Paris Orly Airport (ORY)

Flying from/to Paris Orly Airport

Find out the best way to get from Paris Orly Airport to the city centre by doing some research in advance. Should you take a train, coach or a tram from the airport to and from the city centre? Our guide to Paris Orly Airport and the facilities mean you can find your way around the terminal upon arriving and plan the rest of your trip—whether its for a short weekend or a little longer.

Tracel from Paris to Paris Orly Airport

Paris Orly Airport is the second largest airport in the French capital. Handling 33 million passengers every year, Orly offers more domestic connections than any other French airport, and it is the major hub for airlines as diverse as Transavia France, Corsair International, and HOP! Paris itself is world famous for its architecture, food, cabarets, art galleries, and romantic atmosphere. It is known worldwide as the "City of Light" due to its pioneering role in gas-powered street lighting.

What's the best way to get to Paris Orly Airport from Paris city centre

Paris Orly Airport is 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of central Paris, which rules out walking and cycling to departures. It also means that travellers will need to pay close attention to schedules when choosing the best way to reach their flights. There are a few good options from central Paris. The best option is often to board the RER B rail connection at Chatelet-les-Halles, Gare du Nord or Denfert Rochereau, which runs to Antony station. From there, travellers must transfer to the Orlyval shuttle train, which takes 6 minutes to reach the terminals. Line 7 of the Paris Metro also runs to Villejuif-Louis Aragon, and the T7 tram runs from there to Orly.  However, coaches offer a convenient alternative, with direct services from Denfert-Rochereau, Porte de Choisy, Montparnasse, Disneyland Paris and Charles de Gaulle Airport.

How far is it from central Paris to Paris Orly Airport?

Orly is around 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of central Paris. RER B trains take 25-35 minutes to central stations like Chatelet-les-Halles, while subway and tram connections will take around 45 minutes in most cases. coaches run from various central stops, and durations will average 30-40 minutes. So the major transit methods have roughly similar durations. Additionally, trains and coaches from CDG will take up to 90 minutes, while coaches from Disneyland Paris to Orly Airport take 45 minutes.

What facilities are there at Paris Orly Airport?

Paris Orly is a modern, large international airport with everything travellers could need. Food and drink outlets include upscale brasseries (including a caviar house), boutique bakeries, and familiar fast food outlets such as McDonalds and Starbucks. Stores in the departure terminal include duty free vendors, designer apparel brands, newsstands, and places to buy essentials like sunglasses or ties. There are also specific facilities at the airport for disabled travellers. If staff are provided with 48 hours prior notice, personal assistance can be provided free of charge. The whole site is designed to avoid reliance on stairways, while it also features ATMs, payphones, and restrooms that are adapted for wheelchair users.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

When they travel to the airport from Paris city centre, travellers with limited mobility shouldn't encounter too many problems. Fifty stations in the Paris metro area have been adapted for wheelchair access, including major stops on the RER B line, such as Chatelet-les-Halles. However, this leaves a large number of stations without specific step-free access, so check before choosing a way to reach Orly. coaches are not necessarily wheelchair friendly (although RATP Orlycoach services will be) so again, it's important to check before purchasing transfer tickets. Taxis won't automatically cater for wheelchairs, but it's easy to arrange services with ramps and interiors designed to make life easier for mobility-impaired travellers.

Local tips: How to travel to Paris Orly Airport like a local

Most Parisian travellers with a flight to catch at Paris Orly will rely on the RER B to make their connection. The RER B links up with all of the major subway lines at a series of central stations, and also connects to overground rail services via Gare du Nord. It's a relatively quick and comfortable way to travel, and services leave every 5-10 minutes, making annoying disruptions unlikely. However, a wide range of coach links offer cheaper transfers that take about as long (and avoid the need for a shuttle train connection from Antony). They can be a handy option for those coming from Montparnasse, the Eiffel Tower, or Massy TGV station. Taxis aren't a common way to reach the airport, and journey times vary depending on traffic, so most locals stick to coaches and train transfers.