Getting from CDG and Orly to Paris: All Your Transfer Options

TLDR

From CDG, take the RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles and transfer to the RER A. You’ll reach Gare de Lyon in about 55 minutes for around 13 euros. From Orly, Metro Line 14 runs direct to Gare de Lyon in roughly 22 minutes for about 3 euros. Both airports also have bus and taxi options at different price points.

Landing at a Paris airport for the first time can feel overwhelming. Signs in French, multiple transit options, and no clear sense of which one actually gets you where you need to go. This guide breaks down every practical way to get from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly airports to central Paris, with a focus on reaching Gare de Lyon and the 12th arrondissement. No fluff, just what works.

Getting from CDG Airport to Paris

Charles de Gaulle is 25 kilometers northeast of central Paris. It’s the larger of the two main airports and handles the majority of long-haul international flights. The good news is that it has solid rail and bus connections into the city. The less good news is that the airport itself is enormous, and finding the right platform can take 15 minutes of walking.

RER B + RER A (Recommended)

This is the fastest and most reliable way to get from CDG to Gare de Lyon by public transit. Take the RER B train from CDG Terminal 2 or Terminal 3 station toward Paris. Ride it to Chatelet-Les Halles, which is the main interchange hub in central Paris. From there, transfer to the RER A heading east (direction Boissy-Saint-Leger or Marne-la-Vallee). Gare de Lyon is the next stop.

The total journey takes about 55 minutes and costs around 13 euros. Trains run roughly every 10 to 15 minutes from early morning until late evening. Buy your ticket at the machines in the airport station. A single ticket covers both the RER B and the RER A transfer. Keep your ticket until you exit at Gare de Lyon because you’ll need it to get through the gates.

One thing to watch: the RER B has two branches north of Gare du Nord. Make sure you’re on a train that actually stops at the CDG terminals, not one that splits off to Mitry-Claye. The platform signs and the front of the train will show the destination. If it says “Aeroport Charles de Gaulle,” you’re on the right one.

Roissybus + Metro

The Roissybus runs between CDG and Opera Garnier in central Paris. It’s a direct bus with no intermediate stops, and the ride takes roughly 60 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. From Opera, you can pick up Metro Line 8 (direction Creteil) or Line 14 (direction Olympiades) to reach Gare de Lyon.

This option works well if you want to avoid navigating underground transfers at Chatelet-Les Halles, which can be confusing the first time. The Roissybus drops you above ground near the Opera house, and from there the metro ride to Gare de Lyon is straightforward. Total cost is similar to the RER option, and the total time is a bit longer because of the metro connection.

Budget Bus Options

If you’re watching every euro, RATP runs Bus 350 and Bus 351 from CDG to Paris. Bus 350 goes to Gare de l’Est, and Bus 351 goes to Place de la Nation. Both cost about 6 euros and accept regular transit tickets. The trade-off is time: expect 90 minutes or more, depending on traffic and the number of stops.

From Place de la Nation (Bus 351), Gare de Lyon is just two stops on Metro Line 1. From Gare de l’Est (Bus 350), take Metro Line 5 to Bastille, then Line 1 one stop to Gare de Lyon. Not the fastest route, but it’s the cheapest way to get into the city by public transport.

Taxi from CDG

Official taxis operate from designated ranks outside each terminal. The ride to central Paris takes 40 to 60 minutes, though during rush hour it can be longer. Pricing varies, and the fare to the Right Bank (which includes Gare de Lyon and the 12th arrondissement) is regulated. Follow the signs to the official taxi stand and avoid anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride.

Taxis make sense if you’re arriving very early or very late when train services are reduced, if you have heavy luggage, or if you’re traveling with a group and can split the fare. For solo travelers on a normal schedule, the RER is faster and cheaper.

Getting from Orly Airport to Paris

Orly is 14 kilometers south of Paris. It handles domestic flights, European short-haul routes, and some international connections. It’s smaller and closer to the city than CDG, and the transfer into central Paris is notably quicker.

Metro Line 14 (Recommended, Direct)

This is the standout option. Metro Line 14 was extended to Orly Airport, and it runs direct to Gare de Lyon with no transfer needed. The ride takes about 22 minutes and costs around 3 euros. That’s not a typo. Three euros, door to platform, on a modern, automated metro line.

