Arriving late at Paris Orly: your real options

Paris Orly has an important fact most travelers don't know: there's a curfew from 11:30 PM to 6:00 AM. No flights land or depart during this window. So "late night" at Orly means arriving between 9-11:30 PM, when delayed evening flights push the schedule.

What's running in the late evening

| Transport | Last service | Resumes | |---|---|---| | Orlyval | ~23:00 | ~06:00 | | OrlyBus | ~00:30 | ~05:30 | | Tram T7 | ~00:30 | ~05:30 | | Noctilien (night buses) | Through the night | N22, N31, N131, N144 | | Taxis | 24/7 | Always at ranks | | Pre-booked transfers | 24/7 | Always available |

Flights landing 9-11 PM

This is the most common "late" scenario at Orly. At this hour:

• OrlyBus is still running (last departure around 00:30)
• Tram T7 is still running
• Orlyval runs until about 23:00 — cutting it close for 10 PM+ arrivals
• Taxis are always available at the rank

If your flight lands at 10 PM, you should be through baggage claim by 10:30-10:45 PM. The OrlyBus and Tram T7 will still be running. The Orlyval might be tight.

After midnight (rare scenario)

If a severely delayed flight lands close to the curfew (11-11:30 PM), you might exit the terminal around midnight. At that point:

• Noctilien night buses are your public transport option — N22 and N31 serve the Orly area, connecting to Chatelet and other hubs. Runs every 30-60 minutes. Slow and not tourist-friendly.
• Taxis are the practical choice. Flat rates still apply: 35 EUR Left Bank, 44 EUR Right Bank.
• Pre-booked transfers are guaranteed.
• Uber/VTC apps work but availability can be thin very late.

The flat-rate taxi advantage at night

Paris's flat-rate taxi system is especially valuable at night because:

• Same price as daytime — no night surcharge on the flat rate
• Empty roads — the ride takes 20-25 minutes instead of 40+ minutes during the day
• Always available — Orly's taxi rank has cars for the last flights

You're essentially getting a faster, emptier ride for the same 35-44 EUR. Late evening is actually the best time for a Paris airport taxi.

Safety

Orly Airport is safe at any operating hour — well-patrolled and well-lit. The main concern is the taxi rank: only use the official rank. Ignore anyone inside the terminal offering a ride. Unlicensed drivers ("pirates") occasionally target late arrivals.

Paris at night is generally fine for tourists, especially the central neighborhoods where hotels are located.

Our recommendation

For late evening arrivals (9-11 PM): the flat-rate taxi is the clear winner. Same price as daytime, faster ride, no connections. For the rare midnight scenario after severe delays: taxi or pre-booked transfer. Don't count on the Orlyval — its schedule cuts off too early.