Where can you park cheaply in Paris city centre? And is it possible to park for free in Paris city center or near the Eiffel Tower? This article contains the best tips for parking in Paris and reserving a suitable parking space, in the centre or in the airports like Charles de Gaulle, Orly or Beauvais-Tillé. Free parking spaces in Paris are very popular and paid parking is expensive. Especially if you have to park for a long time in Paris. Parking on the outskirts or just outside the center and then taking the metro is always cheaper. Once in Paris, it is better to leave the car in an underground car park or car park and take the metro or bus for all other journeys. You can of course also choose to travel with the FlixBus to Paris or the Eurostar (Thalys) train to Paris.
Park your car at one of the airports in Paris? Paris has three international airports: Charles de Gaulle, Orly and Beauvais-Tillé (airport near Paris). For a long time, Orly was the airport in Paris with the highest volume of passenger aircraft, before it was replaced by the newer Charles de Gaulle airport.
We often drive to Paris by car and always use www.parclick.com, an independent parking website that looks for the best parking spaces & rates in Paris. They also have a handy app. Tip? Book your parking in Paris in advance to avoid inconveniences. Discover our tips for cheap parking in Paris and how to find the best car parks. We also tell you where you can best park at the Eiffel Tower. A question we often get. Good luck reserving the ideal car park in Paris.
• Fun to do: Paris Seine River Cruise by Bateaux Mouches (1h) →
1. Parking in Paris city centre: street parking or parking garage
We do not recommend parking on the street in the center of Paris (on average €5 per hour). It is not really cheap and you can only park your car for a limited number of hours. Moreover, the Parisians often park bumber to bumber, so you could be faced with surprises.
Long term parking in Paris? Then we prefer a parking garage in the center of Paris or just outside the city to take the metro (where you can often park cheaper). Book your reservation in advance, which is often cheaper. What are the costs? Count on about 25 € per day for a day of parking. The underground car parks in Paris are open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
2. Parking outside the center of Paris near the metro
Parking outside the city or the center of Paris is often a lot cheaper. You can use www.parclick.com or the Park & Ride car parks and then take the metro or bus to the center of Paris.
3. Find a car park near the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is one of the most visited attractions in the world and parking at the Eiffel Tower is obviously not easy. Parking near the Eiffel Tower is often expensive and parking facilities are limited. It is therefore advisable to reserve a parking space in advance or you can also consider traveling by bus or metro.
If you would still like to park near the Eiffel Tower, you can do so, for example, in the parking garage ‘Tour Eiffel Castorama’ or ‘Parking Saemes Quai Branly – Tour Eiffel’. Check Parclick.com for rates and availability.
4. Parking at the airports Charles de Gaulle, Orly or Beauvais-Tillé
– Parking at Charles De Gaulle airport (CDG)
Charles de Gaulle is the largest airport in France (and one of the largest in Europe), located northeast of the city centre. CDG is about 35-45 minute drive from Gare du Nord train station and can be accessed by train (RER) and bus lines. Several parking lots, including short-term and long-term options.
• Car parks Charles de Gaulle on Parclick.com →
– Parking at Orly airport (ORY)
Orly is a much smaller airport than Charles de Gaulle, it handles both domestic, European, and international flights. Less hectic than Charles de Gaulle. Located just south of the city, ORY is about 55 minute drive to Gare du Nord. The station is also easily accessible by train and metro from the city centre.
• Car parks Orly Airport on Parclick.com →
– Parking at Beauvais-Tillé airport (BVA)
Beauvais-Tillé is the budget airport of Paris, about 80 km form Paris. This airport has a reputation for poor customer service, stressful lines, and airline staff enforcing the many nickel and dime policies of Ryanair and Wizz Air. A smaller airport where parking facilities are generally more straightforward. There are parking lots close to the terminal for both short-term and long-term parking.
• Car parks Beauvais-Tillé Airport on Parclick.com →
5. Where can you park for free in the center of Paris
On Sundays you can park for free in the center of Paris. In general, parking is paid from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is also possible to park for free in certain streets in Paris during public holidays (presence of a yellow dot on the parking meter indicating this).
Until 2021 you could also find free parking in the Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne, but this has now also become paying. Only 2.5% of all parking spaces in the streets of Paris are free. In our opinion, an underground car park in Paris remains the best choice. Your car is also a lot safer in Paris in a parking garage.
6. Cheap parking in Paris: some useful tips
A good tip for cheap parking in Paris and for finding a suitable parking space in Paris? For locations and rates of parking garages and car parks in Paris, go to www.parclick.nl. Parclick Paris is a handy parking website (they also have an app) to park as quickly and cheaply as possible in Paris. This website will look for the best parking garages in the vicinity of your hotel. It is possible to reserve your parking space in advance at no extra cost. And you can also cancel for free up to one hour before arrival. Their website is also very user-friendly and clear.
One last tip for cheap parking in Paris? Park your car on the outskirts of the city (just outside the center) in Paris and simply take the metro to the center from here. So make sure you choose a parking in Paris close to a metro station.
Parking in the center of Paris (city center) is not too bad. Be sure to book your parking or parking garage in Paris in advance. We often travel by car to Paris. So, you’re ready for carefree parking in Paris. Have fun in Paris.
Frequently asked questions about the best cheap parkings in Paris
We prefer to look for a safe parking garage in the center of Paris or just outside the city (where you can often park cheaper). We think this is the best choice. Book your parking in Paris preferably in advance, because that is often cheaper. We do not recommend parking on the street in Paris (on average € 5 per hour) as it is very expensive and less safe. Check Parclick.com for rates and availability of car parks in Paris.
On Sundays you can park for free in Paris. In general, it is paid parking on the street from Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. During public holidays it is possible to park for free in certain streets in Paris: the presence of a yellow dot on the parking meter indicates this. You also have a number of free parking facilities on the outskirts of the city or just outside the center (also gradually disappearing completely). From there, take public transport to continue your journey to the center of Paris.
Street parking in the center of Paris costs an average of €5 per hour and is therefore very expensive. For a day of parking in an underground car park you can count on around € 25 to € 30 per day. These car parks in Paris are open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
Do you want to park cheaply in Paris? Then park a little further from the center and take public transport to travel to the center. There are also a number of P+R parking spaces that are well connected to the metro lines in Paris and are usually cheaper than the parking options in the center
Parking near the Eiffel Tower is expensive and parking spaces are limited. Still want to park near the Eiffel Tower? This is possible, for example, in the parking garages 'Tour Eiffel Castorama' or 'Parking Saemes Quai Branly – Tour Eiffel'. Check Parclick.com for rates and availability.
Parking outside the city or the center of Paris is often a lot cheaper. You can use the Park & Ride car parks and then take the metro or bus to the center of Paris.
