You’d think hopping across the Channel would be the simplest thing in the world. It’s a literal stone's throw. But if you’re looking at flights from Paris to London Heathrow, you’ve probably realized it is surprisingly easy to mess this up. Between the two major hubs—Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY)—and the beast that is Heathrow (LHR), there is a lot of noise. Honestly, most travelers just click the first cheap fare they see on a search engine without realizing they might be landing in a terminal that’s a $100 cab ride from where they actually need to be.
The Airlines That Actually Fly This Route
Forget the dozens of logos you see on booking sites. When it comes to direct flights from Paris to London Heathrow, the heavy lifting is done by two giants: British Airways and Air France.
They own this corridor.
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As of early 2026, British Airways (BA) remains the most frequent operator. They run about 8 to 10 flights a day out of CDG alone. Air France isn't far behind, usually clocking in around 6 or 7 daily rotations. You also have Vueling and Iberia operating out of Orly, which is a massive detail people miss. If you are staying on the Left Bank or near Montparnasse, dragging your luggage all the way out to CDG is a rookie move. Orly is closer, and Vueling’s prices are often half of what the flag carriers charge.
The CDG vs. Orly Dilemma
Most people default to CDG. It’s the big one. But CDG is a maze. If your flight leaves from Terminal 2G, you need to budget an extra 20 minutes just for the shuttle bus. I’m not kidding.
- Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Best for those staying in the north or east of Paris. It’s where most BA and Air France flights live.
- Orly (ORY): The "secret" choice for Heathrow flights. Vueling runs a solid service here. It’s generally faster to get through security, though the shopping isn't as shiny.
Why Heathrow and Not Gatwick or City?
I get asked this constantly. "Why shouldn't I just fly into Gatwick?"
Look, if you’re heading to South London or Brighton, Gatwick is fine. But if you have a connection to the US, Asia, or basically anywhere else in the world, Heathrow is non-negotiable. Heathrow is a city unto itself. It has five terminals (well, four active ones—don't get me started on Terminal 1's ghost status).
If you land at LHR, you have the Elizabeth Line. This changed everything. You can get from the airport to central London in about 35 minutes for roughly £13. The Heathrow Express is faster (15 minutes to Paddington), but it’ll cost you £25 unless you book weeks in advance. If you fly into Gatwick or Luton, you’re looking at much longer, more expensive train rides into the city.
The Cost Reality: What You’ll Actually Pay
Don't believe the $40 ads. By the time you add a suitcase and a seat selection, that "budget" flight is $150.
A standard economy ticket on British Airways or Air France typically hovers between $140 and $280 round trip. If you book less than two weeks out, expect that to double. Interestingly, business class on this route is often a weirdly good deal. Since the flight is only about 75 minutes, the "meal" is usually a cold snack, but the lounge access at CDG and the extra baggage allowance can actually make it cheaper than paying for a basic seat plus three heavy bags.
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Timing Your Trip: The 1-Hour Illusion
The "flight time" is usually listed as 1 hour and 15 minutes. This is a lie.
Not a malicious one, but a practical one. You spend more time taxiing at CDG and holding in a circle over London than you do actually moving toward your destination. Heathrow is notoriously congested. It’s common for the pilot to come over the intercom and say, "We're just waiting for a parking spot."
Basically, from the moment you leave your hotel in Paris to the moment you step onto the platform at Paddington Station, give yourself five hours. Two hours for the airport, one for the flight, and two for the "Heathrow Shuffle"—immigration, baggage claim, and the long walk to the trains.
Baggage and the "Small Plane" Problem
On this route, airlines love using the Airbus A319 or the A320. These are workhorses, but the overhead bins are tiny. If you’re one of the last people to board, your "carry-on" is going in the hold. No exceptions. If you have electronics or meds in there, keep them in a smaller bag under the seat.
Heathrow Terminals: Don't Get Stranded
This is where the real headaches happen.
- Air France usually lands at Terminal 4.
- British Airways is almost exclusively Terminal 5, though some flights creep into Terminal 3.
- Vueling often uses Terminal 4.
Why does this matter? If someone is picking you up, or if you’ve booked a bus, being at the wrong terminal can mean a 20-minute subterranean train ride to get to the right one. Always check your arrival terminal on the app before you lose Wi-Fi over the Channel.
Is the Train Better?
Let’s be real. The Eurostar is the elephant in the room. It goes from Paris Gare du Nord to London St Pancras in 2 hours and 16 minutes.
If you are going from center to center, the train wins every single time. It’s more comfortable, you can bring wine (seriously, no liquid limits!), and there’s no "taxiing" on the tracks. However, if your final destination is actually near Heathrow, or if you are connecting to another flight, the train is a nightmare. You’d have to get off at St Pancras, take the Underground (Piccadilly Line) for an hour, or the Elizabeth Line for 45 minutes. If you’ve got three suitcases, that’s a special kind of hell.
Fly if you’re going to Heathrow. Train if you’re going to London.
Pro Tips for 2026 Travelers
- The Tuesday Trick: Data still shows that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are the cheapest times for this route. Avoid Monday morning (business travelers) and Friday evening (everyone else).
- Security at CDG: If you are flying out of CDG Terminal 2E, use the "Accès No. 1" lane if you have status or a premium ticket. The standard line can be a soul-crushing hour-long wait.
- London Immigration: If you have an e-passport from the US, EU, Canada, or Australia, use the e-gates. But stay alert—if the gates are down, the queue at Heathrow can easily hit 90 minutes.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to book, your first move should be checking which Paris airport is actually closer to your bed. Don't just look at the price. Map the Uber cost to CDG versus Orly. Next, download the LHR24 or official Heathrow app; it gives you gate-specific walking times that are actually accurate. Finally, if you're flying BA, check the "Euro Traveller" versus "Club Europe" prices—sometimes the difference is less than the cost of an airport lunch and a checked bag.
Get your documents in order. The UK is no longer in the EU, so even though the flight is short, the border is real. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity, or you might find yourself stuck at a gate in Paris watching your plane leave without you.