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One day in Paris - transit from/to ORLY & CDG

Posted by (Buffalo, NY) on

SHORT VERSION: Cheapest + fastest way into central Paris on a Monday morning (9:20am) from ORLY with minimalist carryon baggage?

FULL VERSION: My husband and I are ending our honeymoon with one long layover day in Paris. Landing at ORLY 9:20am local time on a MONDAY, departing CDG 7:45pm the same day. I simply want my husband to see a glimpse of the city, eat a pain au chocolat, maybe wander into a historic library (the Opera Garnier is closed that Monday, sadly) or cultural center, then grab a bus or train out to CDG. I know we'll be fighting against rush hour traffic, so I suspect trains are the better choice so we don't waste our time hung up in traffic, right? I am 6 months pregnant but used to being active and plan to walk a bit on this day. However, if a Lyft or Uber is competitive on price, I would be open to the possibility (but again, traffic seems to be the main issue). Merci beaucoup!

Posted by
58 posts

I don't know about the train. We took a cab and traffic was pretty bad. We just got back and there was a lot of road construction making traffic really bad and that was around 10 AM which is not rush hour. A train would probably be better since a bus has the same problem but I don't know for sure. The only method of transportation that seemed to move regardless of the traffic were the motor bikes but I don't it's an option especially if you are 6 months pregnant. Congratulations!

Posted by
2707 posts

A taxi from ORY to the Left Bank is only 30€ and probably about the fastest way into the city, approximately 20 minutes depending upon where it is you go. The fastest way to reach CDG at rush hour will be by RER B and take about 30 minutes once you are onboard northbound (be careful boarding the northbound RER B as there are trains, departing the same platforms, which go to Mitry Clay and not the airport). You´ll probably want to be on the RER B by 17h00 or 5pm (I am assuming your flight is not transatlantic).

What you do in between is up to you but I would suggest your taking a river cruise. Vedettes du Pont Neuf depart from Ile de la Cité and you can prepurchase tickets for only 12€ from their website. I might purchase a zone 1-5 day pass which will take you anywhere you might like to go, such as CDG, and include the RER, métro, bus, tramway, or funicular. Cost is 17.80€ and the Mobilis will now take you to CDG.

Posted by
11882 posts

I suspect where OP says it is a layover at the end of their trip the flight out of CDG IS an international flight, in which case best wisdom is to BE there at least 3 hours prior to departure.

Follow Tocard's advice, but adjust the timing to be to CDG by 430ish

Posted by
5697 posts

If you can't find the time in Paris for pain au chocolat, there are coffee shops at CDG (on airside, after security) which can accommodate you as you bid au revoir to France.

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