Cheap Flights to La Rochelle (BOD)

All the info on flights to La Rochelle

La Rochelle’s photogenic old harbour has guaranteed its place as one of the must-see highlights of France’s lovely Charente-Maritime region, while the neighbouring Île de Ré is a protected wildlife haven with its own fascinating history. Bursting with character, La Rochelle is an ideal spot for a short break or as a base for a more leisurely exploration of this unspoilt stretch of Atlantic coastline. Thanks to direct budget flights to La Rochelle from the UK, you can be landing at La Rochelle – Île de Ré Airport in around 90 minutes, ready for your adventure.

What’s the best time to book cheap flights to La Rochelle?

The Gulf Stream brings a touch of the Mediterranean to La Rochelle, with sunny, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Prices spike during the summer school holidays, when families head for the campsites and beaches of the Île de Ré, but on the whole it’s possible to find cheap tickets to La Rochelle at any time of year if you book well in advance. For last-minute bargains, go for mid-week travel or less popular flight times. The internationally acclaimed La Rochelle Marathon is one of the biggest events of its kind in France, bringing a huge demand for transport and accommodation, so unless that’s your reason for visiting it’s probably a good idea to steer clear of its date in November each year.

How do I get to La Rochelle?

Ryanair provides a year-round low-cost service on the route from London Stansted, with flight times averaging around 1 hour 35 minutes. easyJet has seasonal departures from London Gatwick and Bristol, while Flybe offers a choice of UK routes including Southampton, Birmingham and Manchester. If you’re finding it hard to source a direct flight to La Rochelle on the dates you desire, consider flying to Paris and taking the high-speed train from Montparnasse Station.

Getting from the airport to the city centre

On arrival at La Rochelle Airport, you’ll want to get going as soon as possible, so hop in a convenient taxi to cover the short 2.5-km distance into the city– at busy times you’re strongly advised to pre-book by using the contacts on the airport’s official website. A cheaper option is the bus – the journey to the central square of Place de Verdun or the railway station takes around 15 minutes in normal traffic. From here you can catch another bus to the Île de Ré, although in the high season buses run direct to the island from the airport.

Dive into La Rochelle’s maritime past

La Rochelle’s rich seafaring heritage surrounds you the minute you start to explore the winding alleyways of the old harbour. From its iconic lighthouses to its elegant marina, there’s no escaping the pull of the ocean. Discover its fascinating history at the Musée Maritime, pausing to admire the model and real-life ships, take a privileged peek at the world under the waves in the Aquarium, then head to a cosy seafood restaurant to sample the catch of the day.