When I first decided to travel to Rouen, the medieval jewel of Normandy, I wasn’t thinking about flight logistics. My mind was filled with images of half-timbered houses, the Gothic majesty of Rouen Cathedral, and the cobblestones of the old town where Joan of Arc once walked. But as the excitement of planning set in, I quickly realized that finding the right flight was not just a technical detail—it was the foundation for the whole journey.

I had been to Paris before, flying into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY), but Rouen doesn’t have a large international airport. That meant I had to be strategic: book a flight into Paris or another nearby hub, and then make my way to Rouen by train or car. The process became a journey of its own, filled with comparisons, platforms, and decisions that ultimately shaped how I experienced Normandy.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through my personal process of searching for flights, share three specific flight options that stood out to me, highlight platforms that made booking easier, and offer practical advice that only comes from the trial and error of planning such a trip.

The First Step: Understanding Where to Land

The first thing I had to accept: Rouen itself does not have a major international airport. It has a small regional airport—Rouen Vallée de Seine Airport (URO)—but it offers very limited service, mostly charter flights or seasonal routes. So the real choice was to fly into Paris and then connect.

Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is about 135 kilometers from Rouen, while Paris Orly (ORY) is slightly closer. Both airports are connected to Rouen by frequent trains that take around 1.5–2 hours. For me, this wasn’t a drawback at all. In fact, I started to see it as an advantage: Paris offers an enormous variety of flights, competitive fares, and the chance to combine a stopover in the capital before heading into Normandy.

Platforms That Helped Me Find the Right Flights

Booking flights today can feel overwhelming, with so many options and hidden fees. I narrowed down my search by focusing on reliable platforms:

• Skyscanner – My favorite tool for comparing multiple airlines and seeing which dates had the lowest fares. The flexible date search was invaluable.
• Google Flights – Perfect for tracking price trends and setting alerts. I loved seeing the calendar view with price fluctuations.
• Omio – While better known for trains and buses in Europe, Omio helped me plan the connection from Paris to Rouen after my flight.
• Expedia – A good all-in-one platform that sometimes offered discounts when booking both flights and hotels.
• Air France official website – Particularly useful when I wanted to check direct transatlantic routes to Paris and get clarity on baggage policies.

Each of these platforms gave me a different perspective. I often used Skyscanner to cast the widest net, Google Flights to fine-tune timing and prices, and then the airline’s own website for final booking to avoid middleman complications.

Flight Option 1: Air France Direct from New York (JFK → CDG)

The first option that caught my attention was an Air France direct flight from New York’s JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle. This flight has been a staple for decades, connecting the East Coast of the United States with France’s busiest airport.

Why it appealed to me:

• Direct, no layovers, saving time and stress.
• Air France is known for its French touch—complimentary wine, attentive service, and a menu that actually made me look forward to airplane food.
• CDG has seamless connections to Gare Saint-Lazare station in Paris, from where trains depart directly to Rouen.

Traveler experiences: I read dozens of reviews before booking. Many travelers praised the smooth check-in at JFK and the comfortable seating in economy compared to other carriers. Business class reviewers highlighted the lie-flat seats and the curated wine list that felt authentically French.

Cost: When I booked, economy roundtrip hovered around \$650–\$750, while business class easily jumped to \$2,500+.

Booking platform: I first discovered this fare through Google Flights, but ultimately booked directly on Air France’s website to secure free seat selection and easier customer support.

Special service highlight: Complimentary Champagne in economy. It might sound like a small touch, but sipping sparkling wine at 35,000 feet as I anticipated Rouen felt like the perfect start.

Flight Option 2: Delta Air Lines from Atlanta (ATL → CDG)

The second flight I considered was Delta’s Atlanta to Paris service. As a SkyTeam partner with Air France, this route offered many of the same conveniences, plus the comfort of Delta’s reputation for reliability.

Why it appealed to me:

• Atlanta is a major hub, so connections from across the U.S. were easy.
• Delta’s in-flight entertainment system is consistently ranked among the best, which mattered on a 9-hour flight.
• The partnership with Air France meant I could earn and redeem SkyMiles seamlessly.

