Paris car rental guide
Top 10 Car Rental Companies in Paris
The best car rental companies in Paris are Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise. Prices start from €32/day for an economy car, the minimum age is 21, and airport pickup adds about 15%.
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Ranked comparison
Top 10 rental companies in Paris
Ranked by customer rating, price transparency and pickup convenience. Each opens a pre-filled search.
#1
Sixt
Editor’s pickFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€34/day
all-in estimate
View Sixt deal
#2
Europcar
Local favouriteFull-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Europcar deal
#3
Enterprise
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Enterprise deal
#4
Hertz
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€36/day
all-in estimate
View Hertz deal
#5
Avis
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€35/day
all-in estimate
View Avis deal
#6
Budget
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€32/day
all-in estimate
View Budget deal
#7
Alamo
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€33/day
all-in estimate
View Alamo deal
#8
National
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €250Min age 21Free cancellationAirportDowntown
From€37/day
all-in estimate
View National deal
#9
Thrifty
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
base rate
View Thrifty deal
#10
Dollar
Full-to-fullUnlimited mileageDeposit from €300Min age 21Free cancellationAirport
From€30/day
base rate
View Dollar deal
Prices are indicative market estimates · Last checked 2026-07-01 · 2 public sources (DiscoverCars + market data)
Price guide
Prices by car type in Paris
| Car type | From / day | Example | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | €32 | Renault Clio | 5 |
| Compact | €38 | Peugeot 308 | 5 |
| SUV | €54 | Peugeot 3008 | 5 |
| Minivan (7-seat) | €72 | Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer | 7 |
| Luxury | €98 | Mercedes E-Class | 5 |
Pickup locations
Where to pick up a car in Paris
Airport — Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
Rental desks at Terminal 1 (Arrivals, Level 5) and Terminal 2; some fleets via short shuttle from the car-rental centre.
Downtown — Central Paris
Desks near Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon and the Champs-Élysées / Place de la Concorde.
Fees
Fees at a glance
| Fee | Typical amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Airport surcharge | ~15% of base rate | Any airport pickup (CDG/Orly) |
| Young-driver fee (21–24) | €20–40/day | Drivers under 25 |
| Additional driver | €8–13/day | Per extra driver |
| One-way fee | €40–120 | Different drop-off location |
| Autoroute tolls (péage) | ~€0.08–0.12/km | Driving on toll motorways |
| Crit’Air sticker | €3.70 (one-off) | Low-emission zone (ZFE) inside the A86 |
Local intelligence
Things to know before renting in Paris
- Drive on the right; most French rentals are manual — request automatic explicitly and expect a surcharge.
- A Crit’Air vignette (€3.70) is compulsory in the Paris low-emission zone (ZFE) inside the A86, Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; from 1 Jan 2025 Crit’Air 3 cars are banned.
- Most motorways charge péage tolls — roughly €0.08–0.12/km; Paris→Lyon is about €40 each way.
- Visitors from outside the EU should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence.
- Parking in central Paris is scarce and metered — many visitors collect the car on the way out of the city.
- Minimum rental age is typically 21 with at least one year of licence held, and a young-driver surcharge applies under 25.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Paris
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Paris?
You must be at least 21 and have held your licence for at least one year. Drivers aged 21–24 usually pay a young-driver surcharge of €20–40/day, and some premium categories require 25+.
Do I need an International Driving Permit in France?
EU/EEA licences are accepted as-is. Visitors from outside Europe should carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their original licence — it is a standardised translation that lets French police verify your credentials.
What insurance is included and what is the excess?
Base rates include third-party liability plus CDW/theft, but the excess (franchise) typically runs €500–2,500. A zero-excess top-up (or DiscoverCars Full Coverage) removes that risk.
What deposit should I expect?
A credit-card hold of roughly €250–300 is standard (more for premium cars). It is a hold, not a charge, and is released after you return the car undamaged. A physical credit card in the main driver’s name is required.
How do tolls (péage) and the Crit’Air zone work?
Most motorways are tolled at roughly €0.08–0.12/km — take a ticket on entry, pay by card at the exit barrier (Paris→Lyon is about €40 each way). Inside Paris, the low-emission zone (ZFE) within the A86 also requires a Crit’Air vignette (€3.70 from certificat-air.gouv.fr) on weekdays 8am–8pm; modern rental cars usually qualify, but Crit’Air 3 cars are banned from 1 Jan 2025.
Can I do a one-way rental (different drop-off)?
Yes, most suppliers allow one-way rentals within France for a fee of roughly €40–120. Cross-border drop-offs into other EU countries are more restricted and pricier.
Where can I pick up a car — airport or city centre?
Both. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) has in-terminal desks at Terminal 1 (Arrivals, Level 5) and Terminal 2, and there are central Paris desks near Gare du Nord, Gare de Lyon and the Champs-Élysées.
What is the cheapest car type in Paris?
Economy cars (e.g. Renault Clio) start around €32/day. For families, a 7-seat minivan starts around €72/day.
