Cheapest months to fly to Tours
Tours doesn't get the same flight traffic as Paris or Nice, which is actually great news for your wallet. With only five non-stop destinations feeding into Val De Loire airport, fares tend to follow a pretty predictable rhythm. Summer spikes hard — June through August, Loire Valley châteaux tourism pushes prices up across every route. I've watched Dublin-to-Tours fares double between April and July in a single season. Your sweet spot is shoulder season: March to mid-May, and again in September. French school holiday weeks in February and October cause mini-spikes worth avoiding if you're flexible.
Why visit Tours?
Tours sits at the heart of the Loire Valley, which means you're within cycling distance of more UNESCO-listed châteaux than most people visit in a lifetime — Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise. The food scene alone justifies the trip: rillettes, goat cheese from Sainte-Maure, and some of France's most underrated white wines from Vouvray and Chinon. Beyond the countryside, Tours itself has a genuinely good old town and a university population that keeps the restaurant and bar scene lively year-round. I've also seen business travelers use it as a quieter base for reaching central France without the chaos of Paris. If you're flying from Porto or Marrakech, the short hop makes a Loire side trip almost too easy to skip.
Popular non-stop routes into Tours
Routes with the most airline competition tend to have the best fare options:
- Dublin (DUB) → TUF — 1 airline
- London (STN) → TUF — 1 airline
- Marrakech (RAK) → TUF — 1 airline
- Marseille (MRS) → TUF — 1 airline
- Porto (OPO) → TUF — 1 airline
Tips for getting a cheap fare to Tours
Book Dublin to Tours in March and you'll often find fares well under €60 one-way on Ryanair, which operates out of London Stansted too if you're positioning from the UK. Set fare alerts at least eight weeks out — TUF routes move fast when seats are limited. If prices look rough, check Nantes or Poitiers airports nearby, then factor in a cheap train or rental car. Euro is the currency, no visa needed for EU, US, or UK citizens. Mid-September hits that rare combination of good weather and post-summer price drops. Book it.
Frequently asked questions about cheap flights to Tours
What's the cheapest month to fly to Tours, France?
November and February typically offer the lowest fares to Tours, as these are shoulder seasons with fewer tourists. Avoid July and August when prices peak due to summer vacation demand.
How far in advance should I book flights to Tours for the best price?
Booking 6-8 weeks in advance generally yields the cheapest fares to Tours. However, monitoring prices 2-3 months ahead and setting up price alerts can help you catch early deals.
Are there cheaper nearby airports to fly into instead of Tours?
Paris airports (CDG and Orly) are 230km away and often have cheaper flights, though you'll need to arrange ground transportation to Tours. Nantes airport (130km away) may also offer competitive fares with shorter travel times.
What's the typical fare range for cheap flights to Tours?
Budget flights to Tours typically range from €40-€100 for European routes during off-peak seasons, while transatlantic flights from the US average €400-€700 roundtrip when booked in advance. Prices can double during peak summer months.
Do US and UK visitors need a visa to visit France?
US citizens can stay in France visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period under the Schengen agreement. UK visitors also enjoy visa-free entry for tourism for up to 90 days post-Brexit, though a valid passport is required.