Which airport is best for Central Paris?
Central Paris — Châtelet, the Louvre, Le Marais — is the heart of the city. Both CDG and Orly connect here, but the experience differs. CDG's direct RER B reaches Châtelet in 40 minutes. Orly requires the Orlyval shuttle plus RER B, taking 50 minutes and costing more. For most central Paris destinations, CDG is the better choice.
Which airport is best?
RER B direct to Châtelet–Les Halles in 40 minutes. No shuttle, no interchange. Step-free access at the station. Cheaper transfer (€12 vs €15). More airline choice.
RER B direct, €12, ~40 min, 0 interchanges
Orlyval shuttle to Antony, then RER B to Châtelet. The Orlyval premium (€9.30) pushes the transfer cost to €15. The interchange adds complexity. Only better if the airfare is significantly cheaper.
Orlyval → RER B, €15, ~50 min, 1 interchange
Transfer comparison
CDG is the better airport for central Paris. Direct RER B, cheaper transfer, faster journey. Orly only wins if the airfare difference is more than €15 — use the Decision Engine to check.
Compare CDG vs ORY for Central Paris → →How we determine this
This guide is generated from the Travelvus Decision Engine using verified airport datasets, destination transfer profiles, and door-to-door comparison methodology. Recommendations are data-driven — not editorial opinion. Transfer costs are illustrative EUR values. Airfares are illustrative planning estimates.
Last reviewed: July 2026