Travelvus
Airport Decision

CDG vs Orly: Which Paris Airport Is Actually Better?

Both are 13–25km from central Paris with rail connections. But the airline, your destination in Paris, and the type of flight change which one wins.

5 min read·Jul 2026·Verified
Best for internationalCDG
Best for domesticOrly
Fastest to centralTied ~35 min
Best for internationalCDG
Best for domesticOrly
Best for internationalCDG
CDG wins for international · Orly for domestic
Money savedFrom ~€11 RER B
Time saved~35 min RER to central
Best for: CDG: international, Air France. Orly: domestic, southern Paris.
Context dependentNo single winner — depends entirely on your situation.
What this is based on
✓ Verified public transport data✓ Published schedules and fares✓ Editorial analysis of typical scenarios✓ Independent methodology
What this recommendation is based on
Flight availabilityCDG and Orly serve different route and airline networks. Long-haul international flights require CDG; many domestic and medium-haul routes use Orly.
Decisive factor
Paris destinationThe final arrondissement or onward connection can change the best airport. Orly is closer to the Left Bank; CDG serves the Right Bank better.
Decisive factor
Public transport connectionBoth airports reach central Paris in ~35 minutes by rail, but the transfer experience differs — CDG has direct RER B; Orly requires the Orlyval transfer at Antony.
Strong influence
Total transfer costOrly taxis are cheaper (€35–40 vs €55–60) but CDG's RER B is slightly cheaper than Orlyval+RER for public transit.
Strong influence
Traveller profileInternational connections, families and short city trips have different priorities between the two airports.
Moderate influence
How we compared
Flight type→Paris destination→Transport options→Transfer cost and time→Recommendation
When this changesLong-haul or connecting flights may require CDG.Southern Paris destinations can favour Orly.Strike disruption or construction can change transfer performance.Flight schedule may outweigh airport convenience.
Recommendation strength:Conditional
Balanced choice
No universal winner — your flight type and Paris destination decideCDG and Orly both reach central Paris in ~35 minutes by rail. The choice depends on whether you are flying internationally or domestically, and which side of Paris you are heading to.
Advantages
+CDG: France's primary international hub with the widest route network
+Orly: Closer to central and southern Paris — cheaper taxis
+Both: Comparable rail transfer time to central Paris (~35 min)
Trade-offs
±CDG's direct RER B connection — Larger airport — longer walking distances between gates
±Orly's proximity to southern Paris — Orlyval light rail requires a transfer at Antony — not a direct train
±Orly's cheaper taxis (€35–40) — Fewer long-haul routes than CDG
When the recommendation changes
IFFlying internationally outside Europe→CDG becomes the practical choice — most long-haul routes only serve CDG
IFDestination is southern Paris or Left Bank→Orly becomes the stronger recommendation — closer and cheaper by taxi
IFDestination is northern Paris or direct RER B corridor→CDG becomes stronger — direct train without the Orlyval transfer
+ 1 more condition
IFFlying domestically within France→Orly often has more domestic options and better schedules
Known limitationsMajor transport disruption or strike — Normal transfer comparison no longer applies — both airports affectedConstruction at either airport — Transfer times may be longer than published estimates
Unknown — 4 things we don’t know
Whether you are flying long-haul, medium-haul or domesticYour exact arrondissement or final destination in ParisYour preferred airline — Air France operates from both airports on different routesYour arrival time — CDG has better night bus connections
Airport distance from Central ParisSchematic — not to scale
  • CDG (CDG): 25 km NE from Central Paris — recommended
  • Orly (ORY): 13 km S from Central Paris
The 30-second answerWhy distance does not decideTransfer comparisonBest by neighbourhoodWhen CDG winsWhen Orly winsThe verdictFAQ
Decision
Which Paris airport creates the better journey
Key takeaway
CDG for international and Air France. Orly for domestic, medium-haul, and southern Paris.

The 30-second answer

CDG wins for international flights and Air France connections. It is France's primary hub with the widest route choice. Orly wins for domestic French flights, medium-haul European routes, and southern Paris. Both airports have rail connections that reach central Paris in ~35 minutes. The airports are tied on transfer speed — your airline and destination in Paris should decide.

Why distance does not decide

Orly is 13km from central Paris — half the distance of CDG at 25km. But CDG's RER B train takes ~35 min to Châtelet–Les Halles. Orly requires the Orlyval light rail to Antony station, then a transfer to the RER B — also ~35 min total. Distance is misleading. Both airports reach central Paris in about the same time by rail. The quality of the transit link matters more than the mileage.

Transfer comparison: CDG vs Orly to central Paris

FactorCDGOrly
Distance25 km13 km
Fastest rail to central ParisRER B ~35 min, ~€11Orlyval + RER B ~35 min, ~€14
Cheapest transitRER B ~€11Tram T7 + Métro ~€4
Taxi to central€55–60 flat€35–40 flat
24-hour transitNoctilien night busesLimited night service

Best airport by Paris neighbourhood

NeighbourhoodBestWhy
Central Paris (Le Marais, Île de la Cité)OrlyCloser — taxi in 30–40 min. OrlyBus to Denfert-Rochereau.
Right Bank (Opéra, Champs-Élysées)CDGRER B to Châtelet. Roissybus direct to Opéra.
Left Bank (Saint-Germain, Montparnasse)OrlyOrly is on the south side. OrlyBus to Denfert in ~30 min.
La DéfenseCDGRER B to Châtelet, then RER A to La Défense.
Eastern Paris (Bastille, Nation)CDGRER B to Gare du Nord, then Métro 5.
VersaillesOrlyOrlyval + RER C direct to Versailles–Rive Gauche.

When CDG wins

  • You are flying internationally outside Europe. CDG is France's primary long-haul hub.
  • You fly Air France. CDG is Air France's main base — the best schedules and connections.
  • You are staying on the Right Bank or eastern Paris. RER B serves these areas directly.
  • You need 24-hour transit options. CDG has Noctilien night buses when the RER stops.

When Orly wins

  • You are flying domestically within France. Orly has extensive domestic and medium-haul routes.
  • You fly Transavia, easyJet, or Vueling. These budget/leisure airlines primarily use Orly.
  • You are staying on the Left Bank or southern Paris. Orly is on the south side — closer and cheaper by taxi.
  • You want the cheapest possible taxi. Orly's flat-rate taxis are €35–40 versus CDG's €55–60.
Travelvus concludes:
Travelvus verdict
CDG for international. Orly for domestic.
CDG RER to central
0 min
Orly transit to central
0 min
Orly taxi
0 €

FAQ

CDG wins for international flights and Air France connections. Orly wins for domestic French flights, medium-haul European routes, and southern Paris. Both reach central Paris in ~35 minutes by rail. The right choice depends on your airline and where in Paris you are staying.

Yes — Orly is 13km from central Paris versus CDG at 25km. However, the transit time to central Paris is nearly identical (~35 min) because CDG has a direct RER B connection while Orly requires the Orlyval light rail plus a transfer at Antony. Distance does not equal speed.

Official flat-rate taxis cost €55 to the Right Bank and €60 to the Left Bank. The journey takes 45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Rideshare services cost approximately €35–55.

Official flat-rate taxis cost €35 to the Right Bank and €40 to the Left Bank. The journey takes 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. Orly taxis are significantly cheaper than CDG taxis due to the shorter distance.

Only if you are on a very tight budget and value ticket price over time. Beauvais is 85km from Paris. The Ryanair shuttle bus takes 1h 15m and costs €17 each way. A €20 Ryanair ticket becomes €54 with the bus, and costs you 2h 30m in transfers. For most travellers, CDG or Orly are better choices.

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