jgpapillon

We are flying from LAX to Paris on Air France in May. Our AF flight is supposed to arrive at terminal 2 E. We have rented a car with Hertz but the confirmation says to pick up the car at terminal 1. With luggages and a toddler it might not be easy to catch a shuttle to terminal 1.
Does anyone know if Hertz has shuttles at CDG like they do her in the states or are we depending on the airport shuttles to reach the rental counters? Is going to terminal 1 from terminal 2 E walking distance feasible with luggage and a 4 year old?
Also does anyone knows if there are car rental offices at terminal 2 E?
Thank you

tom_mn

No, it is absolutely not walking distance, maybe 1-1/2 miles.

There is a light rail train the connects the terminals, called CDG VAL. It's free. http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/docs/...l.jpg?sfvrsn=2

Also, you really need to speak French to return a car to terminal 1 because the return process is so convoluted (take a ticket, enter parking garage, drive to _______, put ticket into machine, arm goes up, drive to ___________etc, only signed in French).

Honestly I would rent from someone in terminal 2. Hertz has nearly always the highest price anyway.

greg

Terminal 2E to 1 is not a walking distance. I don't know if you are even allowed to walk. Look at the map http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en/pa.../terminals-map "view the full-size airport map."

The CDGVAL train is the shuttle that connects these stations. They are probably about two miles apart.

Also observe that terminal 2E is a complex of three different Halls: K, L, and M. If your plane lands at 2E Hall M. You take first shuttle to just to get to 2E Hall K. Pick up your luggage there and then you head to terminal 1 using yet another shuttle train, CDGVAL.

These trains are meant to be used by passengers with luggage many of who are traveling with children.

Robert2533

Contact Hertz to change the pickup location.

kerouac

There are at least two Hertz desks in terminal 2. I have no idea why you have been told to go to terminal 1.

jgpapillon

Thank you all for this great information. I will have to rethink the whole car thing and maybe take the TGV to Brittany and rent a car there. I was trying to avoid to have to take the RER and Metro to the Gare Montparnasse with our luggage to catch our train To Brittany. We can't take a taxi because we are not bringing a car seat with us.
out of curiosity how would I find out which car rental companies are at terminal 2?
I tried changing my car rental reservation but the price would double to do that.... I definitely need to cancel Hertz.
Thank you all for your information. It was very helpful.

tom_mn

Direct TGV trains leave CDG Terminal 2 for Rennes approx every hour, takes 3 hours. No need to head into Paris.

greg

You can find out what rental agencies are at CDG. Hertz is at terminal 2. http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/en/pa...r-rental/hertz

I think those counters are only for booking and you still have to pickup your key at Terminal 1.

I think taking a TGV is even more hassle than taking a CDGVAL shuttle train to Terminal 1 with what you have in tow. The CDGVAL is setup to accommodate those carrying several huge luggage and perhaps strollers. The TGV is setup for more mobile travelers.

tom_mn

The CDG VAL can be completely jammed, both the trains and the platforms.

AlessandraZoe

I would certainly take the CDG Terminal 2 train for Rennes option, saving your car rental for Rennes. It would make the most of your trip time and your overall energy.

kerouac

There is a huge lot of rental cars at terminal 2 in the space between terminals E and F. At terminal 1, the rental cars on the upper level of the parking structure that sits on top of the terminal.

I would drive from terminal 2 -- no waiting, no hassles, and you have all your stuff with you immediately. If you have to take a train from the CDG station or from Montparnasse, you will add hours of aggravation. However, if you are driving to Brittany, I hope you are planning on stopping at a reasonable intermediate point, because most people should not drive a whole lot after a lengthy flight from LAX.

jgpapillon

This is all great information again. We are going to Le Pouliguen (Loire Atlantique), so I think we will take the TGV a at Roissy (which seems to be only a few minutes away from Terminal 2 ) to Nantes then rent a car there to continue the rest of the journey. Kerouac offered a very sage advice, however I am one of the fortunate people who can sleep on a plane for hours on, so I will be rested when we land. I can also rest on the TGV. The other reason for nixing the car rental at Roissy is the high cost of dropping off a car at a different location than the one it was rented from.

Thank you to all who responded, the information is very helpful.

greg

Be sure you understand the TGV schedule to Nantes. I think there are only two TGVs per day that get you to Nantes without change.

kerouac

There is no one way drop off charge from Europcar, so no matter where you rent the car, don't think that you have to leave it at the same place.