Airports in France

Airports in France: Getting To and From Major Airports

Airports in France are among the most well-connected and busiest in the world, making travel to and within the country incredibly convenient. Both Paris airports, the renowned Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport, serve as major gateways for international and domestic travelers alike. Whether you're flying to Paris or exploring other regions, France airports offer a wide range of destinations and services. With their modern facilities and extensive connections, each France airport ensures a seamless travel experience for millions of passengers annually.


Major Airports in France

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (IATA code: CDG)

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as CDG Airport or Aeroport Charles de Gaulle, is the largest and busiest France airport, handling millions of passengers annually. Located northeast of Paris, this major Paris airport serves as a hub for Air France and connects travelers to both domestic and international destinations with ease.

  • Number of passengers: ~57.4 million passengers annually
  • Location: Roissy-en-France, northeast of Paris
  • How to get from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to city center: RER B train, shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Paris, northern France, and global destinations

Shuttle bus from Charles de Gaulle Airport


Paris Orly Airport (IATA code: ORY)

Paris Orly Airport, also known as Aeroport Orly, is the older and smaller counterpart to Charles de Gaulle but remains one of the busiest airports in France. Located about 13 kilometers south of Paris, it serves primarily domestic traffic, while also connecting international travelers to a wide range of destinations. Despite its size, Paris Orly offers modern facilities, including Duty Free shops and restaurants, across its four terminals.

  • Number of passengers: ~29.1 million passengers annually
  • Location: 13 kilometers south of Paris
  • How to get from Paris Orly Airport to the city center: Orlyval light rail to RER B train, bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Paris, southern France, and domestic destinations

Shuttle bus from Orly Aeroport


Bordeaux Airport (IATA code: BOD)

Bordeaux Mérignac Airport, or simply Bordeaux Airport, is one of the busiest international airports in France, located 12 kilometers west of Bordeaux. As a major hub in the south of France, it stands out among the prominent airports in south of France, primarily serving flights to European and North African destinations. With three terminals—Hall A, Hall B, and the Billi Terminal, it also ranks among the largest airports in France, offering modern facilities and amenities.

  • Number of passengers: ~5.7 million passengers annually
  • Location: 12 kilometers west of Bordeaux
  • How to get from Bordeaux Mérignac Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, local transportation, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Bordeaux, southwestern France, and nearby international destinations

Paris Beauvais Airport (IATA code: BVA)

Beauvais Tillé Airport, also known as Beauvais Airport, is a popular airport near Paris known for hosting low-cost airlines. So, it is a convenient option among French airports for budget-conscious travelers. This airport outside Paris features two terminals with a variety of amenities. In addition, traveling from BVA Airport to Paris is straightforward, with shuttle buses and other transport options readily available.

  • Number of passengers: ~2 million passengers annually
  • Location: Beauvais, 85 kilometers north of Paris
  • How to get from Beauvais Tillé Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Beauvais, Paris, and nearby regions

Shuttle bus from Paris Beauvais Airport


Lyon Airport (IATA code: LYS)

Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, often referred to as Lyon Airport, serves the vibrant city of Lyon, the third largest city in France. Located 20 kilometers southeast of the city center, it is a key player among French airports, offering a mix of domestic and international flights to European and North African destinations. Named after the author of The Little Prince, the airport features two terminals with modern facilities for passengers.

  • Number of passengers: ~8.5 million passengers annually
  • Location: 20 kilometers southeast of Lyon city center
  • How to get from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport to city center: Rhône Express tram, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Lyon, southeastern France, and nearby international destinations

Marseille Airport (IATA code: MRS)

Marseille Provence Airport, often referred to as Marseille Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the south of France, located 27 kilometers northwest of Marseille. Serving as a gateway to the picturesque Provence region, it offers flights to both domestic and international destinations. With two terminals—Terminal 1 and Terminal 2—this hub among airports in southern France accommodates a mix of full-service and low-cost airlines, including RyanAir, EasyJet, Lufthansa, and Aegean Airlines.

  • Number of passengers: ~9 million passengers annually
  • Location: 27 kilometers northwest of Marseille
  • How to get from Marseille Provence Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Marseille, Provence, and destinations across southern Europe and North Africa

Nantes Airport (IATA code: NTE)

Nantes Airport, the largest airport in western France, is located 8 kilometers southwest of Nantes in Bouguenais. While not officially part of airports in Normandy France, it is often used by travelers heading to Normandy due to its proximity and excellent transport connections. Among French airports, it serves as a hub for Volotea and Transavia France and features a single passenger terminal with modern amenities.

  • Number of passengers: ~5.8 million passengers annually
  • Location: Bouguenais, 8 kilometers southwest of Nantes
  • How to get from Nantes Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Nantes, western France, and regions near Normandy

Shuttle bus from Nantes Airport


Nice Airport (IATA code: NCE)

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, or Nice Airport, is one of the busiest airports in France, located just 6 kilometers southeast of Nice. It serves flights to the Middle East, North America, and domestic destinations. Close to Monaco, the airport also offers a helicopter service to the city-state.

