How do you survive the summer of 2023 at Orly Airport near Paris?
You have surely seen in the press or heard from others about the difficult situation at our airport, Ben Gurion Airport. Unfortunately, the situation at airports around the world is similar, and even worse.
The reasons are mainly a shortage of workers after layoffs during the Corona period, and a heavy load of travelers who have waited two years to go on vacation. The result: a limited number of workers forced to shoulder the burden and very long lines at every station you pass in the field.
As a result, many strikes have begun at airports by workers in various positions, such as porters, ground attendants, security workers, cleaners, pilots, and even the control tower. Each of the professional groups that strike harms the ongoing and efficient management of the airport and often leads to flight cancellations.
Tips to help you get through the rush safely
- Suffering from medical problems? In Israel, present your disability card at the ticketing counter and ask the ground attendants to take care of you, both on the way and back. The disability card saves you the trouble of standing in line and walking long distances. An airline representative will accompany you in a wheelchair and will take care of getting you through all the lines until you leave the airport. If you are suffering from a temporary medical problem such as back surgery, back pain, recovery from crises, etc. – make sure to have a letter from your treating doctor stating that you cannot stand for a long time or walk long distances. Present the document to the ground attendants who will take care of you.
- Parents of special children – show your disability card to the employees at the front of the security check line, it is their job to make sure you skip the line. There is no need to show the card and ask the passengers in line. Unfortunately, the atmosphere in the long line can cause unpleasant reactions, so go straight to the people in charge.
- Strikes and more strikes – there is no way to know in advance about strikes at the airport itself, they can come as a surprise. If flights are canceled due to strikes, you will receive an email notification at least a day in advance with a new date. In my experience, there is no way to deal with this, except to curse in French under your breath, of course.
- If friends, relatives, or a shuttle service are waiting for you, inform them of the flight number and ask them to update themselves on planned strikes at the airport and estimate their waiting time.
A little advice from me, please: I understand the anger and fatigue after a day of standing in endless lines and the uncertainty and the need to take out your anger on the workers. The workers in the field are not responsible for everything that happens in the field and have no control over it. Hundreds of people are angry and yell at them every day. If you approach them with a greeting and a smile, you will receive wonderful treatment.
Orly Airport
Orly Airport (French: Aéroport Paris-Orly) is located south of Paris near the city of Orly, and is considered the closest airport to the French capital.
The old airport was the main one in the Paris area until it was abandoned in favor of Charles de GaulleToday it is mainly used for cheap international flights and flights within France.
The airport is divided into two terminals: the eastern and western. The eastern terminal is for domestic flights and the western terminal is for international flights.
Many Israelis remember it as an outdated, dilapidated field where both El Al and Sun D'or landed, but if you land at the summer field you're in for a surprise! The airport has undergone an impressive facelift, the Netivot building has been completely renovated, and there's no trace of the old field. In fact, I can attest that it's more beautiful and efficient than Charles de Gaulle.
Information about Orly Airport
Orly Airport is one of several ways you can get to France in general and Paris in particular.
Most often, foreign tourists come toCharles de Gaulle, and this is in light of the fact that Orly currently serves mainly domestic flights. Despite this, it is definitely an airport that invites cheap charter flights from Israel, so there is a high chance that you will meet there.
While at Charles de Gaulle it is possible to name the airlines that arrive as regular flights, the fact that Orly only receives charter flights from Israel does not allow us to name regular routes or a specific company. Everything is based on demand.
Airport structure
The airport consists of 2 terminals.
As befits an airport that was once the main one in France, it is considered quite large and the transfer between the various terminals is done by bus without having to pay.
The free WiFi is only active for fifteen minutes, after which you will have to pay.
How do you get to the airport and from the airport to Paris?
There are a large number of options by which you can get to or return to the airport from Paris.
Uber
For those interested, there is Uber in France, and it can certainly be used and serve you faithfully.
It would be correct to say that Uber is a more expensive service than regular public transportation, but it is a much cheaper alternative to taxis, and sometimes the convenience and speed of getting to your destination are definitely worth a few extra euros.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Uber app: it works based on geographic location and locates drivers nearby. Download the app, enter your credit card information for billing after the trip, and that's it - you can start booking rides.
All you have to do is 'push' a pin at your location, and Uber will provide you with comprehensive information, including the type of vehicle that will pick you up, the price of the trip, information about the driver's rating, and more.
You can download the app from here:
Bolt
Another app that may interest you, although it is less well-known. Its operation is similar to Uber. It is always worth comparing prices and seeing where the most affordable transportation is.
You can download the app at the following links:
Special taxis from Orly Airport to Paris and back
When you land at Orly, look for the sign leading to a designated taxi stand in the airport. The stand is marked and there is a dispatcher who will take you to a taxi.
