Travelling from Washington DC to Paris: what you need to know
You can choose from a range of airports when planning your flight from Washington DC to Paris. Explore your options for jetting out of Washington DC from Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Paris has a variety of airports you can jet into. Come in for landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris Orly Airport (ORY) or Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA).
The average length of a direct Washington DC to Paris flight is 7 hours 35 minutes.
Paris is five hours ahead of Washington DC and follows the UTC+1 timezone.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. That way, you won't have to rush to catch your Washington DC to Paris flight.
During popular months like July, it's best to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during a peak period in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to Paris
To find cheap Washington DC to Paris flights, book ahead. Airlines typically offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest plane tickets from Washington DC to Paris across each month. It's a good way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Snapping up a cheap flight from Washington DC to Paris is a piece of cake with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as the price has dropped.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' Washington DC to Paris flights.
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Consider adding a stopover to potentially save on your Washington DC to Paris flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Ronald Reagan National Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Located around 6 kms (4 miles) from central Washington DC, DCA can be reached in about 15 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 45 minutes.
After an easy start to your journey? Stay near Ronald Reagan National Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Washington DC to Paris or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are ideal:
When it comes to Ronald Reagan National Airport's on-time performance, 76.44% of flights arrive within the expected time frame.
DCA's address is 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
You can catch a direct flight from Washington DC to Paris leaving from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Start your journey at IAD and touch down at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
From IAD, you can book a direct Washington DC to Paris plane ticket with Air France.
Make the most of your holiday with a stopover on your Washington DC to Paris flight. Visit family or friends or tick a new city off your list. Whatever you choose to do, check out these options between Washington Dulles International Airport and Paris:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
IAD is about 40 kms (25 miles) from central Washington DC. It takes 50 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before your flight from Washington DC to Paris, kick back in one of these hotels close to Washington Dulles International Airport:
As far as flight punctuality goes, Washington Dulles International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 74%.
IAD is located at 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Choosing a ticket from Washington DC to Paris with one or more stops can give you more choice of departure times on top of cheaper fares. When leaving from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), here are a few places you can detour to on the way to Paris:
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)
From central Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kms (25 miles) away. It takes roughly 50 minutes to reach the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so on public transport.
Make catching an early Washington DC to Paris flight the easiest part of your trip. Stay at one of these accommodation options close to Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport and get to the check-in counter without rushing:
Flights that depart from BWI reach their destination within the expected time frame 77.13% of the time.
Arriving in Paris
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
The distance from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to central Paris is approximately 23 kms (14 miles). It takes around 45 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Washington DC to Paris. Stay at one of these accommodation options near CDG instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Charles de Gaulle Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Alamo, Keddy By Europcar or Europcar and explore beyond Paris's main sights.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from Charles de Gaulle Airport about two weeks ahead of your trip.
CDG is located at 95711, Roissy Charles de Gaulle.
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is roughly 14 kms (9 miles) from central Paris. After your flight from Washington DC to Paris, it takes approximately 35 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
The trip will take about 55 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near ORY. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your flight from Washington DC to Paris:
Alamo, Europcar and Keddy By Europcar make picking up a Paris Orly Airport rental car quick and easy. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on the road before long.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from ORY one week in advance often means lower prices and a wider range of vehicles.
The address for Paris Orly Airport is 94396 Orly Aérogare.
Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA)
Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA) is around 72 kms (45 miles) from the centre of Paris. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to reach the city centre in a ride-share or cab once you've hopped off your flight from Washington DC to Paris.
If you use public transport, the journey time is about 2 hours 20 minutes.
Stay at a hotel near BVA and go from the plane to your bed in a flash. Whether you're catching a late Washington DC to Paris flight or just want a stress-free arrival, these stays will have you settling in quickly:
Whether you want a mini for a solo getaway or a roomy SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the right Beauvais-Tille Airport rental car for you. Check out wheels available here from providers such as Loca Malin, Budget and Europcar.
Enjoy a payoff when you plan ahead. Book your vehicle from BVA three weeks before your flight from Washington DC to Paris to access the best deals.
The street address for Beauvais-Tille Airport is Tille 60000, Beauvais.
Best time to go to Paris
January is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to Paris, while June is the most popular. Figure out the best time to visit Paris based on whether you want a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
The warmest month in Paris is August, with temperatures ranging between 13ºC (55ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Lock in your Washington DC to Paris ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between -2ºC (28ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF). Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to Paris around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Paris
After booking your flight from Washington DC to Paris, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Paris:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum and Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris are top attractions which should feature on any good Paris itinerary.
Explore more of France
Lyon is just one of the many places in France waiting to be discovered once you've seen Paris. Around 240 miles to the south-east, its top attractions include Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere, Musée des Confluences and Vieux Lyon - Saint-Jean - Saint-Georges.
Nantes is another standout destination in France and is around 210 miles south-west of Paris. No trip is complete without seeing Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, Les Machines de L'ile and Jardin des Plantes.