  • Number of passengers: ~12.1 million passengers annually
  • Location: 6 kilometers southeast of Nice
  • How to get from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to city center: Tram, bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Nice, Côte d’Azur, and Monaco

Shuttle bus from Nice Airport


Basel Mulhouse Airport (IATA code: BSL)

Officially known as EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, or simply Basel Airport, this tri-national hub is renowned for its location near the borders of France, Switzerland, and Germany. Although not entirely in France, it is often listed as an airport in France due to its proximity to Mulhouse. The airport has a single terminal with five levels and serves airlines like EasyJet, Belair, and Air Berlin.

  • Number of passengers: ~7 million passengers annually
  • Location: 3.5 kilometers northwest of Basel, Switzerland; 20 kilometers from Mulhouse, France
  • How to get from Mulhouse Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Basel, Mulhouse, Freiburg, and surrounding international regions

Shuttle bus from Basel Mulhouse Airport


Toulouse Airport (IATA code: TLS)

Toulouse Airport, or Toulouse Blagnac Airport, is a major international airport in France and one of the busiest airports in southern France, located 7 kilometers northwest of Toulouse. It connects southern France with destinations in Morocco, Algeria, and Europe, serving airlines like Volotea, RyanAir, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines.

  • Number of passengers: ~3.8 million passengers annually
  • Location: 7 kilometers northwest of Toulouse city center, partially in Blagnac
  • How to get from Toulouse Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, tram, taxi, or private transfer
  • Ideal for reaching: Toulouse, Andorra, Lourdes, and southern France

Smaller Airports in France

Ajaccio Airport (IATA code: AJA)

  • Also called: Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, Campo dell’Oro Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~1.66 million passengers annually
  • Location: 5 km east of Ajaccio, Corsica
  • How to get from Ajaccio Airport to city center: Shuttle bus (Line 8) – approximately 20 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Ajaccio, Propriano, Corte, Calvi (Corsica)

Montpellier Airport (IATA code: MPL)

  • Also called: Fréjorgues Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~1.9 million passengers annually
  • Location: 7 km southeast of Montpellier, Occitanie region
  • How to get from Montpellier Airport to city center: Shuttle bus, tram, or train
  • Ideal for reaching: Montpellier, Nîmes, Avignon, Sète, Béziers, Carcassonne

Bastia Airport (IATA code: BIA)

  • Also called: Poretta Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~1.5 million passengers annually
  • Location: 17 km south of Bastia, Corsica
  • How to get from Bastia Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 35 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Bastia, Ville-di-Pietrabugno, Furiani, Patrimonio, San-Martino-di-Lota (Corsica)

Béziers Airport (IATA code: BZR)

  • Also called: Cap d’Agde Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.3 million passengers annually
  • Location: 11.5 km southeast of Béziers, Occitanie region
  • How to get from Béziers Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 30 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Béziers, Maraussan, Maureilhan, Boujan-sur-Libron, Villeneuve-lès-Béziers

Biarritz Airport (IATA code: BIQ)

  • Also called: Pays Basque Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~1.2 million passengers annually
  • Location: 5 km southeast of Biarritz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
  • How to get from Biarritz Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 20 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Biarritz, Anglet, Bidart, Bayonne, Arbonne, San Sebastián

Brest Airport (IATA code: BES)

  • Also called: Brest Guipavas Airport, Brest Bretagne Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~1.1 million passengers annually
  • Location: 10 km northeast of Brest, Brittany region
  • How to get from Brest Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 10 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Brest, Guilers, Bohars, Plouzané, Guipavas

Carcassonne Airport (IATA code: CCF)

  • Also called: Salvaza Airport, Carcassonne Salvaza Airport, Carcassonne Airport in Pays Cathare
  • Number of passengers: ~0.4 million passengers annually
  • Location: 3 km west of Carcassonne, Occitanie region
  • How to get from Carcassonne Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 30 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Carcassonne, Cazilhac, Lavalette, Berriac, Pennautier

Chambéry Airport (IATA code: CMF)

  • Also called: Chambéry-Savoie Airport, Chambéry Aix-les-Bains Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.3 million passengers annually
  • Location: 10 km south of Chambéry, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
  • How to get from Chambéry Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 15 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Chambéry, Cognin, Barberaz, Jacob-Bellecombette, Montagnole

Dinard Airport (IATA code: DNR)

  • Also called: Dinard–Pleurtuit–Saint-Malo Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.1 million passengers annually
  • Location: 5 km south of Dinard, Brittany region
  • How to get from Dinard Airport to city center: Taxi
  • Ideal for reaching: Dinard, La Richardais, Pleurtuit, Ploubalay, Lancieux

Figari Airport (IATA code: FSC)

