Renting a Car in Paris? Here’s What to Know (By a Local)

These English-language sites let you book a car in Paris with a foreign license. All three participate in PayPal Honey, as well, so you can get cash or gift certificates back on your booking.

Discover Carsis the best site for Paris car rentals. You’ll find the most vehicles listed here, ensuring you find the type of car you want. Filters are easy to use to narrow down choices. My favorite feature is the prepayment and fuel information that the site posts. Discover Cars is particularly useful for renting a car in Paris because it has age and nationality filters. 

RentalCars.comis a useful site for Parisian car rentals. You’ll get a wide selection of choices here. The summary box for each car is particularly useful, as it lists which cars have automatic transmissions—which are not a given in France! The default order of results is by “recommended” car, but there are tabs to sort by price or distance. 

Kayakis a site with a smaller selection of Paris rental cars than Discover Cars or RentalCars.com. However, it still provides a comprehensive selection. My favorite part of this site is the price predictor. This feature tells you whether you should book your car right now or wait for prices to drop. 

Do You Need a Rental Car in Paris?

You may need a rental car in Paris if you plan on taking day trips from the city. People with disabilities may also find renting a car helpful. Otherwise, rental cars are unnecessary since all the top Paris attractions are accessible via public transportation or walking. Driving in France is generally straightforward. Driving in Paris can be trickier.

Getting around Paris by public transportation is generally cheap and efficient. You can reach most destinations in the city within forty minutes for €2.10 on the metro or bus. Not all metro stations are accessible, but buses have ramps.

Rideshares are available in Paris via the Uber app. Lyft does not work in France. Uber is most reliable during the day. It can be expensive and time-consuming during rush hours or at night. Taxis are reasonably priced for shorter trips. You can book in advance or order a taxi with the G7 app. 

Paris Custom Itinerary

Craft your own custom itinerary without stress. Get a self-guided trip plan tailored by our local expert Rachel.

Rental Car Requirements for Paris

🚘 Driving Age – You must be 18 to drive in France at all. Renting a car generally requires older drivers. Many companies require drivers to be 21, while others have a minimum of 25. You can enter your age on Discover Cars to narrow results. 

🌎 License Requirements – Americans can use their license in Paris for up to 90 days. Policies vary depending on which country issued your license, so check the French embassy’s website in your country. 

📅 License Policies – Most rental companies in Paris require drivers to have held their licenses for a minimum period. This can be one or even three years. Verify policies with your company before booking. 

🚗 Car Insurance – The quoted car rental price will include unlimited third-party liability insurance. This is the minimum the government requires. You will need proof of insurance in the car at all times, so check with your rental company to ensure you have it before departing. 

🔧 Additional Insurance – Additional insurance coverage for roadside assistance, theft, and medical expenses can be useful. Some credit cards and homeowner policies provide this. You can also check VisitorsCoverage.com to compare policies and prices. 

💳 Payment – Car rentals in cash are very hard to find. Plan on using a credit or debit card to rent a car in Paris, even if a rental agency does not require a deposit or prepayment. 

How Much Do Rental Cars Cost in Paris?

Average rental costs for a midsize sedan in Paris are between $90 and $155. 

Air conditioning and automatic transmissions generally make rental costs higher. Other factors, including car size and type, will also cause prices to change. For example, prices are higher depending on when you visit Paris. Summer and other high seasons have higher prices.

🚗 Compare rental car prices for your dates by searching these sites: 

• Discover Cars
• RentalCars.com
• Kayak

11 Tips & Things to Know Before Renting in Paris

Tip #1 –  Read Conditions Carefully

International drivers renting cars in France are often surprised by bills for fees after their rental has ended. For example, one driver was charged with unknown speeding ticket fees, according to the NY Times. Realize that you can be liable for speeding and parking tickets under certain circumstances. Review your rental agreements carefully to understand potential charges.

Tip #2 – Budget for Gas

Gas in Paris may not seem expensive, until you realize it’s sold in liters, rather than gallons. As of January 2024, the average price for French gas is $5.54 a gallon according to this CNN report. Incorporate this into your budget when planning to drive in Paris.

Tip #3 – Plan for All Expenses

Renting a car may seem like the cheapest option for your trip at first. However, take into account factors like deposits, insurance, gas, and transport to and from agencies. After adding everything up, other ways of getting around Paris or France may be cheaper. 

Tip #4 – Plan Parking in Advance

Parisian parking is legendarily tough. However, you can find parking close to your accommodations in Paris ahead of time using sites like Paris, France Parking. Look for an underground lot with good lighting and 24/7 availability. I do not recommend parking on the street in Paris.

Tip #5 – Go Outside the City if Possible

Paris car rental prices are generally much higher than car rental prices outside the city. Furthermore, you’ll likely have to drive through lots of traffic before leaving the city. 

Consider renting in outlying Paris neighborhoods like the 16th arrondissement (district) or a suburb like Neuilly-Sur-Seine if you’re getting a car for day trips or longer journeys outside of Paris. These areas are accessible via public transportation and much more convenient for leaving the city.

Tip #6 – Avoid Street Parking if Possible

Vandalism and petty damage to cars are common in Paris. Parking on the street increases your chances of encountering these situations. Paris street parking is also metered and subject to strict time limits. 

Make renting a car in Paris easier by arranging your parking in an underground garage. This is easier than planning on finding street parking near your destination. It may be slightly more expensive, but the safety and peace of mind is worth it. 

📚 Related Reading: Is Paris Safe for Travel?

Tip #7 – Never Leave Valuables in the Car

Paris is a big city with its share of burglaries. Take valuables into your hotel with you, or leave them at home before traveling. Cars with locks will not prevent thieves from breaking in to get a wallet or phone. Instead, you’re more likely to end up with a shattered window as well as missing items. 

Tip #8 – Get an International Permit

You will either need to get a notarized translation within 90 days or an international driving permit if your driver’s license isn’t in French. You can get international permits online cheaply and quickly, so this is generally the easier option. Many rental companies will not require this to book a car, however, you will need one when picking it up or if pulled over on the road. 

Tip #9 – Know the Road Rules

Driving in Paris may seem like driving in any other big city. However, Paris has particular rules and regulations you should know about ahead of time. 

For example, the speed limit in Paris is generally 30 km/hr (18.6 mph), with a few exceptions. This can slow down travel times and easily lead to tickets. Similarly, you are not allowed to honk your horn within city limits except in case of imminent danger. 

Tip #10 – Keep an Eye on Transmission and AC Options

The default for French rental cars is a manual transmission. Automatics are available, but they generally cost more, and you may need to filter results for them specifically. Air conditioning is not standard on older French cars. Newer cars generally have it, but check options on rental sites to ensure your car does if this is important to you.

Tip #11 – Prepare for Aggressive Driving

Paris has its fair share of aggressive drivers who break the speed limit and honk, despite strict road rules. You will encounter cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists who weave in and out of traffic. You may also feel pressure to drive similarly, but realize that the police will not hesitate to make an example out of you. 

FAQs About Paris Car Rentals

***

Renting a car in Paris can be a great way to complete your Paris itinerary with a day trip. I hope you found this guide helpful and enjoy a wonderful trip to Paris! 

(Featured Image Credit: Mike_O / Shutterstock)