The trains run frequently throughout the day. Follow the metro signs inside Orly to the Line 14 platform. Board a train heading toward Saint-Denis Pleyel, and Gare de Lyon is a direct stop on the route. You’ll arrive underground at the Gare de Lyon metro station, from which it’s a short walk up to street level and onward to your hotel.

If you’re staying near Gare de Lyon, this is the simplest airport-to-hotel connection in all of Paris. No transfers, no buses, no traffic. Just a clean metro ride.

Direct Bus to Gare de Lyon-Diderot

There’s a direct bus route from Orly to the Gare de Lyon-Diderot area. The ride takes about 26 minutes without heavy traffic. This can be a good option if you prefer traveling above ground and want to see the city as you approach. Check the schedule at the bus stops outside the Orly terminals, as frequency can vary by time of day.

Note that the Orlybus, which used to run between Orly and Denfert-Rochereau, has been out of service since March 2025. You may still see it mentioned in older guidebooks and travel forums, but it is no longer operating.

Taxi from Orly

A taxi from Orly to Gare de Lyon takes roughly 18 minutes in normal traffic and costs between 27 and 32 euros. Given how close Orly is to central Paris, a taxi here is much more reasonable than one from CDG. If you’re arriving late at night or have bulky luggage, it’s a solid choice. Use the official taxi stand outside the terminal.

Tips That Apply to Both Airports

Buy tickets before you board. Both the RER and metro require a valid ticket to enter and exit through the turnstiles. You can buy tickets at machines in the airport stations. The machines accept credit cards and coins. Some also accept contactless payment. If you have a Navigo Easy card from a previous trip, you can reload it at any machine.

Keep your ticket until you’re out of the station. Paris transit gates require a ticket to exit as well as enter. If you lose your ticket mid-journey, you’ll need to find a station agent, which can mean a frustrating delay at the end of a long flight.

Avoid rush hour if you can. Paris commuter trains are packed between 7:30 and 9:30 in the morning and 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening. If your flight lands during those windows, factor in extra standing room and slower platform transfers. The RER B in particular gets very full between Gare du Nord and Chatelet-Les Halles.

Watch your belongings. Airport train routes are known for pickpockets who target tired travelers with luggage. Keep bags in front of you, zip everything closed, and stay alert, especially on the RER B. It’s not dangerous, but it does attract opportunistic theft. For more on staying safe, read our practical safety guide for Paris.

Check for strikes. French transit workers strike periodically, and it can affect RER and metro services. Before your trip, check the RATP website or the Paris Aeroport website for service alerts. Most strikes are announced in advance, and alternative services usually still run on a reduced schedule.

Late-night arrivals. If you land after midnight, train and metro services will be finished for the night. Your options are the Noctilien night bus network (limited routes, slow) or a taxi. If you know you’ll arrive late, book a taxi or private transfer in advance so you’re not waiting in a long queue.

Getting to Your Hotel from Gare de Lyon

Once you arrive at Gare de Lyon, you’re already in the 12th arrondissement. The station sits at the intersection of multiple metro lines (1, 14) and RER lines (A, D), making it one of the best-connected hubs in the city. The neighborhood around it is residential, walkable, and full of restaurants that serve locals rather than tourists.

SOC ADRIATIC HOTEL TOURISME is located at 6 bis rue de Lyon, Paris 75012. That’s a short walk from Gare de Lyon station. When you exit the station, rue de Lyon runs north toward Place de la Bastille. The hotel is on this street, so you won’t need the metro or a taxi to reach it from the station. Just follow the signs to the main exit, step onto rue de Lyon, and you’re practically there.

From the hotel, you’re well positioned to reach every major attraction in Paris. The Louvre is about 15 minutes on Metro Line 1. The Marais is two stops away. The Eiffel Tower is a 20-minute ride on RER C. And when it’s time to head back to the airport, you already know the route. For a full breakdown of what’s around the area, see our Gare de Lyon neighborhood guide.

If you’re visiting Paris for the first time, having a base near a major transit hub removes a lot of the stress. You don’t have to figure out complicated connections after a long flight. You step off the train, walk to your hotel, drop your bags, and you’re ready to start exploring. For ideas on what to see first, check our guide to the top attractions in Paris.

The official Paris tourism board at parisjetaime.com has up-to-date event listings, seasonal guides, and transport information.

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