Cheapest Time to Fly to France (and the Most Expensive)
The cheapest time to fly to France is usually winter and late fall—while summer, late December, and major spring holiday weeks are the priciest.
Flights to France can swing a lot by season—mostly because demand spikes when the US and Europe hit vacation mode at the same time.
If you can travel in winter or late fall (and avoid the big holiday weeks), you’ll usually have much better odds of scoring a cheaper flight—especially into Paris.
Quick Take
- Cheapest time to fly to France: mid-January–March, November, and early December
- Most expensive time to fly to France: June–August, late December–early January, and late March–April holiday weeks
Cheapest Time to Fly to France
The cheapest flights to France usually show up when fewer travelers are crossing the Atlantic and airlines have more open seats to fill.
Mid-January to March (Post–New Year Dip)
Once the year-end rush ends, fares often drop and stay calmer for a while. This is one of the most consistent windows for cheaper flights to France.
Money-saving tip: If you can, fly Tuesday–Thursday—midweek departures often price better than weekend-heavy trips.
Exception: If your dates overlap school break weeks, prices can climb quickly.
November (Late-Fall Value)
November is often one of the best “deal months” for France flights—summer is long gone, and holiday travel hasn’t fully kicked in yet.
Money-saving tip: Look for early-to-mid November dates for the best deal odds.
Exception: Thanksgiving-week travel patterns from US airports can push some fares higher.
Early December (Pre-Holiday Lull)
Early December can be a great window before Christmas and New Year pricing takes over. You can often find noticeably better fares than later in the month.
Money-saving tip: Keep your return flexible—late-December returns are where pricing usually bites.
Exception: Once holiday breaks begin, the price jump can be fast.
Most Expensive Time to Fly to France
Higher fares usually come from the same pattern—people traveling at the same time for the same reason.
June to August (Summer Peak)
This is the toughest stretch for deals. Flights fill faster, nonstop options disappear first, and even “meh” itineraries can stay expensive.
Peak within peak: Late June through early August is often the roughest run for pricing.
Late December to Early January (Holiday Rush)
Year-end travel is usually the biggest price spike of the year. If you want France around Christmas or New Year, booking earlier usually matters more than “waiting.”
Peak within peak: Late-December departures and early-January returns.
Late March to April (Spring Holiday Weeks)
Spring holiday timing changes by year, but late March through April can price higher—especially when school breaks and Easter-week travel stack up.
Peak within peak: Weekend departures before the holiday week and Sunday/Monday returns after it.
On a Budget But Want Good Weather in France?
If you want comfortable weather without paying summer-level airfare, these windows are usually your best bet:
- May (after early-month holiday weeks): Spring feel, often cheaper than summer peak
- September (after Labor Day): Great weather, usually better deal odds than July–August
- Early October: Still comfortable in many areas, often steadier pricing than summer
Best Booking Window for Cheap Flights to France
Transatlantic pricing can change fast—especially when a good fare pops up.
- Low/shoulder seasons: start tracking 2–5 months ahead
- Popular seasons: start tracking 4–7+ months ahead
Extra tip: If you’re France-only, Paris is usually the easiest place to find the lowest base fare. If you’re doing multiple regions, consider an open-jaw trip—fly into Paris and out of Nice (or the reverse) to avoid backtracking.
Seasonal Flight Demand Chart for France
Use this chart as a quick guide to the cheapest vs. priciest months to fly.
| Month | Demand Level | Price Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | Low → Medium | Low → Medium | Deals improve after New Year travel ends |
| Feb | Low | Low | Often one of the better months for airfare |
| Mar | Medium | Medium | Prices can rise around school break timing |
| Apr | Medium → High | Medium → High | Spring holiday weeks can spike |
| May | Medium | Medium | Climbs as summer approaches |
| Jun | High | High | Summer peak begins |
| Jul | High | High | Peak summer pricing |
| Aug | High | High | Peak season continues |
| Sep | Medium | Medium | Often cools off after summer travel fades |
| Oct | Medium | Medium | Steady pricing, decent deal potential |
| Nov | Low | Low | One of the best deal months |
| Dec | Medium → Very High | Medium → Very High | Early deals, then holiday surge later in the month |
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Sara Miller
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