Driving
Driving to Paris from much of Western Europe is very easy. As it is the cultural hub of France, Paris is also the transportation hub of the country where several major European highways converge. The city also has multiple periphery roads allowing travelers to avoid downtown while transiting from one side of the city to another.
My first trip to Paris, I decided to get a hotel outside the center of the city and drive to the hotel. Little did I know that traffic in and out of Paris can be very heavy at times. Also, there is little parking unless you have a motor scooter and want to park on the sidewalk like many Parisians. When I arrived, most of the parking garages were full, so I ended up driving around my hotel for an hour before I found a spot big enough for my rented Ford Focus station wagon...
My recommendation is to find parking on the edge of the city near a Subway station so you have easy access to the city. Another good option is to park in a neighboring city and take the RER train into Paris.
Once in the city, driving is very impractical. Traffic is heavy, there are many pedestrians and motor scooters, and you will not find parking. If you rely on walking and public transportation, you will do much better.



