Traffic in Paris?
 

What is the traffic like in Paris? Should I drive like the locals (which I heard was wild). Or should I drive like an American. Or should I even drive at all? If not what should I use for transportation?

<BR>Don't drive. No need. You can walk to most sites or public transportation is easy and inexpensive.<BR>You'll have a real hassle trying to find a parking space also.

If you drive like an American, the Parisian drivers will let you know about it. Get ready for lights flashing at you, horns honking, even a few gestures. <BR><BR>I don't think it is wild; it is just crowded and very fast. The drivers are good; if they were not there would be a <BR>wreck every 10 seconds.<BR><BR>I used to drive in DC. I would not drive in Paris.<BR>Besides, parking is an art.<BR>And I don't know the rules!!<BR>

Agree w/John: don't drive in Paris-unless you want alot more stress on your vacation. Walking is the best thing or taking the metro and bus or even a taxi, but do not drive.

Hey, it took is one hour to go three blocks. one car got thru the lights every change of green to green. Lots of yelling...one guy kept leaping up thru his moonroof and screaming...finally tried to drive around the snarl by driving on the sidewalk...thought he was going to have apoplexy!

I would give it a miss. After my visit in December we were amazed that there were no line in the road and the roundabouts were insane. In the UK and Ireland people already on the roundabout to the right of you have the right of way. In parie people coming onto the roundabout have the right of way and it is chaos. We took a taxi across town to get the Ryanair bus and we asked about driving in Paris. He said there were so many accidents and road deaths and that you have to be a little crazy to drive in Paris...he said he was nuts! Very funny guy but he was right.

nikecool is posting elsewhere here today, asking...let's say,prickly, questions about Paris.<BR>Makes me wonder if this is National Troll Day or just related to spring break.<BR>

Hi<BR> I believe that Paris has something called the Metro. You might wish to look it up.

I've driven in Paris, New York (learned how to drive in the evening under the elevated) and Mexico City among others. It's manageable but not advised because you have to pay attention to the road and traffic. If you are a tourist, there are other street sights that are more interesting. On the other hand, picking up a car in Paris on the day you leave the city is not that bad.

I have to agree with the others who say don't drive in Paris. Last June, I had a car in Paris to transport my brother in a wheelchair, and the driving didn't bother me nearly as much as trying to park! There absolutely are not enough parking places for the cars in Paris, so you end up much further from the places you want to be than if you had taken the Metro. Frequently, I had to drop my brother off with his wheelchair, then park and walk back. I had no choice, since the Metro is not wheelchair accessible(except for line 14).<BR><BR>A car is fine for travel outside the city, and the roads are great. Enjoy your trip.

Driving in the city? Take a valuim and close one eye, pray and go for it! Yikes! Worse then New York, LA or Atlanta!<BR>Outside the city...it's nice. Enjoy.

A British friend of mine (who thinks nothing about driving in London) calls Paris a &quot;two-Valium&quot; city when it comes to driving.<BR><BR>Take the Metro.