Raleigh to Paris Flights (RDU to CDG): Nonstop Guide

Yes, Raleigh-Durham has a nonstop to Paris. As of November 2026, Air France flies from Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) without a stop, and Delta sells seats on the same flight under its own flight number. The eastbound flight leaves RDU in the evening and lands in Paris the next morning after about 7 hours 45 minutes in the air; the flight home takes about 9 hours. The number of flights a week changes with the season, with daily service in parts of the year and fewer weekly flights at other times, so check the days on Air France's or Delta's site before you plan around a date.

Who flies Raleigh-Durham to Paris

Air France operates the RDU-CDG nonstop. Delta used to fly the route itself and now markets the Air France flight under their transatlantic joint venture, so you may see it on Delta's site with a Delta flight number. Either way, you fly on an Air France aircraft with Air France service, and your SkyMiles or Flying Blue account can usually earn on it. Paris is also a useful one-stop gateway to the rest of Europe, Africa and the Middle East on Air France connections.

If the nonstop does not run on your dates, the one-stop options are:

• Delta through Atlanta, New York JFK or Detroit, each with its own Paris flights.
• American through Charlotte, Philadelphia or New York JFK.
• United through Newark, Washington Dulles or Chicago O'Hare.

A connection usually adds three to five hours, so the nonstop is worth checking first even from Greensboro or Fayetteville.

Leaving from RDU

RDU sits between Raleigh and Durham, near Research Triangle Park, roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car from either downtown. It has two terminals, and international flights, including Air France, use Terminal 2. International arrivals also come through Terminal 2, where friends meet you near Bag Claim 1. Construction work at Terminal 2 can change walking routes, so follow the signs on the day. RDU recommends arriving three hours before an international flight; agents check your passport against the Schengen validity rules before issuing a boarding pass.

Arriving at Charles de Gaulle

Air France uses Terminal 2 at CDG, and most of its long-haul flights park at Terminal 2E. After passport control and baggage claim, the RER train station and taxi ranks are a short walk. If you are connecting to another Air France flight in Europe, follow the correspondence signs; moving between the Terminal 2 halls can mean a long walk, a shuttle or a second security check, so do not book a very tight onward connection on separate tickets.

CDG is about 25 kilometers northeast of central Paris. The main ways in:

• RER B train from the station inside Terminal 2 to Gare du Nord, Chatelet-Les Halles and the Left Bank, usually 35 to 50 minutes.
• Roissybus to Opera, useful for hotels in the 9th and 2nd arrondissements.
• Official taxis from the marked rank, which charge a set fare to the Right Bank or Left Bank. Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal.

Entry rules for US citizens

US citizens can visit France and the rest of the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the day you plan to leave the Schengen area and must have been issued within the last 10 years. Our Schengen 90/180 guide helps if you are combining Paris with other countries.

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is running at Schengen borders: on your first entry under EES, officers take your fingerprints and a face photo. ETIAS, the EU travel authorization, is not yet in operation, so do not pay any site claiming to sell one. See our EES and ETIAS guide.

Time difference and jet lag

Paris is 6 hours ahead of Raleigh for most of the year. For a few weeks in March and again from late October to early November, the US and Europe change clocks on different dates and the gap is 5 hours. The overnight flight is short for a transatlantic trip, so sleep early, stay up until a normal Paris bedtime on arrival day and get daylight in the morning.

Best months to fly

May, June, September and early October bring mild weather and long days without the biggest summer crowds. July and August are busy at the major sights, and some small Paris shops and restaurants close for part of August. November through March is the quietest period and often the least expensive to travel, with short days, rain and the Christmas markets in December. The fare grid on this page shows live prices so you can compare months.

Baggage and fare types

Air France economy fares on transatlantic routes come in several brands, and the lightest one may not include a checked bag. If you book through Delta, the fare rules shown at booking apply, so check the bag allowance before you pay, especially if your trip continues within Europe. Our explainers on Basic Economy and airline baggage rules cover the differences.

Flying home from Paris

The return leaves CDG Terminal 2 in the morning or early afternoon and reaches RDU the same afternoon. Allow three hours at CDG: Terminal 2E has its own security and passport exit checks, and EES records your departure. You clear US immigration and customs on arrival at RDU's Terminal 2, which is much smaller and usually quicker than the big coastal gateways. Global Entry members can use the Global Entry lane.

Tips for Triangle travellers

• With one nonstop a day at most, seats go quickly in summer; choose them when you book.
• Use Paris as a one-stop gateway: Air France connections from CDG reach most European cities, and our layover guide explains how long to allow.
• Consider flying into Paris and home from another city on an open-jaw ticket if you are seeing more of Europe.