Traveling from Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) to Paris: what you need to know
Paris is two hours ahead of Praia, where Nelson Mandela International Airport is located. Paris runs on the UTC+1 timezone.
Give yourself enough time to get on your RAI to Paris flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Traveling during a peak time like public or school holidays? Expect longer lines at security and check-in. To be on the safe side, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from traveling and maybe even explore another city. When browsing for plane tickets from RAI to Paris, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Mohamed V International Airport (CMN)
Joao Paulo II Airport (PDL)
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
To reach RAI from central Praia, it'll take about 5 minutes if you're going by car. It's roughly 2 miles from the airport to the city center.
Want a stress-free start to your journey? Stay near RAI. Whether you have an early flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are just the thing:
51.1% of flights leaving from Nelson Mandela International Airport arrive at their destination on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) to Paris
The best price we've seen for a one-way Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris flight is $94. The cheapest price for a return flight is $231. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from RAI to Paris, book in advance. Airlines generally offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets first go on sale.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your trip dates aren't set in stone.
Snapping up a cheap flight from RAI to Paris is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic notifications and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris.
Airports in Paris
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is around 17 miles from the center of Paris. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes about 45 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you have a late flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these hotels near CDG:
Explore without limits with a Charles de Gaulle Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Alamo, Keddy By Europcar or Europcar and venture far and wide through Paris and beyond.
Booking your ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from RAI to Paris can help you lock in the best possible rate.
You'll find CDG at 95711, Roissy Charles de Gaulle.
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
After your flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris has touched down, you can make your way to the city center in about 35 minutes by car. Central Paris is roughly 12 miles from Paris Orly Airport (ORY).
The journey will take roughly 55 minutes on public transport.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel close to ORY. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your RAI to Paris flight:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or slow-moving cab lines. Pick up a Paris Orly Airport rental car and take your journey in whatever direction you like. Check out the rates and availability from Alamo, Europcar and Keddy By Europcar.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Securing your ride from ORY one week ahead of time often means better prices and a wider range of vehicles.
Paris Orly Airport is located at 94396 Orly Aérogare.
Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA)
Hop off your flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris and go straight to your hotel or jump right into sightseeing. The center of Paris is around 55 miles from Beauvais-Tille Airport (BVA) and usually takes 1 hour 30 minutes to reach driving.
The journey takes about 2 hours 20 minutes when traveling by public transport.
If you don't want to make the journey to the center, find a hotel close to BVA. Settle in at one of these options after your RAI to Paris flight:
Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly compact for a solo adventure or a full-size SUV to transport your group, you'll find the ideal Beauvais-Tille Airport rental car for you. Browse the types of wheels available from companies such as Loca Malin, Budget and Europcar.
If you're looking for a vehicle with specific features, lock in your ride from BVA around three weeks before your flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris. This gives you a better shot at getting the car you prefer, as well as a better price.
Beauvais-Tille Airport's street address is Tille 60000, Beauvais.
Best time to go to Paris
Visit Paris in high season if you prefer a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices may be higher. Alternatively, book flights from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Book a Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris plane ticket with a departure in August if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures to range from 55ºF to 84ºF.
January sees average temperatures of between 28ºF and 48ºF. Look for a cheap ticket from RAI to Paris around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Paris
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Paris right here. Check out these hotels after you've booked your flight from Nelson Mandela International Airport to Paris:
Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower are just two of the top attractions to add to your Paris to-do list. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.
Explore more of France
Paris has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of France you should also see. Around 240 miles south-east of Paris, a visit to Lyon will keep your itinerary busy. Start with popular sights like Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere, Musée des Confluences and Vieux Lyon - Saint-Jean - Saint-Georges.
If you're looking to explore another major stop in France, consider Nantes, about 210 miles south-west of Paris. Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne, Les Machines de L'ile and Jardin des Plantes are key reasons to visit.