Important note! When you go out to the waiting room, many drivers will be waiting for you to offer you a ride to Paris. Sometimes they will even show you a taxi driver's license. Despite your fatigue and the queue at the taxi stand, Don't be tempted by the offer. These drivers do not belong to any taxi company, they work illegally and will even charge you an excessive price. All of them do not have insurance – including on the vehicle. Comprehensive insurance for a taxi driver is very expensive and covers any injury to the taxi passengers, unlike drivers, who have regular insurance and in the event of an accident you are not covered.
Ovadia Transportation
Personally, this is the taxi company I prefer and from personal experience. Excellent service, clean and comfortable cars, and punctuality.
Ovadia Shuttle Services operates shuttle lines from Orly Airport (and Charles de Gaulle), and also operates lines that can take you to popular attractions such as Palace of Versailles, Disneyland And Asterix Park.
To order a service:
- Online orders
- Israeli phone: 054-8325353
- French phone: +33659282939
Additional transportation services by Hebrew speakers
In the event that Ovadia's shuttle service is not available, you can find a variety of other companies that are run by Israelis and can provide you with the service you are looking for. I personally have not tried the service – the information came to me solely from warm recommendations from travelers:
- Itzik Transportation
- Reuven the driver
- Juan Transportation
Taxi service
You can find taxi services from and to the airport in the attached link:
trains
There is no direct train from Orly Airport to Paris.
First option is a metro called Orlyval Which connects the airport to the RER B train at Anthony station.
A second option is to use the ADP shuttle that operates at the airport. This is a line that connects the airport to the Gare d'Austerlitz train station. From the station, take the RER C train.
In general, it is worth knowing that the RER train takes you to all stations in Paris. It is important to check with your hotel about the nearest station, and of course check if an internal bus is needed.
Another option is to use the Orlybus company, which operates bus lines to the Place Denfert-Rochereau station.
Public Transport
As I mentioned, when arriving by train, you can use Orlybus but also line 183, which reaches the central area of Paris.
Another option is the various shuttles operated by Air France. There are many shuttles and it is recommended to check their destination carefully with the intelligence. While one shuttle will take you to the center of Paris, the other will take you to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Car rental in Orly
At the airport, you will find a large number of car rental agencies concentrated in one place, in the domestic terminal and also in the parking lot where the cars are concentrated. When you return the car, pay close attention to the signs for the rental car parking lot and not the terminal parking lot.
The terminal is closed at night and only opens at 6 a.m. If you have an early morning flight and have to arrive very early, you can park your car in the parking lot and leave the keys in the lockbox. Getting from one terminal to the other during these hours is complicated; there are still no shuttles and the airport is closed, as is the pedestrian crossing between the two terminals. In a completely unpleasant experience, you will have to walk a long way, cross dark roads, and jump over barriers.
I would be happy to recommend to you the article on the site, which focuses on Renting a car in France.
Transportation in Paris
As mentioned, you will usually arrive at Orly by charter flight with the aim of visiting Paris itself.
Therefore, I would also like to recommend that you visit the article that deals with On transportation in Paris: metro, trains, taxis and even a pair of feet
Tax refunds at Orly Airport
You probably did. Shopping in ParisAnd at the airport on the way back to Israel, you have the option to claim a VAT refund.
A few caveats: A tax refund is available when you are not a resident of the European Union, when you are over the age of 16, and only if you made a purchase whose total cost exceeds 175 euros, including VAT.
There may be more details, it is worth investigating the customs procedures in detail, as I am not fully familiar with them.
Location of tax refund offices at Orly Airport
West Terminal: Landing Level, Gate E
East Terminal: Landing Level, Gate G
Information about takeoffs and landings at Orly Airport
If you want to check and track your flight to or from Orly Airport, you can find information Link below.
Hotels near Orly Airport
If you are returning early in the morning or arriving late at night, it may be worth spending the night in one of the hotels close to Orly Airport.
You can find some not bad hotels inLink this.
We booked a flight! What's next?
There are lots of content articles that will give you rich information about France as a whole and Paris in particular.
If I choose tweezers, then there are 2 articles that you should really read:
Paris for the Traveler – The Complete Guide
Paris is a huge city, and it has so many attractions and beautiful places that you will quickly realize that one trip is not enough.
But so that you can still make the most of your stay there, I have created for you A comprehensive guide for travelers to ParisEverything you need for an unforgettable vacation.
If we're just taking advantage of a connection time in Paris
In this case too, there is an article that will allow you to take a quick look. click here And find out how you can discover the city of Paris in 5 hours or more.