  • Also called: Figari–Sud Corse Airport, Figari South Corsica Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.7 million passengers annually
  • Location: 3 km northwest of Figari, Corsica
  • How to get from Figari Airport to city center: Public bus – approximately 30 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Figari, Bonifacio, Sotta, Porto-Vecchio

Grenoble Airport (IATA code: GNB)

  • Also called: Alpes–Isère Airport, Grenoble-Isère Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.4 million passengers annually
  • Location: 40 km northwest of Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
  • How to get from Grenoble Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 30 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Grenoble, La Tronche, Sassenage, Meylan, Saint-Martin-d’Hères

Ile de Re Airport (IATA code: LRH)

  • Also called: La Rochelle Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.3 million passengers annually
  • Location: 5 km northwest of La Rochelle, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
  • How to get from Ile de Re Airport to city center: Public bus – approximately 15 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: La Rochelle, La Flotte, Loix, Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Lille Airport (IATA code: LIL)

  • Also called: Lille-Lesquin Airport, Lesquin Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~2 million passengers annually
  • Location: 8 km southeast of Lille, Hauts-de-France region
  • How to get from Lille Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 20 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Lille, Lambersart, La Madeleine, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, Loos

Limoges Airport (IATA code: LIG)

  • Also called: Limoges–Bellegarde Airport
  • Number of passengers: ~0.4 million passengers annually
  • Location: 6 km northwest of Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
  • How to get from Limoges Airport to city center: Public bus – approximately 15 minutes
  • Ideal for reaching: Limoges, Panazol, Feytiat, Isle

Nîmes Airport (IATA code: FNI)

Also called: Nîmes–Alès–Camargue–Cévennes Airport, Garons Airport, Nîmes Garons Airport
Number of passengers: ~0.2 million passengers annually
Location: 12 km south of Nîmes, Occitanie region
How to get from Nîmes Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 20 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Nîmes, Poulx, Marguerittes, Rodilhan, Caissargues


Pau Airport (IATA code: PUF)

Also called: Pau Pyrénées Airport
Number of passengers: ~0.6 million passengers annually
Location: 10 km northwest of Pau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region
How to get from Pau Airport to city center: Public bus – approximately 15 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Pau, Jurançon, Gellos, Bizanos, Billère


Perpignan Airport (IATA code: PGF)

Also called: Perpignan–Rivesaltes Airport, Llabanère Airport
Number of passengers: ~0.4 million passengers annually
Location: 5 km north of Perpignan, Occitanie region
How to get from Perpignan Airport to city center: Shuttle bus – approximately 25 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Perpignan, Cabestany, Pollestres, Toulouges, Canet-en-Roussillon


Strasbourg Airport (IATA code: SXB)

Also called: No other names
Number of passengers: ~1.2 million passengers annually
Location: 12 km southwest of Strasbourg, Grand Est region
How to get from Strasbourg Airport to city center: Train – approximately 10 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Strasbourg, Kehl, Eckbolsheim, Schiltigheim, Lingolsheim


Toulon Airport (IATA code: TLN)

Also called: Toulon–Hyères Airport, Hyères Le Palyvestre Airport
Number of passengers: ~0.5 million passengers annually
Location: 19 km east of Toulon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region
How to get from Toulon Airport to city center: Public bus – approximately 30 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Toulon, Hyères, La-Valette-du-Var, La Garde, Ollioules


Tours Airport (IATA code: TUF)

Also called: Tours Val de Loire Airport
Number of passengers: ~0.2 million passengers annually
Location: 6 km northeast of Tours, Centre-Val de Loire region
How to get from Tours Airport to city center: Bus – approximately 20 minutes
Ideal for reaching: Tours, Saint-Avertin, Parcay-Meslay, La-Membrolle-sur-Choisille


Airports in France with Less Than 100,000 Passengers per Year

  • Bergerac Airport – IATA code EGC
  • Châlons Vatry Airport – IATA code XCR
  • Poitiers Airport – IATA code PIS
  • Rodez Airport – IATA code RDZ
  • Saint Etienne Airport – IATA code EBU

Airports in the neighboring countries


FAQs

What is the major airport in France?

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the largest and busiest airport in France, located about 23 km northeast of Paris. It serves as a key international gateway for the country.

Where does Ryanair fly into in France?

Ryanair flies into several French airports, including Paris Beauvais (BVA), Marseille (MRS), Bordeaux (BOD), and Nice (NCE). These airports connect major cities and regional hubs across France.

How many airports are there in France?

France has 34 international airports and numerous regional airports, forming an extensive air travel network.

Which airport is better in France?

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is ideal for international flights, while Paris Orly (ORY) is more convenient for domestic and short-haul travel. Other airports like Nice and Lyon are also highly rated.

Is CDG or ORY better?

CDG is larger and better for international flights, while ORY is closer to the city and suited for domestic and short-haul trips. Choose based on your travel needs.

How far is Beauvais Airport from Paris city center?

Beauvais Airport is about 85 km from Paris city center. A shuttle bus ride to Porte Maillot takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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