Getting Around Orléans
Orléans is a compact city in central France, located southwest of Paris. The historic centre is best explored on foot, but the city offers several public transport options for reaching outlying attractions and for visitors staying outside the main tourist area.
Walking and Cycling
The historic centre of Orléans is not large, and walking is the best way to explore it. Much of the centre is pedestrianised, making it pleasant for visitors to move around on foot. If you prefer two wheels, bike rental stations throughout the city allow you to rent bicycles for point-to-point journeys at a small fee.
The Tram Network
Orléans has two tram lines operated by TAO Orléans. Line A runs roughly north to south, connecting Les Aubrais in the north to Hôpital de la Source in the south, serving the city centre, the suburb of Olivet, and the University of Orléans. Line B runs east to west. The two lines cross at the de Gaulle stop in the city centre. Trams run every 10 minutes during the day and every 20–30 minutes in the evening until around 23:30.
The tram is particularly useful for reaching attractions further from the historic centre, such as Parc Floral. It also connects both of the city's main railway stations—Orléans railway station in the centre and Fleury-Les Aubrais-Orléans to the north—making it easy to transfer between rail and tram services.
The Bus Network
TAO Orléans operates an extensive bus network centred on Orléans railway station. Buses do not pass through the historic centre and mainly serve residential areas and outlying parts of the city. They are useful for reaching hotels and attractions outside the main tourist zone.
You can pay cash on board buses or purchase tickets in advance. Buses accept the same tickets as the tram system.
Ticketing for Public Transport
Single journey tickets, return tickets, 10-journey tickets, and 24-hour passes are all available. A single journey costs €1.60; a 24-hour ticket costs €4.00. The same tickets are valid on both trams and buses. You can purchase tickets in advance at machines found at every tram stop or on board buses with cash. Group tickets and student discounts are also available through TAO. For journey planning and a full list of ticket types, visit the TAO website, which offers journey planners and downloadable route maps. Note that Google Maps does not reliably show Orléans tram and bus information, so use TAO's official tools instead.
Rail Services
Orléans has two main railway stations. Orléans railway station is a modern facility in the city centre serving trains to Paris, Angers, Blois, Bourges, Nantes, Nevers, Tours, and Vierzon. Some regional trains and direct services from Paris Austerlitz stop here.
Fleury-Les Aubrais-Orléans, located north of the city, is the main hub for long-distance services. It is served by trains to Paris, Blois, Bourges, Brive-la-Gaillarde, Limoges, Nevers, Perpignan, Toulouse, Tours, and Vierzon. Most long-distance trains call at Les Aubrais rather than the central station. The two stations are connected by tram Line A, allowing easy transfers. Train services are operated by SNCF.
Getting from Paris Airports to Orléans
Most visitors fly into Paris rather than Orléans, which has no direct international flight services. The nearest major airports are Paris-Orly (closer if driving) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (served by most international carriers). Neither airport offers direct services to Orléans, and you will need to transfer in Paris.
By train is a common option: intercity services run from Paris Gare d'Austerlitz to Orléans, taking approximately one hour. This is a straightforward and efficient route into the city.
Alternatively, you can drive from Paris to Orléans via the A10 motorway, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. The toll-free N20 national route also connects Paris to Orléans, though it passes through villages and takes slightly longer.
Driving and Parking
Driving in the historic centre is not practical—the area is largely pedestrianised, driving is difficult, and parking is near impossible. Outside the historic centre, paid parking is available on main streets, and several large parking garages are located near the centre. If you arrive by car, cheaper park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts offer an alternative to central parking.
Arriving by Car
Orléans is well connected to the French motorway network via the A10 (Paris–Bordeaux route), the A71 (Orléans–Clermont-Ferrand), and the A19 (Sens–Artenay). The city is also accessible via the National route 20 from Paris to Spain.