France has one of the best transport infrastructure in the world, allowing easy access to the whole country.
French International Airports and Transportation
French international airports provide direct access to numerous French regions and cities. If you wish to continue your journey, France has many regional airports and very extensive rail and road networks.
The 3 busiest French airports
To reach France, international flights are available to many destinations in France. There are more than 150 airports in France, however the 3 busiest airports are:
Paris-Orly Airport
This airport has 3 tourist welcome and information points that provide information and advice about Paris and its region, a ticket sales service for shows, transportation tickets, tourist products and hotel reservations. These spaces also offer business travelers information about professional events in the region and access to the airport's business services. These spaces are located at Orly Terminal 1 (arrivals level gate 14 A) and at Terminal 3 (arrivals level baggage claim exit). They are open 7 days a week, from 7:15 AM to 8:30 PM (exceptional closures: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th). A 3rd welcome point is located at Terminal 4 (arrivals level gate 48 A), open Monday to Saturday from 11:15 AM to 6:15 PM. Closed Sundays, January 1st, May 1st, December 25th.
Since June 2024, Paris-Orly airport has been connected to central and northern Paris thanks to the extension of line 14 which came into operation. This line will extend further north of the capital with the creation of the Saint-Denis Pleyel station.
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Offering the same information and services, this international airport's welcome points are located at terminal 2C gate 5 (7:30 AM to 2:30 PM), terminal 2B/D (arrivals 7:15 AM to 8:45 PM), terminal 2E (arrivals connecting gallery gate 7) (7:15 AM to 8:45 PM), terminal 2F (arrivals gate 11) (7:15 AM to 8:45 PM) and terminal 1 arrivals gate 4 (7 AM to 8:45 PM). Exceptional closures of welcome points: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th.
Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport is connected to central and southern Paris by RER B. Another option: Roissybus departing from the Opera.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport
The third busiest airport in France, Nice airport allows you to explore southern France.
Many other international airports allow you to access your chosen destination directly: Marseille Provence, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry, Toulouse-Blagnac, Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (Alsace), Bordeaux Mérignac, Nantes Atlantique, Ajaccio-Napoleon Bonaparte, Paris-Beauvais-Tillé, Paris-Vatry.
In the overseas territories: Pointe-à-Pitre Pôle Caraïbes (PTP), La Réunion Roland-Garros (RUN), Fort-de-France Aimé-Césaire (FDF), Tahiti-Faaa International Airport (PPT), Saint-Pierre Pointe-Blanche Airport (FSP), Miquelon Aerodrome (MQC), and Nouméa-La Tontouta International Airport (NOU).
Airlines
There are many airlines available depending on your country of origin.
Please note that a blacklist of airlines that are not allowed to fly to France and the European Union has been drawn up (see the list of airlines that are banned from operating in the EU).
Passengers have several means of transport at their disposal, both public and private, to get to and from Paris airports. From buses to chauffeur-driven limousines, RER trains, taxis and private transport companies, there is a wide range of options available.
Regulations regarding stay formalities
Do you wish to stay in France? The stay procedures and administrative steps to plan vary essentially according to your country of origin.
Procedures for staying in France as a European (from an EU or EEA member country)
Tourism, studies, internship, employment... You have full freedom to stay in France for a maximum stay of 3 months, including with members of your immediate family. Only requirement: be in possession of a valid passport or identity document. Moreover, even if you plan to engage in an activity, you will not need to obtain a residence permit or work authorization.
Procedures for a short-term stay (90 days) in France as a non-European (EES and ETIAS)
- Are you a national of a third country to the European Union preparing your trip to France? Even for a stay of less than 3 months, you must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa (90 days). Non-European nationals wishing to enter or exit France as well as the entire Schengen Area must also submit to the Entry Exit System (EES) starting October 12, 2025. Gone are the stamps placed on travelers' passports upon entry and exit from French territory. A new data recording system is being implemented for short stays (maximum duration of 90 days) to control entries, exits, entry refusals and stay durations.
- By the last quarter of 2026, non-European nationals exempt from visa for a short stay will need to provide travel authorization for France and all countries in the expanded Schengen Area (30 countries). Valid for 90 days and lasting 3 years, this ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) travel authorization will be issued within 96 hours after completing an online form. Travelers will need to pay a fee of 20 euros. The ETIAS travel authorization will not apply to visitors under 18 and people over 70. Note that non-European nationals exempt from visa will also need to submit to the Entry Exit System (EES).
- Furthermore, depending on the purpose of their trip, other administrative documents are required: documents proving means of subsistence, proof of accommodation, documents about the purpose of your stay in France... If your stay is (also) an opportunity to work, holding a work authorization is then required.
Note: the Schengen short-stay visa is also necessary for simple transit through France if you leave the airport zone (airport change, hotel stay or staying with acquaintances while waiting for a connection).
Everything you need to know about the new EES and ETIAS systems:
Also read:
Baggage regulations during your journey
Your baggage may be searched at any airport in France.
Example: Baggage and passengers travelling to a foreign country, in transit via Paris, Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport or Paris Orly.
Airport boarding tax
No airport tax is levied on passengers boarding at the airport.
Currency regulations
Regulations on importing currency are the same as those on exporting currency.
Regulations on exporting currency apply to both local currency (Euro - EUR) and foreign currencies: there are no restrictions if you are travelling to or from a European Union country.
If you are arriving directly from or departing to a country outside the EU: amounts exceeding €10,000 (or the equivalent in one or more other currencies, including bank drafts, cheques and other types of currency) must be declared to customs.
Tips and recommendations
Do you fly to France? Once you arrive at the airport, there are plenty of eco-friendly transport options available. Trains, coaches, metros, trams and bicycles are all well developed. These options not only allow you to help preserve the environment by reducing the carbon footprint of your trip, but are also very practical and enjoyable, allowing you to avoid wasting time during layovers and better appreciate the geography and landscapes of France. Enjoy exploring France!
By Explore France
Le site France.fr vous parle d'une France inattendue qui revisite la tradition et cultive la créativité. Une France bien au-delà de ce que vous imaginez...
