Orly Airport Terminals
Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is one of the two main international gateways serving Paris, alongside Charles de Gaulle Airport. Located just 13 km south of the city centre, Orly is widely appreciated for its compact layout, efficient operations and quick access to central Paris.
Today, Orly is the second busiest airport in France and the main hub for domestic flights, as well as an important base for European and North African routes.
Tip: If you’re flying short-haul or within France, Orly is often faster and easier than CDG due to shorter walking distances and simpler layouts.
History & Development
Orly Airport has a long aviation history dating back to the early 20th century, originally serving as a military airfield. It became Paris’ main commercial airport after World War II and quickly grew into one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs.
Until the opening of Charles de Gaulle Airport in 1974, Orly handled the majority of international traffic. Following this shift, Orly repositioned itself as a key airport for domestic, European and leisure routes.
In recent years, the airport has undergone a major modernization program, merging its former terminals (Orly West and Orly South) into a single, unified structure known as Orly 1-2-3-4.
Tip: The terminal redesign significantly reduced connection times—today you can walk between all terminals without leaving the building.
Terminal Overview
Terminal 1
Formerly part of Orly West, Terminal 1 handles boarding gates A, B and C. It mainly serves short-haul and low-cost flights.
- Levels: Departures (upper), Arrivals (ground)
- Facilities: Shops, cafés, lounges
- Passenger profile: Domestic & European travellers
Terminal 2
Connected directly to Terminal 1, Terminal 2 shares infrastructure and boarding areas. It operates as a seamless extension of Terminal 1.
- Zones: Shared check-in and security
- Airlines: Mainly low-cost and regional carriers
Terminal 3 (Central Hub)
Terminal 3 is the heart of Orly Airport, acting as a central connector between all terminals. It hosts gates D and the main commercial area.
- Main feature: Largest shopping & dining zone
- Passenger flow: High traffic, central distribution
Tip: If you have time before your flight, head to Terminal 3—it has the best food and shopping options in the airport.
Terminal 4
Previously known as Orly South, Terminal 4 handles gates E and F and is used for both European and long-haul flights.
- Levels: Check-in, departures, arrivals
- Facilities: Lounges, business centre, premium services
- Airlines: Includes Air France and international carriers
Inter-Terminal Transport
- Walking: All terminals connected internally
- Shuttle Bus: Free, runs 03:00–01:00
- Orlyval: Automated train (every 4–7 min)
Travel times: 1–8 minutes depending on route
Popular Routes from Orly
| Destination | Duration | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Nice | 1h 25m | Air France, Transavia |
| Barcelona | 1h 45m | Vueling, Transavia |
| Madrid | 2h | Iberia, Air Europa |
| Lisbon | 2h 30m | TAP Air Portugal |
| Rome | 2h 10m | ITA Airways, Vueling |
Facilities & Services
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the airport
- ATMs and currency exchange
- Luggage storage and lockers
- Charging stations
- Business areas and lounges
Services for Families & PRM
- Baby changing rooms in all terminals
- Children’s play areas
- PRM assistance (request 48h in advance)
- Priority boarding assistance
Security & Baggage Control
Security checkpoints are modern and efficient, with multiple lanes depending on passenger flow.
Tip: Morning peak hours (06:00–09:00) can be busy—arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
Check-in & Boarding
- Check-in desks open 2–3 hours before departure
- Online check-in widely available
- Boarding usually starts 30–45 minutes before departure
Lost & Found
Items lost in the airport can be reported at the dedicated office in Departures 1 (Arrivals level).
Estimated Processing Times
| Process | Average Time | Peak Time |
|---|---|---|
| Check-in | 5–15 min | 20–30 min |
| Security | 10–20 min | 30–40 min |
| Boarding | 20 min | 30 min |
Walking Distances
| Route | Time |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 → Terminal 3 | 5–7 min |
| Terminal 3 → Terminal 4 | 7–10 min |
| Security → Gates | 5–12 min |