Car Rental at Nimes Train Station
Jan 19th, 2014, 09:21 PM
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Car Rental at Nimes Train Station
We are renting a house near Sommieres in Languedoc in June, and Nimes is a closer station than Avignon. I "know the drill" at the Avignon station and am just wondering if the car rentals in Nimes are as easily accessible for me and my husband, who has mobility issues. We will rent through AutoEurope. If it's a more complex physical situation at Nimes, I'd just as soon rent at Avignon and drive the extra distance. Anyone familiar with the setup at Nimes gare? Thanks for any opinions, advice.
Jan 19th, 2014, 10:22 PM
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As you ask, I shouldn´t recommend either. Avignon is way too far away and I have always found Nîmes difficult driving. However, much of their endless road construction is now probably over and things may have settled down.
I would take the TGV to Montpellier, take the tramway in front of the station south to the Europcar office on rue Bugatti. This serves two purposes: it eliminates the 40€ location surcharge you will be paying for a train station pickup (this charge is not included in your AE quote) and this office is next to A9 which I would take to reach Sommières.
The exact route would be A9 to the N113 cutoff, then N113 to D65, to D610. It probably sounds more complicated than it is really but a quick glance at a map makes it quite clear.
If you did use the Nîmes station, you would most likely still follow N113 from the east rather than the west anyway. I just find Montpellier much easier and I drive through both of this towns quite regularly.
I would take the TGV to Montpellier, take the tramway in front of the station south to the Europcar office on rue Bugatti. This serves two purposes: it eliminates the 40€ location surcharge you will be paying for a train station pickup (this charge is not included in your AE quote) and this office is next to A9 which I would take to reach Sommières.
The exact route would be A9 to the N113 cutoff, then N113 to D65, to D610. It probably sounds more complicated than it is really but a quick glance at a map makes it quite clear.
If you did use the Nîmes station, you would most likely still follow N113 from the east rather than the west anyway. I just find Montpellier much easier and I drive through both of this towns quite regularly.
Jan 20th, 2014, 09:19 PM
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Thanks, both of you. Problem is that my husband uses handicapped services on SNCF (uses their wheelchair) and travels with a wheeled walker so the tramway in Montpellier would not work. In Avignon last fall there were 5 of us so some walked to car rental and some waited outside the station with luggage, etc. This time it's just the two of us so presenting more of a problem. In all my trips to France, I have never driven a car, and I am anxious about getting the car and finding my way back to where he might be. If the rental cars are under the station, maybe the handicapped services would even push the wheelchair there. They were extremely helpful at all the stations in Oct. Nothing but the best things to say about that service that the SNCF provides.
Fortunately, for the return trip, our adult kids will be with us.
I know that traffic in Nimes can be terrible, but my husband will be driving once he gets in the car.
If anyone can think of a simpler scenario than I have come up with, please advise. And thank you again, Sarastro and Stu.
Fortunately, for the return trip, our adult kids will be with us.
I know that traffic in Nimes can be terrible, but my husband will be driving once he gets in the car.
If anyone can think of a simpler scenario than I have come up with, please advise. And thank you again, Sarastro and Stu.
