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Rent car from CDG or outside of Paris?

Posted by on

Hello, first time poster here!

We will be arriving at CDG about 4pm on a Tuesday in July. We opted for a stay-over in Iceland, so jet lag shouldn’t be an issue for us. We are taking a road trip around the circumference-ish of France, so I’m trying to figure out car rental details and what location to rent from. The plan is to spend the first night in Versailles area before traveling for 3 weeks and then end the trip back in Paris for a few days before flying back home at 7am.
My initial thought was to pick up a car rental from CDG, return it to CDG when we arrive back in Paris, and then sight see Paris via bus or train. But I’m seeing lots of comments about not getting a rental car from CDG and instead renting outside of Paris to avoid the Paris traffic.
We always rent through Costco, so it will need to be a bigger rental car company.

Also, we are contemplating getting an EV, especially with what gas prices might be then. Is it fairly easy to find charging stations?

Thanks!

Posted by
3893 posts

Welcome to the forum!
When it comes to rental cars in Europe, AutoEurope is a consolidator for the large rental agencies such as Sixt, Budget, Enterprise. Avis, Hertz and other names you’ll recognize. I have had great experiences in renting through AutoEurope throughout Europe, as have many others who regularly contribute to this forum. AutoEurope offers discounted rates that often are lower than the car rental agencies themselves offer. And—-AutoEurooe can set you up with a car rental in Versailles where you can pick up a car once you’re leaving Versailles to explore France. I suggest returning the car to Versailles so you can avoid having to drive in Paris or out to CDG Airport. You won’t need a car in Paris and it will be much easier to pickup and dropoff a car outside of Paris and simply take the RER commuter trains between Versailles and Paris, and between Paris and CDG airport.
You can see what AutoEurope has available for car rentals at www.AutoEurope.com

Keep in mind that French law requires that you have an International Drivers Permit ( “IDP”) to be able to
drive in France. An IDP is a translation of your US drivers license into French and several other languages, and one can easily be obtained at your local American Automobile Association office for about $30. Each driver on your trip will need to have an IDP.

Have a great trip!

Posted by
7793 posts

I second the Versailles suggestion; most big-name companies have an office there.

Regarding EVs, charging station density is good enough but as a foreigner I'd be a bit wary. The easiest charging options are quite expensive (motorway service plazas), and the cheaper ones might require registrations or things like that, not always easy to navigate. Also, in rural regions, the stations become few and far between.

I'd stick with gas.

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