Paris Orly Layover Guide
Paris Orly Airport (ORY)
Things to Do at Paris Orly During a Layover
Orly is Paris’s second airport, handling domestic and European routes. It is well equipped airside with good dining and Air France lounges. Paris city centre is reachable in around 35 minutes via the Orlyval shuttle and RER B.
2
Terminal halls
35 min
To central Paris
3
Airside lounges
Orlyval
Rail link to RER B
Terminal overview
What is Orly like?
Orly has two terminal halls: Orly 1 (domestic and some European Air France routes) and Orly 2 (other carriers and international). Each hall has its own airside area, lounges and food offering. The halls are connected by a free shuttle but are separate check-in and security points.
Two separate halls
Orly 1 and Orly 2 each have their own security, airside area and lounges. Confirm your hall before you clear security.
Good airside retail
Both halls have duty-free and a range of French and international brands airside. Orly 2 in particular has a strong food and retail offer.
Paris in 35 minutes
The Orlyval automated shuttle connects Orly to Antony station, where RER B takes you to central Paris. Total journey around 35 minutes.
Air France dominates
Air France operates the majority of flights and has dedicated lounges airside in both halls. Other airline lounges are limited.
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout both terminal halls. Registration required on first connection; no time cap thereafter.
Domestic hub
Orly is France’s main domestic airport. Many passengers connect here between domestic and international routes, making the airside offering well-developed for dwell time.
Time windows
What can I do with my layover?
Choose your layover length for a realistic plan.
Suggested plan
0:00
Clear security and reach your hall’s airside area
0:20
Coffee and something to eat from the airside cafes or brasseries
0:50
Duty free browse or find a seat near the gate area
1:20
Head to gate
Quick tips
Orly airside has proper sit-down brasseries as well as grab-and-go. The French airport food quality is generally higher than at comparable UK airports.
Security at busy domestic periods can take 25 to 30 minutes. Allow enough buffer.
Do not attempt to leave the terminal on a layover under two hours.
Suggested plan
0:00
Clear security and head airside
0:20
Air France Salon or priority lounge if you have access; otherwise take an airside brasserie table
1:00
Proper lunch or dinner at one of the sit-down airside restaurants
2:00
Duty free and retail browse
2:45
Head to gate
What works well
Orly 2’s airside has a notably good food selection including a proper brasserie with a set menu and wine service.
The Air France Salon is one of the better mid-tier airline lounges in Europe, with a good spread of food and a calmer atmosphere.
Free Wi-Fi throughout means staying productive is easy for the full wait.
Solo The Air France Salon is the best use of a two-hour window if you have status or a day pass. Good food and a quiet corner for working.
Couple A proper French brasserie meal airside is a genuinely good experience at Orly. Worth sitting down for a full lunch.
Family The airside food court in Orly 2 has enough variety for all ages. Keep it close to the gate area once the children are restless.
Option A: Stay in the terminal
0:00
Air France Salon or Priority Pass lounge
1:30
Duty free and retail at a relaxed pace
2:30
Sit-down meal at the airside brasserie
3:30
Gate
Option B: Day trip into Paris
0:00
Orlyval shuttle to Antony station (8 min), then RER B to Saint-Michel / Luxembourg (20 min)
0:45
Latin Quarter or Luxembourg Gardens: a walk through one of Paris’s most beautiful areas
2:00
Coffee or a light lunch in the Quarter
2:45
Return by RER B and Orlyval. Allow 75 minutes before flight for transit and security.
Solo The Latin Quarter and Jardin du Luxembourg are some of the most rewarding 90 minutes you can have near an airport. Orly is genuinely close.
Couple A walk through Luxembourg Gardens followed by coffee on the Boulevard Saint-Michel is a classic Paris afternoon. Very achievable on a four-plus hour layover.
Family Luxembourg Gardens has playgrounds and open space that young children enjoy. Factor travel time carefully and build in buffer before the return journey.
Lounges
Airport lounges at Orly
Both terminal halls have dedicated lounges. Orly 1 is predominantly served by Air France; Orly 2 has both Air France and a Priority Pass lounge.
