Driving in Paris – good idea?

akptc

akptc

Shoot first, think later
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I am going to land in Paris and would like to rent a car to travel north to Arras and then on to Germany and Poland. Theoretically, it would be convenient to pick up the car in Paris instead of lugging my suitcase(s) to/from the train stations. But – last time I drove in Paris (in 1986) it was a rather nerve-wracking experience. I wonder if it makes sense to risk life and limb by driving through that crazy city. Appreciate any opinions.

Of course, I am also agonizing about my choice of gear for this June-long trip (portraits and landscapes) but one question at a time :)
 
From what I've seen in my last trip to Paris in January, combined with what my local friends told me, I wouldn't be driving in Paris. Probably you won't kill yourself because you can't go fast in the city, but might kill a pedestrian or two, and/or wreck your car. :p Parking is a nightmare, too. If you decide to take car there, make sure you get smallest car possible. Again, parking is super hard.

I'd park at a train station out side of the city, and take train to Paris. That's what I did.
 
I've driven many times in Paris and never found it a problem.
Of course, you have to be very alert and make sure you get your way.
Getting a parking place in Paris, that's a challenge.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
Probably the driving part is just matter of getting used to. When my friends visited me in SF from a small town in Japan, they where screaming as I weaved around traffic and went down the hills, riding the "opposite" side of the road. :p

They were gonna try renting a car, but quickly trashed the idea as soon as they saw me driving. And every large city has its own "street rules" on top of the local traffic laws. I'd avoid driving in big cities like NYC, Paris and Tokyo because I've never driven there. I'd rather take metro in those cities.
 
There's a first time for everything.
Just try and see it's not a big deal after all.
I've seen MUCH, MUCH worse traffic then the traffic in Paris.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema
 
just my 2 cents:
* consider taking an airport bus into town, and choose a hotel near the bus terminal
* do your paris travelling by metro and bus
* when you're ready to leave for arras and beyond, rent a car (there should be a choice near the bus terminal)
* check in advance with the car rental company about going into poland. there may be restrictions on type of car. are you going to leave the car in poland? one-way rentals can be difficult or expensive.

in any case, have a great trip!

greetings from hamburg

rick
 
akptc said:
I am going to land in Paris and would like to rent a car to travel north to Arras and then on to Germany and Poland. Theoretically, it would be convenient to pick up the car in Paris instead of lugging my suitcase(s) to/from the train stations. But – last time I drove in Paris (in 1986) it was a rather nerve-wracking experience. I wonder if it makes sense to risk life and limb by driving through that crazy city. Appreciate any opinions.

Of course, I am also agonizing about my choice of gear for this June-long trip (portraits and landscapes) but one question at a time :)
Click to expand...

walk, metro and bus is fine, there is enought public transport not to need a car ;) paris is not so big ;)
 
I haven't driven in Paris, but I have in several other large capital cites. My advice: Don't. It's the perfect way to build stress and ruin a visit. If you will be driving to Germany and Poland, arrange to pick up a car at some town outside Paris that's easily reachable by train. Use cabs when you need to use them. If hauling luggage is an issue, take fewer bags and/or ship them ahead to your final destination.
 
Driving in Paris - don't bother. Parking in Paris, no way. Driving away from Paris, especially from the airport which is some distance from the centre of town, no problem.
 
I think, it makes a lot of sense to drive in Paris (especially the great roundabouts) - you'll feel much more alive after doing that ;-) It's a bit like bungee jumping; I'm still proud that I did it.
 
It's not a big deal, and sure more convenient with suitcases and stuff. Get a Diesel, it's cheaper. When you park, don't use your hand-break :)
 
I drive to work from Paris to the outskirts everyday and of course, it is a second nature to me (especially the Arch of Triumph round-abound ... full gas and go straight ;) ) But during the weekends, no car, it is much more convenient to use the bus/metro/trains or walk.
Anyways, airports are not in the city, so rent a car there, put your luggage in and leave it parked there. Take the bus downtown for a walk than get your car back at the airport when you are finished. If landing in Charles de Gaulle, you will be already on the way to Arras.
 
I haven't driven there, but have driven in other large cities w/ crazy traffic. It's all about timing. Make sure you don't end up on the road, especially initially, during rush hour commutes. If you can work your schedule to where you can pick up your car at a time when there isn't a lot of traffic it will help a great deal. Even here in tiny Las Cruces, New Mexico, I don't like to be out between 7am and around 8:30, lunch time, and from 4PM to about 6. Avoiding these time periods usually results in a pleasant time on the roads.
 
Thanks everyone! Now I reckon I will have to rent a red Ferrari, keep my foot on the gas and watch out for the pigeons. Of course, given my ripe age of 45, this just might be the way to get through the mid-life crisis on the cheap :D. Seriously though, I just realized I can have the car delivered at the Charles de Gaulle airport so no need to drive through Paris. I do remember how I loved to walk around that gorgeous city with my gf years ago.. Ah, to be young again, in Paris … :) Btw, I found that, while many French agencies will not insure a car for travel to Poland, Peugeot has a “rent-to-own” program that provides 24/7 assistance almost anywhere in Europe and they have no problem with PL.

- Thanks again for all the advice, I really appreciate it.
 
I spent a lot of years driving and walking around NYC so Paris London were no big deal. As mentioned above parking is the nastiest part. I do not remember any of the subway being as far under ground as most of the tube in London so carrying bags isn't as bad when you find the only two escalators that are out in the entire city that day. Watch the crazy scooter drivers, that was the biggest change I saw a couple of springs ago.

B2 (;->
 
When driving in Paris: If the lights or the brake isn't working - no problem, but if the horn is not honking - the car is considered a wreck :p

I really wouldn't recommend driving in Paris, unless you are an adrenaline junkie. However, it can be fun, like when I was bicycling in the traffic of Rome, Italy... If you want to experience what it feels like to be a chased rabbit, try crossing each of the eight crossings around the triumph arch by foot, during rush hours. Been there, done that, and yes - it made me feel like a real man :D
 
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