Paris Car Rental

The beautiful “City of Lights” is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe who want to experience the many delights of Paris, France. People come to Paris for many reasons; art lovers visiting the galleries, history buffs touring first class museums, sight seers taking in the iconic architecture, gastronomes tasting the world famous cuisine, wine enthusiasts sipping the grapes, and power shoppers hitting all the boutiques. But whatever your reason for coming to Paris, you will need a way to get to your various destinations in and around the city.

Not a fan of public transportation? Renting a car in Paris can be a bold move, especially for anyone who isn’t experienced with city driving. Traffic is always heavy and finding a parking spot is often akin to finding the proverbial needle in a haystack – not an easy task. However, there is much to be said for the independence and freedom of movement you gain when you rent a car as opposed to the rigid time schedules imposed by the Metro. Paris does have fairly reliable public transportation, but you do have to adhere to the scheduled departures and arrivals, make sure you are on the right bus or train for your chosen destination, wait in lines with crowds of other people and then share seats with strangers.

Even taking a taxi in Paris isn’t anything like as easy as whistling down a yellow cab in New York. Paris taxis will take you where you want to go but they are a lot harder to find. However, when you rent a car in Paris, you can go whenever and wherever you want, have the vehicle all to yourself, adjust the air conditioning or heat to your liking and change the radio station to your favorite music.

Renting a car in Paris is especially wise when your accommodations are located outside the city center, perhaps in one of the less expensive inns in the suburbs. Car rental may also be the most convenient option for people with limited mobility. There are also many places near Paris that make great day trips during your vacation, and a rented car provides a comfortable mode of touring the countryside.

You can rent a car at the airports or train stations from the standard companies such as Europcar, Sixt, Alamo, Avis, Thrifty, Budget, National and Hertz. Some private guides in Paris will arrange a rental car for you.

From the Eiffel Tower to Disneyland, museums to wineries, and all the marvelous places in between, Paris is a city with a great deal to offer. Whether you walk, or take the Metro, or rent a car, it is well worth your time to take in as many of its attractions as you can.

Article author: Cathy Jones