JudyADenver

Our trip plans to Spain and France for May, 2007 just got more complicated. We will fly from Barcelona to Bilbao and rent a car. I presumed we could keep the car for a week and return it to the train station in La Rochelle, France. Now I have learned that the drop fees are between $1,000-$2000!

Here are a few my ideas:
rent a car Bilbao, return to San Sebastian train station. Take train, taxi (preferrably not a bus) to Hendaye then 4.5 hour train to La Rochelle (connecting in Bordeaux), rent a car in La Rochelle at the train station.

OR rent a car Bilbao, return to San Sebastian train station. Take train to Biarritz, rent car and drive to La Rochelle.

Both of these options avoid a drop fee. Is it difficult to get from San Sebastian to Hendaye or Biarritz? Should we take the train all of the way to La Rochelle or drive from Biarritz?

I sure would appreciate some comments. This drop charge has really thrown a wrench in my plans. Thanks

hopscotch

Train service from San Sebastian to Hendaye is by the Eusko Tren company. It costs €1.35. It is more of a metro or subway type train, and has beautiful classical music on board.

In San Sebastian the Eusko station is about a mile from the main station. In Hendaye it is about 50 yards. Service about every half hour. Don't even ask about reservations.

This is a good way to get over the border. I did it a couple of times. Maybe you can rent another car in Hendaye?

Robert2533

The EuskoTran is a good option, but there is also a regular bus service between Donostia-San Sebastian and the stations in Hendaye/Biarritz. If you want, you can also take a taxi and be there is about 30 minutes.

http://www.euskotren.es/euskotran/ht...ish/index.html

ekscrunchy

We just took the Euskotren from San Sebastian to Hendaye; simple. As noted, there is also a bus; we took this bus from Bayonne to San Sebastian and stopped in Biarritz en route. Both options are easy and cheap.

www.pesa.net

JudyADenver

Thanks to everyone for your ideas. We have decided to drive to Biarritz and rent a second car then return the Spanish car the same day. That way we can avoid trains, buses or taxis and save the most time. When we get in the morning in San SEbastian, we will have our French car and can drive directly to our destination of La Rochelle. Europcar and AutoEurope charge an additional 240 E if a car is picked up in Biarritz and not returned to the same location. Thankfully, Hertz, however, does not charge this fee.