Orléans Travel Tips and FAQ

Orléans is an easy city to navigate, but a few practical details will make your trip smoother. This guide covers getting here from Paris airports, navigating the city’s two train stations, using the tram, tipping customs, tap water safety, visa requirements, and the best day trips from the city. Everything a first-time visitor needs to know.

Orléans Travel Tips: Getting Here

Airports and Transfers

Orléans does not have its own commercial airport. The nearest major airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), 165 km northeast. From CDG Terminal 2, take the TGV directly to Gare des Aubrais , the journey takes 1 hour 15 minutes, and tickets cost €35-55 booked in advance on SNCF Connect. Trains run roughly every 2 hours; the last direct TGV of the day departs around 19:30. From CDG you can also take the RER B to Paris and connect at Gare d’Austerlitz for a TER train to Orléans Centre (total 2.5-3 hours, €25-35). Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is 120 km northeast , take the Orlyval light rail to Antony, then the RER B to Paris Austerlitz for a TER connection (total 2.5 hours, €30-40). The nearest regional airport with some commercial service is Tours Val de Loire Airport (TUF), 105 km southwest, served by Ryanair from London Stansted and Porto. From Tours airport, take a taxi or bus to Tours station (15 minutes), then a TER train to Orléans Centre (50 minutes, €15-20).

Train Stations: Gare d’Orléans vs Gare des Aubrais

Orléans has two train stations, and mixing them up is a common mistake. Gare d’Orléans is the city-centre station on the north edge of the old town , this is where TER regional trains arrive from Paris Austerlitz, Blois, and Tours. Gare des Aubrais is a larger TGV station 5 km north of the centre in the suburb of Fleury-les-Aubrais , this is where TGVs from Paris CDG, Nantes, Bordeaux, and Lyon stop. If your ticket says ‘Les Aubrais’ or ‘Fleury-les-Aubrais’, you are NOT arriving at the city-centre station. Tram A connects Les Aubrais to the centre in 15 minutes (€1.60). A taxi between the two stations costs around €15-20. Always double-check which station your train serves before booking accommodation , if you are arriving at Les Aubrais with heavy luggage, the Novotel Centre Gare is a hassle-free taxi ride away.

Orléans Travel Tips: Getting Around

Tram and Bus (TAO Network)

Orléans’ public transport network (branded TAO) is built around Tram A, a 30-km north-south line with 27 stops. It runs from Jules Verne (north, near Les Aubrais station) to Hôpital de la Source (south, near the university and botanical park). Key stops for visitors: Gare d’Orléans (station), De Gaulle (cathedral/old town), Royale-Châtelet (riverfront), and Parc Floral (botanical park). Trams run every 5-8 minutes during the day (05:00-00:30, extended to 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). A single ticket costs €1.60 and is valid for 1 hour on both tram and bus. Buy tickets at tram stop machines (coins and cards accepted) or via the TAO app. A 24-hour pass costs €4.30. The city centre is compact enough that you can walk between most sights , you will mainly use the tram for journeys to Les Aubrais station, the Parc Floral, or the Zénith concert venue.

Taxis and Ride Sharing

Uber operates in Orléans, though availability is thinner than in Paris , expect a 5-10 minute wait in the city centre, longer late at night. A ride from Gare des Aubrais to the old town costs roughly €15-20. Official taxis wait at ranks outside both train stations. There is no Uber at Les Aubrais station , use the taxi rank or the tram. Bolt and FreeNow are not widely available. For late-night returns from restaurants, the tram is usually the best option (last tram around 00:30).

Orléans Travel Tips: Money, Tipping, and Safety

Currency, Cards, and Tipping

France uses the euro (€). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, including in the tram ticket machines and at markets (though some market stalls are cash-only). ATMs are plentiful in the city centre , look for BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, or La Banque Postale machines. Tipping is not required in France (a 15% service charge is included in all restaurant prices by law), but rounding up the bill or leaving €1-2 per person for good service is appreciated. In bars, leaving the small change is common. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, though rounding up to the nearest euro is standard.

Safety and Tap Water

Orléans is a safe city by any measure. The city centre is well-lit and busy until late, with bars on Rue de Bourgogne open past midnight. Exercise normal precautions: watch your phone at outdoor cafe tables, avoid the area around Gare d’Orléans very late at night (it can attract people who are intoxicated), and lock your bike if you are cycling the Loire à Vélo. Tap water is perfectly safe to drink , it comes from the Loire alluvial aquifer and is treated to French national standards. There are public drinking fountains in Place du Martroi and along Quai du Châtelet. Restaurants will serve tap water (une carafe d’eau) for free if you ask , it is standard practice in France. The emergency number is 112.

Orléans Travel Tips: Practicalities

Visas and Entry Requirements

France is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many other countries can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. From mid-2025, non-EU travellers who do not need a visa will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation (€7, valid for 3 years) before travel , check the official EU ETIAS website for the latest status. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area. Travel insurance covering medical costs is strongly recommended , healthcare in France requires upfront payment that is later reimbursed, and hospital stays can run into thousands of euros without insurance.

Language and Phrases

French is the official language. In the city centre and at hotels, you will find English spoken at a basic to intermediate level, particularly by younger staff. In smaller shops, bakeries, and at the market, some French goes a long way. Key phrases: Bonjour (hello/good day , always say this when entering a shop, it is considered rude not to), S’il vous plaît (please), Merci (thank you), L’addition s’il vous plaît (the bill please), Parlez-vous anglais? (Do you speak English?), Où sont les toilettes? (Where is the toilet?), Un ticket de tram s’il vous plaît (One tram ticket please). Orléans is not an aggressively touristy city, so making an effort with French is appreciated and will improve how you are treated.

Best Day Trips from Orléans

Orléans sits at the northern edge of the Loire Valley’s château country. The best day trips: Château de Chambord (55 km south, 45 minutes by car, the largest and most spectacular Loire château , entry €16), Château de Chenonceau (95 km southwest, 80 minutes by car, the iconic river-spanning château , entry €16), Blois (45 minutes by TER train, royal château with four architectural styles plus a compact old town , entry €13, train €10-15 return), Château de Cheverny (65 km south, 50 minutes by car, perfectly preserved 17th-century interiors , entry €14), and the Cathedral city of Chartres (55 km north, 50 minutes by car or 45 minutes by TER from Les Aubrais, one of Europe’s finest Gothic cathedrals with 176 stained-glass windows , free entry to cathedral, train €12-18 return). A rental car gives you the most flexibility for château-hopping; Europcar, Avis, and Sixt all have desks at Gare d’Orléans. For Chambord and Cheverny, arriving before 10:00 avoids the worst of the coach-tour crowds.

Suggested Hotels in Orléans

Three solid options across the price spectrum, all with Booking.com links for easy reservations:

Empreinte Hotel & Spa (Luxury)

A 4-star boutique on the Loire riverbank with 32 rooms, a full spa, and a bar terrace overlooking the water. The premier choice for couples and anyone wanting a romantic riverfront stay. Check rates and availability

Hôtel de l’Abeille (Mid-Range)

A 3-star in a pedestrian street in the heart of the old town, with individually decorated rooms and a rooftop solarium with cathedral views. The best-value character stay in Orléans. Check rates and availability

Ibis budget Orléans Sud Comet (Budget)

A clean, functional budget option with free parking and a 10-minute tram ride to the centre. The best pick for travellers watching their budget or arriving by car. Check rates and availability