes, depending on traffic. Check current fares and use the official taxi rank. See our detailed guide to transfer options from Charles de Gaulle to Paris.

From Orly

Metro line 14 connects Orly directly with central hubs such as Châtelet and Saint-Lazare. The ride to Châtelet takes around 25–30 minutes. An airport ticket typically costs about €12–15. Do not assume that a standard metro ticket covers this journey.

For an official taxi to Paris, budget around €35–50 and 30–60 minutes, potentially longer in heavy traffic. Your accommodation's location will help determine the most convenient option. Compare transfers from Orly Airport to Paris before booking.

If your ticket says Beauvais

Allow around 75–100 minutes for the coach to its designated arrival point in the wider Paris area, at an indicative cost of €15–25 each way. You will need additional time to reach your hotel. Arrival points, schedules and fares change, so check the official shuttle service before buying a ticket.

Paris: what to see and when to visit

For a first visit, four or five days give you time to see the main sights without constantly rushing. Paris is easier to explore when you group nearby areas together rather than cross the city for every stop. You could spend one day along the Seine, on the Île de la Cité and in the Latin Quarter, a second at the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden, and a third around the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro. Leave time for a stroll and a proper meal, rather than spending the whole day getting from place to place.

At the Louvre, decide which collections interest you before arriving. The museum is far too large to explore fully in a few hours, and trying to see everything is usually exhausting. The Musée d’Orsay is a good choice for anyone interested in Impressionism and 19th-century painting. Avoid scheduling two major museums on the same day unless they are the main focus of your trip. Check opening days, temporary exhibitions and timed-entry availability on the official websites.

For the Eiffel Tower, treat exploring the area and going up the tower as separate activities. A walk around Trocadéro and along the Seine offers different views without a ticket. If you want to go up, book the appropriate access option well ahead and allow time for security checks. On the Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame has reopened following its restoration. Check the current entry guidance and distinguish between visiting the cathedral itself and any additional visits or activities.

The Marais is ideal for an afternoon stroll, with stops around Place des Vosges, small museums and shops. Montmartre has hills and plenty of steps, so wear comfortable shoes and avoid adding it to an already exhausting day. The area around Sacré-Cœur is usually busier, while the side streets offer quieter walks. For a break without a particular sight to tick off, the Luxembourg Gardens and Canal Saint-Martin are worthwhile additions to your itinerary.

Spring and early autumn often bring pleasant weather for long walks, although rain is always possible. May and September are not necessarily cheap: public holidays, exhibitions and business events can push up hotel prices in particular. Summer brings long days, but also the possibility of intense heat. Some small businesses close for holidays in August, even though the city remains busy with visitors.

Winter suits trips focused on museums, cafés and indoor activities, provided you are happy with cold weather and shorter days. To keep the overall cost down, always compare flights and accommodation together: a cheap departure may coincide with an expensive week for hotels. Versailles needs almost a full day of its own, so it is better to limit major excursions on a short three-day break. Our detailed Paris travel guide will help you plan your stops around your interests and available time.

Where to stay

In Paris, being close to a useful metro station often matters more than being near a famous landmark. The Marais and Latin Quarter are convenient for exploring much of the centre on foot, but usually cost more. Areas around République or Bastille offer plenty of transport connections, with the atmosphere varying from street to street.

Check the route from the airport, especially if you arrive late or are travelling with children. Look into lift access, room size and additional tourist taxes. Our guide to where to stay in Paris by neighbourhood will help you choose accommodation that suits your daily plans.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The cheapest fare does not necessarily include a cabin suitcase for the overhead locker. It may cover only a small personal item that fits under the seat in front. Check this for every airline and fare type, not just low-cost carriers.

• Check size and weight limits: rules differ and may change.
• Add baggage before comparing prices: paying at the airport often costs more.
• Check each leg separately: different airlines may have different cabin baggage allowances.
• Factor in seat selection and changes: a higher fare may include services you need.

For a short trip with a backpack, a low-cost option may offer good value. For a longer stay with luggage, judge the final price rather than the first fare shown in the results.

Practical tips before booking

• Travel documents: Greek citizens need a valid passport or an accepted national identity card. Pay particular attention to the validity of older-style identity cards, and do not treat the digital ID on your phone as a document for international travel.
• Passenger details: enter your full name exactly as it appears on your travel document.
• Late arrival: confirm the last public transport departures and whether late check-in is available.
• Ticket changes: read the rules on fees and any fare difference before paying.
• Getting around the city: check for planned works and disruptions on the lines you will use.

The most useful comparison considers flights, baggage, airports and accommodation together. This prevents a small saving on your ticket from being swallowed up by an expensive transfer or an extra night's stay.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Athens–Paris flight cost?

Outside peak periods, budget around €60–180 one way and €120–300 return. Baggage, holidays and limited availability can increase the price considerably.

How long is the flight from Athens to Paris?

A direct flight takes around 3 hours 30–50 minutes. With a connection, the total journey time depends mainly on the layover at the connecting airport.

Which airlines fly directly from Athens to Paris?

Aegean and Air France fly to Charles de Gaulle, while Transavia flies to Orly. Check the schedule for your dates, as frequencies and seasonal routes vary.

Which airline is cheapest for Paris?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Compare the final price with the same baggage allowance and factor in the airport transfer, rather than looking only at the basic fare.

Which month has the cheapest flights to Paris?

January and February outside holidays, along with selected dates in November, often offer cheaper options. School holidays and events can change the picture.

Which Paris airport offers the best value?

It depends on the fare and where you are staying. Orly is served by metro line 14 and Charles de Gaulle by the RER B. Beauvais requires a longer road transfer.