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Finding a car rental at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers all around France with no booking fees. Pick up your CDG car rental in Terminal 1 or the Terminal 2 rental center, or choose an off-airport shuttle provider to keep costs down. Filter for automatics, one-way rentals or cross-border travel and match your pick-up and drop-off to your flight schedule.
| Location | 👍 Pros | 👎 Cons |
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| Terminal 1 Rentals |
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| Terminal 2 Rental Center |
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| Off-Airport Agencies |
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| Paris City Alternative |
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Major rental companies at CDG include Avis/Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise/National/Alamo, Dollar/Thrifty and Firefly. Premium providers like Audi Rent and Mercedes Rent are also available for luxury vehicles.
In Terminal 1, rental desks are on the arrivals level. Follow the "Location de Voitures" signs after you exit customs and baggage claim. The central car rental area for Terminal 2 serves terminals 2A through 2F. From 2E/2F, follow the covered walkway; from 2A/2C/2D, use the inter-terminal shuttle if needed. Passengers arriving at Terminal 2G or Terminal 3 will need to take the CDGVAL automated shuttle to reach the main rental areas.
On average, car rentals at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport cost around €56 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €35 per day.
Compare on-airport vs off-airport at CDG. Off-airport agencies often avoid the 10-15% airport surcharge and can be cheaper, but factor in the 15-30 minute shuttle.
Play with dates and durations. Weekend pickups at CDG can be cheaper due to weekday business demand. Check 7-day rates too, as they can match 5-day prices.
Choose the right car. Manual transmission is usually 20-30% cheaper than automatic. Smaller cars save on fuel and make Paris parking easier with typical 1.9 m height limits.
Time your booking to the season. For July–August and school holidays, book 2-3 months ahead with free cancellation, then re-check and rebook if prices drop. Off-peak? Monitor and pounce when rates dip.
Weigh one-way costs. Intra-France drops often add €50-100. Compare the fee against saved fuel, tolls and time from not circling back to CDG.
Cut extras and fuel smart. Use your phone with offline maps instead of renting a GPS. Refill in Roissy-en-France before returning to avoid higher airport pump prices.
| Location | Parking Options | Tips & Guidelines |
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| Paris City Center |
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| CDG Airport |
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| Major Tourist Sites |
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| Rural & Wine Regions |
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Low Emission Zones:
Paris has implemented a Low Emission Zone (ZFE) inside the A86 ring road. Vehicles require a Crit'Air emissions sticker indicating their pollution category. Rental cars from CDG should already have the appropriate sticker (usually Crit'Air 1 or 2), but it's common practice for renters to verify this if planning to drive into Paris. Currently, vehicles bearing Crit'Air 4, 5 or unclassified stickers are restricted on weekdays (8am-8pm).
Paris Driving Challenges:
Speed Enforcement:
France has extensive speed camera networks, particularly on highways approaching Paris. Speed limits are strictly enforced:
Rental companies pass fines to the renter along with an additional administrative fee, so stick to posted limits.
Book a rental to easily:
Disneyland Paris – 45 km (28 miles), A104 A4, toll
Versailles – 50 km (31 miles), A86, toll
Reims, Champagne – 140 km (87 miles), A4, toll
Normandy beaches – 280 km (174 miles), A13, toll
Loire Valley, Tours – 240 km (149 miles), A10, toll
Mont Saint-Michel – 370 km (230 miles), A13 A84
How much time should I allow for picking up a rental car at CDG?
During busy times like morning arrivals, it can take you about 30-60 minutes to get your car and drive away. This includes any waiting, doing paperwork, checking the car and finding your way out of the parking lot. If you join a rental loyalty program, you might get faster service.
Can I drive directly into Paris from CDG, or should I use public transport?
You can drive into central Paris from CDG. Just be aware of the heavy traffic, limited parking and confusing one-way streets. To visit the city center, you can take the RER B train. It takes about 30-45 minutes and you won't have to worry about parking. Some people only rent a car when they're leaving Paris to go to other places.
Do I need a special permit or sticker to drive in Paris?
Your rental car should already have the Crit'Air emissions sticker you need for the Paris Low Emission Zone. If you plan to drive inside the A86 ring road, you should check with the rental company that the car has this sticker. Tourists usually don't need any other special permits.
What's the best strategy for returning a rental car when catching a flight?
You should give yourself plenty of time to return your car. Aim for about 90 minutes between getting to the rental return area and your flight's departure. The return areas have good signs but can still be tricky to get around. Make sure you follow the "Rental Car Return" or "Location de Voitures - Retour" signs, not the general parking signs.
Are automatic transmission cars readily available at CDG?
Yes, you can usually find automatic cars at CDG. But there aren't as many of them as manual cars and they can cost about 20-30% more. To make sure you get an automatic, you should book one early, especially if you're traveling in the busy tourist season.
Can I take my CDG rental car to other countries?
Most rental companies let you drive to nearby EU countries like Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain, sometimes for no extra cost. If you drive to Switzerland, you need a special sticker (a vignette) for the highways, and your rental car might not have one. You must tell the rental company if you plan to drive to other countries. They will explain how it affects your rental agreement and insurance.
How does the CDG car rental experience compare to Orly Airport?
At CDG, you'll find more rental companies and a bigger choice of cars than at Orly. It's also easier to find luxury or special cars at CDG. However, Orly is closer to southern Paris and might be a better choice if you're driving south or southwest. CDG is better if you're going to places in the north, east or the wine regions.
What credit cards are accepted for car rentals at CDG?
Most big rental companies take Visa and Mastercard, and many also take American Express. The card must be in the main driver's name. You usually need a credit card, not a debit card, for the security deposit. The company will put a hold of about €800-1500 on your card, so you need to make sure you have enough credit available.
Is it worth joining rental loyalty programs for a one-time CDG rental?
Programs like Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred or Enterprise Plus are usually free to join. They can give you benefits like faster service at the counter, which can save you time. You usually need to sign up online before you rent the car.
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