Car Hire Paris Orly Airport — South Paris Gateway to the Loire and Beyond
Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is France’s second-busiest airport, located just 13 km south of Paris. Historically the city’s primary airport before CDG, Orly now handles mainly domestic and European flights — but it’s actually more convenient than CDG for many destinations. If you’re heading to the Loire Valley, central France, or southern Paris suburbs, Orly puts you closer to your destination and avoids the northern congestion around CDG.
Orly has two terminals: Orly 1 (formerly South) and Orly 2 (formerly West), connected by a free shuttle bus (Orlyval). Both terminals have car rental counters in their arrival halls. The airport is smaller and less chaotic than CDG, making pickup and return faster. Within 20 minutes, you’re on the A6 or A10 motorway heading to the Loire, Burgundy, or the Mediterranean.
Picking Up Your Rental Car at Paris Orly Airport
Car rental counters are in the arrival halls of both Orly 1 and Orly 2. Major providers include Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National, and Alamo. French chains like Ada and Rent A Car also operate here. Most counters are open 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with several offering 24-hour service. The pickup garage (P1, P2, P3) is adjacent to the terminals — follow “Voitures de Location” signs from arrivals.
Vehicle return is in the same location. Follow “Restitution Voitures de Location” signs as you approach the airport. Fuel stations are located at each terminal. Fill up before returning to avoid surcharges.
Documentation: valid driving licence (EU/EEA or International Driving Permit), passport or ID card, and credit card for deposit (€500-1,500). Orly is accustomed to international travellers — service is efficient but documentation is checked carefully.
Where to Go from Paris Orly Airport
Paris City Centre (30 minutes) — Take the A6 north toward Paris. The drive connects to the Périphérique ring road. Avoid rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM). Parking in central Paris is expensive — use Park & Ride or hotels with parking.
Loire Valley (2 hours) — South on the A10. Chambord, Chenonceau, and Amboise châteaux are the highlights. Perfect for a weekend trip. Wine tasting in the Loire vineyards is excellent.
Fontainebleau (45 minutes) — Southeast on the A6. The château and forest are stunning. A favorite of Napoleon and French kings. The forest has excellent hiking and climbing.
Versailles (30 minutes) — West on the A86. The palace and gardens are essential. Book timed tickets online. Avoid weekends when it’s crowded.
Burgundy (2 hours) — Southeast on the A6. Beaune, Dijon, and the Côte d’Or wine region await. Gastronomy and world-class wines.
Tips for Driving in France
Orly connects to the A6 (south to Lyon and the Mediterranean) and A10 (west to Bordeaux and Spain, or south to the Loire). The A86 ring road connects to the Périphérique and northern destinations. Speed limits are 50 km/h in cities, 80 km/h on rural roads, and 130 km/h on motorways (110 km/h in rain). The A6 can be busy during summer holidays — expect slower traffic on weekends.
French motorways are toll roads. Have cash or credit card ready. The A6 and A10 have higher tolls than northern routes, but the roads are excellent. Fuel is cheaper at supermarkets (Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché) than at autoroute service stations.
Paris has a low-emission zone (ZFE) requiring a Crit’Air sticker for central areas. Rental cars should have this; confirm before driving into Paris. The Périphérique ring road can be chaotic — stay in the right lane if exiting, use left lanes for through traffic.
Compare Paris Orly Airport car hire prices using the search above. With immediate access to the A6 and A10, it’s the perfect starting point for the Loire Valley, Burgundy, and southern France.
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