AIR FRANCE
Air France Salon (Orly 1)
Orly 1, Airside
A well-appointed Air France lounge in the domestic and European terminal hall. Comfortable seating, hot and cold food, a bar and a business area. Access for Air France elite status holders, La Premiere and Business class passengers, and day pass purchase.
AIR FRANCE
Air France Salon (Orly 2)
Orly 2, Airside
The main Air France lounge in Orly 2 serving international departures. Larger than the Orly 1 equivalent with a fuller food and drink offering. Used by connecting passengers on Air France’s international network.
PRIORITY PASS
Salon Paris Orly
Orly 2, Airside
An independent lounge in Orly 2 accepting Priority Pass, Lounge Key and walk-up payment. Food, drinks and comfortable seating in a quieter environment than the main concourse. A good alternative when Air France lounges are restricted to status holders.
NOTE
Terminal note
Both halls
Lounge access requires clearing security in the correct terminal hall first. The halls are separate airside and there is no airside connection between them. Confirm your departure hall before clearing security.
Getting to the city
Transport into Paris
Orly is well connected to central Paris. The Orlyval is the quickest option; coaches are slower but cheaper.
| Route | Method | Journey time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Michel / Notre-Dame | Orlyval to Antony + RER B | 35 min total | Every 4-8 min (Orlyval) |
| Paris Gare du Nord | Orlyval + RER B north | 45-50 min total | Every 4-8 min (Orlyval) |
| Paris Denfert-Rochereau | Bus 183 / direct RER from Pont de Rungis | 25-35 min | Frequent |
| Paris city-wide | Le Bus Direct coach (route 1) | 50-75 min depending on traffic | Every 20-30 min |
Paris on a layover from Orly
Orly is the best-placed of Paris’s two airports for reaching the city quickly. The Orlyval connects to the RER B in about eight minutes, and from Antony you can reach Saint-Michel in under 25 minutes more. With four or more hours, the Latin Quarter, Luxembourg Gardens and the nearby Pantheon are all within a tight walking circuit that leaves time for a coffee and a return journey. Allow 75 minutes before your flight for the full return trip and security.
Airport hotels at Paris Orly
Seven hotels serve Paris Orly. The Hilton Paris Orly Airport is the closest at 0.3km with a shuttle. ibis Paris Orly Aeroport is the budget option at 0.5km. For Park and Fly, Mercure Paris Orly Tech Airport and Novotel Paris Orly Rungis are the best picks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get to Paris on a layover at Orly?
Yes. The Orlyval shuttle connects to the RER B at Antony station. From there, central Paris (Saint-Michel, Luxembourg, Denfert-Rochereau) is 20 to 25 minutes by train. Total transit time is around 35 minutes each way. With four or more hours, a trip to the Latin Quarter or Luxembourg Gardens is very achievable. Allow 75 minutes before your flight for the return journey plus security.
What is the difference between Orly 1 and Orly 2?
Orly 1 (formerly Orly West) is Air France’s domestic and short-haul European hall. Orly 2 (formerly Orly South) handles international and other carrier routes. The two halls are separate landside and airside. There is no airside connection between them; if you need to transfer between halls you must exit security and re-enter the other hall, which takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Which lounge can I use at Orly without Air France status?
The Salon Paris Orly in Orly 2 accepts Priority Pass, Lounge Key and a walk-up fee. It is the main non-airline lounge option at Orly. The Air France Salons are available to non-status holders for a day pass fee but this must be arranged through Air France directly and availability is not guaranteed.
How long does security take at Orly?
Security at Orly is generally quicker than at CDG, but peak domestic slots particularly on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings can see 20 to 30 minute queues. Allow at least 90 minutes before your departure to clear security comfortably and reach your gate.
Is Orly better than CDG for a Paris layover?
For reaching central Paris, Orly has the edge. The Orlyval is faster and more direct than the RER B from CDG. Orly is also closer to the city geographically. CDG is a larger airport with more lounge and dining options, but for a simple layover with a Paris visit, Orly is the more convenient base.