London to Paris Orly airport

We travel light with carry-ons only and there are 5 of us so taxis are difficult.

As far as getting to Orly, we were just going to take the RER-B line to Antony and then take the Orlyval shuttle train directly to the terminal? Does this not seem right or is there another reason I would have to take a taxi?

If it were me, I would spend my last night in Paris prior to my departure flight out of Paris. You don't say in your profile where your home airport is, but if one considers you need to be at an airport 3 hours prior to an international flight, you need to be at Orly at 10:30 am. That's 9:30 am London time, and that hour's time difference is working against you. Not to mention the possibility of weather problems, staff strikes, or mechanical issues delaying your flight OR your train from London to Paris the morning of your departure flight.

I don't think there's even a Eurostar that would get you to Paris early enough to give you time to get to Orly in time to check in for your flight, so I think your only option is flying on a super-early flight out of London. (Checking the Eurostar, I see there's a 5:40 train out of London that is supposed to get you into Paris Gare du Nord at 9:17. That could work IF the service doesn't experience any delays. Also, remember you have to be CHECKED IN for your Eurostar 30 minutes prior to departure - that is, by 5:10 you would have to be through the turnstile.).

It basically depends how big your appetite for risk is. If the thought of having to buy five completely new Paris-North America (if that's where you're going) tickets on the day of your flight because you've missed it doesn't bother you, then go ahead and travel to Paris that morning. If that seems a little steep price to pay, I'd aim for getting there the day before departure.

My .02.

I think Kim just gave you the best answer you'll get. Very high risk to wake up in London and make an early afternoon flight from Paris' southern airport. I was going to recommend flying straight to Orly so you don't have to traverse Paris, but that would mean getting out to Heathrow or Gatwick early that morning with the same kind of uncertainties. And you lose an hour in the bargain.

Instead of a sixth night in London, take the Eurostar to Paris, stay somewhere on the left bank near the RER, enjoy your morning croissants, and whisk yourselves on to Orly with no stress. What's not to like?

Do you have to be at the airport 3 hours before international or 2 hours before? Our home airport is Raleigh/Durham, NC and we always have done 2 hours before and not had a problem. Of course comparing London or Paris to Raleigh is a different world!

Also for flights between London and Paris - I know that is international in that the UK and France are different countries but do those quicker Euro-flights need a 3-hour check-in too?

The flights I see that could work would be:
Luton-> Orly on Transavia from 8am->10:30am - $36
Heathrow -> Orly on British Airways from 7:05-> 9:30am - $66

The Eurostar would be 5:40am and arriving at Gare du Nord at 9:26am for $70 (our kids are a little cheaper).

I am leaning towards the train because we can get there from our flat in less than 15 minutes either walking or by Tube. I would guess that train schedules are more reliable than planes but I don't know?

We will have travel insurance in the event that it goes wrong!

You should go to Paris the night before and stay at a hotel on the RER B line. That would be near one of the following RER stations: Gare du Nord, Les Halles, St. Michel, Luxembourg, Port Royal, or Cité Universitaire. Enjoy the city, relax, and enjoy a leisure breakfast.

Catching a train or a flight the same day is too risky for a high-stakes flight. I'd never consider a plane the same day; a bit of early morning fog and you're in trouble. A train would make it unless it breaks down or there's a strike. My family would have rebelled. You must live with nice people with nerves of steel.

Orly has become a bit of a messy airport now, too, with all the self-check in for the luggage, lines here, there, everywhere. I just used it in October for a short Air France flight within France that didn't require border control, which you'll have to do. Three hours unless you are familiar with the airport, then 2.5.

Or, change your return flight to originate in London.

It is folly to do anything other than go to Paris the night before. Your situation is exacerbated by France being an hour ahead of the UK.

The recommendation these days is that you are at the Eurostar 45-60 minutes before departure. Luton Airport is 40 miles north of London. To get the 8 am flight means getting a train at c 04.30 and at a cost of £15.70 per person. Your insurance will not cover you if you are late getting to the airport if it is like any policy I have ever taken out.

Will it be possible to change your flight to London, not Paris? It could work out cheaper and would certainly be easier.