Traveler experiences: Reviews consistently noted friendly flight attendants and punctual departures. Some travelers found the meals less refined than Air France, but still decent. Many appreciated the legroom in Comfort+ seating.

Cost: Roundtrip economy tickets ranged from \$580–\$700, which made it slightly cheaper than Air France on some dates. Premium economy was about \$1,200–\$1,400.

Booking platform: I found the deal on Skyscanner, tracked it for a week, then booked via Expedia because they offered a bundled discount with a Paris hotel.

Special service highlight: The Delta Studio entertainment system had over 1,000 hours of movies and shows, which made the long overnight flight pass quickly.

Flight Option 3: United Airlines from Newark (EWR → CDG)

The third flight I considered was United Airlines’ non-stop service from Newark to Paris. For travelers near the New York metro area, this flight was both convenient and competitively priced.

Why it appealed to me:

• Non-stop flight with frequent schedules, often two or three per day.
• United Polaris business class was consistently praised as one of the best transatlantic experiences, with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding and elevated dining.
• Newark airport is often easier to navigate than JFK.

Traveler experiences: Reviews were mixed but leaned positive. Many economy passengers said the flight was efficient, if basic, while Polaris passengers raved about the comfort and food. The lounge at Newark was also noted as a highlight for premium travelers.

Cost: Economy roundtrip prices averaged \$600–\$680, while Polaris business class started around \$2,800.

Booking platform: I found the flight on Google Flights, and then compared prices on United’s website. Direct booking offered me the chance to easily upgrade with miles, so I chose that route.

Special service highlight: Free messaging on WhatsApp and iMessage during the flight. Staying connected mid-Atlantic was a pleasant surprise.

My Booking Journey: How I Chose the Right Flight

When faced with these three options, I had to weigh more than just cost. I thought about my starting point, my flexibility, and how I wanted the journey to feel. I wasn’t just buying a seat; I was buying an experience that would set the tone for my trip to Rouen.

In the end, I chose Air France from JFK. The direct route, French service, and convenient connection to Rouen tipped the balance. I booked three months in advance on the Air France website, and I don’t regret it. The flight felt like a soft landing into French culture before I even touched the ground.

Booking Advice for Finding Flights to Rouen

Through this process, I learned several lessons worth sharing:

• Book early – Prices start rising sharply about 6–8 weeks before departure.
• Fly midweek – Tuesday and Wednesday departures were consistently cheaper than weekends.
• Consider nearby airports – While Paris CDG is the main hub, Orly sometimes had cheaper fares, especially with low-cost carriers like Transavia.
• Set alerts – Google Flights and Skyscanner both allowed me to track price drops, saving me nearly \$100 on my ticket.
• Check baggage policies – Some cheaper fares excluded checked bags, and paying at the airport could double the cost.
• Use European platforms – Once in France, I relied on Omio and Trainline to connect from Paris to Rouen affordably and without hassle.

Adding the Rouen Connection

After landing in Paris, the final step was reaching Rouen. From CDG, I took the RER B into Paris, then a quick metro transfer to Gare Saint-Lazare. From there, frequent trains whisked me to Rouen in under two hours. Tickets cost around €10–€25, and I booked them in advance on Omio to avoid last-minute stress.

✈️ Recommended Booking Platforms for Flights to Rouen (via Paris):

• Skyscanner – Best for flexible date searches
• Google Flights – Best for price tracking
• Air France official site – Best for direct booking and service clarity
• Expedia – Good for bundling flights and hotels
• Omio / Trainline – Essential for connecting Paris to Rouen by train

My Emotional Takeaway

Searching for flights to Rouen was more than a logistical exercise. It was part of the anticipation, the gradual unfolding of a journey into Normandy. Each platform I used, each airline I considered, and each review I read added to the story. By the time I boarded my flight, I already felt invested in the trip.

Rouen is a city of history, but getting there is a story in itself. The right flight doesn’t just carry you across the ocean—it sets the stage for the cobblestones, cathedrals, and flavors that await. For me, starting with Air France from JFK was the first chapter of my Normandy adventure, and every detail of that journey still lingers with me today.