Car Hire Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport - Terminal 1

Car Hire

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is by far the largest of the three international airports serving the world's most visited tourism destination. This sprawling airport straddles three different departments in the middle of northern Paris, 14 miles northeast of the centre of France's capital. From the facility, passengers can reach Disneyland Paris theme park in just 10 minutes or central Paris in 40 minutes aboard one of the world's first integrated airport trains. Taxis and car rental in Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport make the journey to central Paris in about 45 minutes, while a wide variety of buses are available.

Who to Book With
Sixt, Europcar and Avis are among the internationally famous car rental companies found within Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport’s terminals. One of these companies, Advantage, accepts online booking only, while others cater to one-the-spot rental. All car hire desks remain open between the first and final flights of each day.

Need to Know Essentials
Vehicle collection requires the following mandatory documents:

- A full driver’s licence, held for a period of 12 months or more
- A valid credit card
- A passport for foreign motorists

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Paris is a notoriously difficult city for driving and even most locals do not drive a vehicle here. Dense traffic, scarce parking, motorists who suddenly change lanes and jaywalking pedestrians are just some of the hazards motorists may encounter on the busy beltways and streets of France's capital. Motorists who hit pedestrians or cyclists who cross on red lights must assume responsibility for any damages. Paris Carte tickets must be purchased from tobacconist shops before drivers can use the city's pay-and-display parking system. Driving is far easier and more practical in Paris suburbs, such as the historic Fontainbleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte.

See our guide to France for more information on driving here.

Transport

One of Europe's first integrated airport rail systems is just one of many ways passengers can travel from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to the rest of France's capital. Taxis, TGV trains, car hire and buses all make the 14-mile journey to the city in 40 to 45 minutes. Disneyland Paris is even closer, at a 10-minute journey from the airport.

Trains
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport's SNCF high-speed rail station, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV, is situated between the 2C-2D and 2E-2F terminals. SNCF tickets between Disneyland Paris and the airport cost roughly £14. The airport also features two RER B rail stations, Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 and 2. The RER B journey between Châtelet Les Halles station and the airport takes around 50 minutes and costs £7.50.

Taxis
Terminals 1, 2A and 3 all contain taxi ranks where Les Taxis Bleus taxis, among cabs operated by other firms, wait to make the 45-minute journey into the heart of Paris. Legitimate taxis have lights on their roofs. Passengers should expect fares to increase by 15 per cent on Sundays and public holidays, and in morning rush hours.

Taxi prices:
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris city centre is about £40
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Orly Airport is about £40
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Stade de France is about £25
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Versailles Exhibition Park is about £40

Buses
Cars Air France operates two bus lines; one between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Orly which costs around £16 and another which makes the 50-minute journey to central Paris at under £14. Roissybus links the airport to the Paris Opera district, a 45-minute trip away. Tickets cost about £8 and services depart once each 15 minutes. Passengers can also take the 60-minute Noctilien Night Bus for around £6 or the Val d'Europe shuttle to Disneyland Paris for about £15.

Facilities

Terminals
Nearly 61 million passengers entered the three terminals of Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport in 2011. Most international flights enter the airport from the octopus-shaped Terminal 1, the oldest of the three terminals, while Terminal 2 mainly handles domestic flights. The smaller Terminal 3, nearly two miles from Terminal 1, is dedicated to low-budget and charter flights.

Parking
There are about 10 different car parks at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Short-term parking is free for the first 10 minutes, followed by £5 for the first hour up to £30 for parking periods of between six and 24 hours. Rates at the PR open-air car park are £3 for an hour, £20 for a 14 to 24-hour time period and £17 for each 24-hour parking period of up to seven days.

Wi-Fi
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport offers free wireless internet access for 15 minutes, but passengers can also purchase time cards online or at Relay stores. These time cards cost around £3.50 for an hour or £8 for a day pass.

Information Services
Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport information desks are situated on the Terminal 1 Arrivals and Departures levels, in the Terminal 3 Arrivals area and in the five halls throughout Terminal 2.

Useful Numbers
Terminals 1 and 3: +33 1 48 62 63 63
Terminals 2E and 2F: +33 1 48 62 21 07
Terminals 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D: +33 1 48 62 50 50

Accessibility
The closest parking places and cheapest permits at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport are reserved for disabled passengers. The airport's interior is filled with specially adapted wheelchairs, lifts, toilets and automatic ticket dispensers. Disabled passengers can seek assistance from information desks, but must let the airport know about any specific special requirements before arrival.

Restaurants and Bars
Paris is famous for its delicious cuisine and the food served at the dozens of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport restaurants is no exceptions to the rule. Whether visitors crave a French gourmet meal with a breathtaking runway view from one of the airport’s La Terrasse de Paris branches (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2B) or drink in the 1920s style Maxim’s Bar (Terminal 2F), they have no shortage of mainly French selections within this airport's three terminals.

VIP Lounges

Terminal 1:
Icare Lounge

Terminal 2A:
American Admiral's Club
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

Money and ATMs
There are no fewer than 23 Travelex currency exchanges and 25 ATMs throughout Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. A full service HSBC bank is open on weekdays and located between terminals D and F in the public area close to the TGV station.

Shopping
Passengers do not have to leave Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to enjoy the high quality shopping for which France's capital is so famous. A Galeries Lafayette department store is just one among dozens of shops situated throughout all three airport terminals, in both public areas and past passport control. Terminal 2 alone boasts no fewer than 20 duty-free shops filled with tax-free luxury items. L’Occitane and Virgin outlets are located in terminals 2 and 1.