Getting Your Rental Car Straight Off the Plane
Both of Paris’s main airports offer well-organised car rental facilities, so you can be on the road within an hour of landing. Understanding the layout before you arrive saves time and reduces the stress of navigating a busy terminal with luggage in tow.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
CDG is France’s largest airport, spread across three terminals. The rental desks for most major companies are located in Terminal 2, in the dedicated Car Rental Centre accessible by a free shuttle bus from all arrival halls. Follow the «Location de voitures» signs as soon as you exit baggage claim — they lead you directly to the shuttle stop. Journey time to the Car Rental Centre is around five minutes. Collection is fast when you book in advance and have your documents ready.
- Terminal 1: shuttle to Car Rental Centre, approximately 8 minutes
- Terminal 2 (A–F): shuttle from ground floor, clearly signposted
- Terminal 3 (low-cost): follow pedestrian signs to shuttle area
Orly Airport
Orly is smaller and easier to navigate. The rental desks sit in a shared counter area on the ground floor of the main terminal building, reachable on foot from both the Ouest and Sud arrival zones within a few minutes. No shuttle is required at Orly — a straightforward walk through the terminal brings you straight to the counters. Vehicle pick-up bays are located in the adjacent covered car park.
Documents to Have Ready
Speed up your collection by preparing the essentials before you reach the desk. You will need a full driving licence held for at least one year, a credit card in the main driver’s name (debit cards are often refused), your booking reference, and your passport or national ID. Non-EU licence holders should carry an International Driving Permit as some operators require it. Presenting all documents in one go avoids back-and-forth and gets you on the road faster.
Both airports operate 24-hour rental desks on most days, but hours can vary by operator. Confirm your supplier’s opening times before booking a very early or very late flight, and always opt for after-hours return options if your return flight lands outside business hours.
