Hi there, so I've only ever flown into CDG when traveling to Paris. I'm flying into Orly at the end of May, land at 8:40am, and wondering how much time I need to get to Gare de Lyon and catch a train. Trying to decide between at 11:30a and 12:30p train. Any insight on how long the customs process at Orly takes compared to CDG, how long it would take an Uber to get from Orly to Gare de Lyon, and how long it takes to find and board the train?
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I've only taken the Orlyval route into town, which is a dedicated airport light rail to the RER at Antony station, then RER into Paris. It doesn't get you straight to Gare de Lyon, so you have to transfer to a metro to get there (maybe from St. Michel/Notre Dame or Chatelet les Halles but there might be a better way?).
The airport itself is much smaller than CDG. Usually (without checked bags) it takes me right at an hour to get on an RER B into Paris from CDG. At Orly (without bag) you can be on the val much faster (maybe 20 minutes) and the ride into Paris is about half the time (roughly 30 vs. 55 minutes).
There are other options from Orly too, but I haven't used them. If you use the Orlyval, buy a ticket all the way to Gare de Lyon so that it covers transfer to the RER and metro. I think some have purchased a val ticket to Antony, then had to pay nearly as much again for an RER ticket to Paris (then a metro ticket). The combined ticket will be the best price.
I've used the app Next Stop Paris (RATF) for navigating Paris metro. It's good real time information, that shows trains, connections and walking maps but needs data. Assuming you won't have a working SIM yet, you can use it with WiFi at Orly but then you have to go with what it figured out there. It works but may not be the absolute best information without real time updates.
I think you can make it in before the 11:30 train but I'd probably prefer the 12:40 time. When you get to Gare de Lyon, you can find a little grocery store in the area and put together some picnic items for your train ride. There is value in not hurrying.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2541 posts
A taxi from ORY to Gare de Lyon costs 35€ (fixed fare) and will take far less time that the OrlyVAL/RER B/RER A.
I would book the 12h30 train but it just depends upon how lucky you feel.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5579 posts
I used ORLY a couple times and it seemed smaller and easier to navigate than CDG.
I could use help with trip planning in terms of the train piece as well. I never know how to plan for that first day when I'm not staying in Paris. For French train tickets it is a lot less expensive to purchase in advance. But, planes and luggage can be late, and we could get lost, etc., I am assuming that if you prepurchase train tickets and arrive late, the ticket is void? I am having the same issue planing for a fall trip we are taking to the southwest of France. I'd rather not pay same day prices or hang around Paris for an evening, but it seems risky to buy a ticket in advance.
Posted by
Green Bay
19963 posts
In that you are putting the cart before the horse. First you have to land on time before worrying how long immigration will take. Unless you are getting a real deal on a Prems ticket out of Gare de Lyon, you might just wait until you get to the station before you buy a ticket. Or, download the app and buy the ticket while riding in that uber or taxi to Gare de Lyon.
https://en.oui.sncf/en/mobile