azresptech

I'm in the very early planning stages for a trip to France and Italy in 2008. At this point thought is to fly into and out of Paris, having a 3 nights in Paris at the end of 21 days. I also want to visit Annecy and Avignon in France. I would like to visit Florence, Parma,and Pisa. Including the Cinque Terre in this loop is a must. Rome is an option but may not be feasable. We will have about 10 to 12 days in Italy. Where would be our best choice to pick up and drop off a rental car, with a connection to high speed or intercity train service for our next stop in either Avignon or Annecy France? Maybe with an overnight train trip? Do rental car agencies in Italy charge fees for dropping off at a location other than the pickup? Or would we be better off picking up the car in Anncey and dropping off in Avignon? Flying into Rome and out of Paris is also an option. I know this is vague, but I'm searching for ideas. Thanks for your help.

Michael

Compare car rental costs in France and in Italy. It may be cheaper to do a loop starting in France, maybe starting in Annecy, going through the tunnel du Mont Blanc or whichever other Alpine crossing appeals to you, and returning the car in Avignon. If renting from France, check if you can take the car to Italy without extra insurance. If you have a Visa Gold or Platinum card, decline all extra insurance, the card will cover you--read your card agreement in that respect.

http://www.kemwel.com/

http://www.carrentalexpress.com/inte...tal-europe.htm

http://www.autoeurope.com/

azresptech

Michael, Thank you. I hadn't thought about my CC covering insurance in Europe. I will read my agreement. My Capital One account is geared towards foreign travel, so it may save me some money. Do you know if rentals in France add drop off charges? This might be a great way to go even if they do.

Michael

I do not know if you have drop=off charges. Renting from the agencies I listed wil give you a final price minus the local tax which is minimal in France. You could always see what the cost would be with a round-trip compared to a one way. At any rate, dropping off the car in Italy would incur a heavy cross-border charge.

ira

Hi AZ,

>Do you know if rentals in France add drop off charges?<

It's been my experience that you can rent in one city and drop off in another ** in the same country ** without extra charge.

Airports and train stations have added fees.

Check www.autoeurope.com, www.novacarhire.com and www.gemut.com.

Michael

Take Ira's extra fee comment to heart: I stayed near the Nice train station and intended to pick up the car there until I discovered that the extra fee would be the equivalent of a day's rental. That was worth the walk to the dowtown office.

bobthenavigator

Rent the car in France and return it in France---Avignon is the obvious choice to me.

azresptech

Wow, thank you all for your replies. I'm thinking the Avignon idea sounds the best, as long as there is no problem taking the vehicle into Italy. I'll check out Michelin to get some ideas on drive times.

Michael

I would rent in Annecy only because it would give me the opportunity to see the high Alps while driving to Italy. Besides, why pay for the train fare to Avignon when you will be ending your trip there?