Focus keyword: `cdg vs orly paris`
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CDG vs Orly Paris Airport: Which Is Easier for a First Trip?
Most visitors to Paris don’t choose which airport they fly into — the airline and route determine it. But when you do have a choice, or when you’re weighing a cheaper Orly flight against a more convenient CDG option, knowing the real difference in transfer logistics changes the calculation.
By Mara Vale for Eurly
Last updated: 2026-04-25
The short answer
CDG is easier if your hotel is on the Right Bank (north Paris: Le Marais, Opera, République, Bastille) — the RER B is direct, fast, and reliable.
Orly is sometimes better if your hotel is on the Left Bank (south Paris: Saint-Germain, Luxembourg, Montparnasse) — the Orly Val + RER C connection avoids going to Gare du Nord and back south.
Neither is dramatically harder than the other. Both airports have multiple public transport options into central Paris. CDG gets more traffic and has more services; Orly is smaller and often faster to navigate.
CDG (Charles de Gaulle)
Charles de Gaulle is the main international airport for Paris. It handles the majority of transatlantic and long-haul flights to Paris, plus extensive European connections.
Getting to central Paris from CDG:
RER B (best option for most visitors): runs directly from CDG Terminal 2 to central Paris. Stops: Gare du Nord (35 min), Châtelet-Les Halles (40 min), Saint-Michel Notre-Dame (43 min), Luxembourg (50 min). Cost: €11.80 single. Trains run every 10–15 minutes, 5am–midnight. Board at the RER B station directly under CDG Terminal 2.
Taxi: fixed fare €56 to the Right Bank (north of the Seine), €65 to the Left Bank. Takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Pays off for 3–4 people with luggage, or late-night arrivals. Only use official Paris taxis (white illuminated roof sign) from the official taxi rank — not drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall.
RoissyBus: CDG to Opéra Garnier (Paris 9th). Journey: 60–75 minutes. Cost: €16.60. Better than RER B only if Opéra is your destination.
What to watch for at CDG: CDG has three terminals spread across a large site. Terminal 2 is where the RER B station is. Terminals 1 and 3 require a free CDGVAL shuttle train to reach the RER. Factor in 10–15 minutes extra if arriving at Terminal 1.
Orly (Paris-Orly)
Orly is the second Paris airport, to the south. It handles mainly European and domestic French flights plus some charter traffic.
Getting to central Paris from Orly:
Orlyval + RER B (most efficient public transport): Orlyval is an automatic shuttle connecting Orly to Antony station on the RER B. Orly → Antony: 8 minutes. Then RER B to central Paris: 25–35 minutes to Châtelet. Total cost (Orlyval + RER B): €13.60. Runs 6am–11pm.
OrlyBus: Orly to Denfert-Rochereau (Paris 14th). Journey: 30–45 minutes. Cost: €9.60. Better than Orlyval if you want to end up south of the river without the Antony connection.
Tram T7 + metro: Orly to Villejuif-Louis Aragon metro station (Line 7). Cheaper but slower (50+ minutes to central Paris). Not recommended for first visits.
Taxi: approximately €32–36 to the Left Bank (south of Seine), €37–45 to the Right Bank. Shorter journey than from CDG.
Side-by-side comparison
| CDG | Orly | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from central Paris | 25km north | 14km south |
| Best public transport option | RER B | Orlyval + RER B |
| Journey time to centre | 35–50 min | 40–50 min |
| Public transport cost | €11.80 (RER B) | €13.60 (Orlyval + RER B) |
| Taxi to Right Bank | €56 fixed | €37–45 |
| Taxi to Left Bank | €65 fixed | €32–36 |
| Ease of navigation | More complex (multiple terminals) | Simpler (smaller airport) |
| International flights | Extensive | Mainly European |
Which is better for a first visit?
Hotel on the Right Bank (Marais, Opera, Bastille, République): CDG is better. The RER B is direct to Gare du Nord and Châtelet, putting you immediately at the heart of Paris’s metro network. The transfer is straightforward and well-signposted.
Hotel on the Left Bank (Saint-Germain, Luxembourg, Montparnasse): Orly is comparable or slightly better. The OrlyBus to Denfert-Rochereau drops you in the 14th arrondissement, close to central Left Bank destinations. Orly taxi to Saint-Germain also costs €32–36 vs CDG’s €65.
Only in Europe for a short connection: Orly is often better for European charter and LCC flights and its small size makes it faster to clear.
The Paris airport to city guide has full detail on all options for both airports including night bus services and the specific metro lines from each arrival station.
Related guides
- Paris airport to city guide — full options for CDG and Orly
- Paris where to stay — hotel area guide (Right Bank vs Left Bank context)
- Paris budget guide — how airport transfer fits in overall trip cost
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