Car rental near Dijon - is automatic tran possible?
 

I'm trying to track down an automatic transmission vehicle for rental from Dijon, and from Montbard would be even better(though not expected).<BR><BR>I've had conflicting information through websites; the SCNF-voyages.com site - powered by Expedia - showed a Mercedes available through Europcar, then when I contacted Europcar directly they said there are no automatics available in Dijon at all. <BR><BR>The website rentacar-Europe.com - powered by NOVA - also showed such a car available through Europecar - but it wasn't true. <BR><BR>Anybody know if there's a way to rent an automatic in Dijon? $$ isn't a problem, my friends do not want to drive in and back into Paris.

Hi,<BR> It looks as if you might have to rent a standard transmission car here and learn how to drive it.<BR> Might be cheaper, too.

Have you tried AutoEurope (www.autoeurope.com/1-800-223-5555)? I've never rented an automatic (they're a lot more expensive), but if anyone can help you I bet AutoEurope can.

I talked with autoeurope today about renting a compact car pickup in Dijon and drop off in Paris. Apparently, Dijon is a smaller office with less offerings, for example, no compact size cars. There would also have been an extra fee for having a different dropoff point. They suggested I pick up in Beaune instead. I don't see Montbard on my little map of France so I don't if Beaune is far from there or not, but it might be worth a try. Good luck!

I only drive an automatic. We spend a lot of time in Provence and environs with narrow roads and many traffic circles.<BR><BR>After a bad experience with Avis we switched to Hertz and have never been disappointed. You might inquire where the nearest Hertz to Dijon is. <BR><BR>One caution, they always seem to have huge automatics available, often at the same price as compacts, but with the attendant navigation problems.<BR><BR>Ask for an automatic, Peugeot 307 class or similar and get a confirmation. <BR><BR>Good luck!

There are three rental car locations in Dijon, the largest is probably at the train station. They undoubtedtedy have auto transmission cars available. Try Auto Europe as suggested.

Rdtripper: I tried to rent an automatic in Dijon. It was much more expensive and there is no guarantee that it will be available when you arrive. Are you arriving from a canal cruise to Monbard? We are booked on Continental Waterways from May 3-9 possibly ending at Montbard and are going to Dijon from there.

Hi everyone: thanks for your advice. Hertz and Auto Europe both told me no automatics are available in Dijon. I didn't call Avis yet; their website shows no automatics in Dijon either. <BR><BR>So, I ask you all for further advice: If we rent our automatic car in Paris, with the intention of getting out of town ASAP and into the countryside (heading to a Chateau in Montbard northwest of Dijon), where might be the best place to rent from, in terms of ease of access? Gare de Lyon? Any thoughts are appreciated.

cls2paris: Your information on AutoEurope d&oacute;esn't seem accurate - they never charge for dropping off in a different place in France from the place you pick up. And I can't believe they couldn't find you a compact. I checked the website and they have compacts galore available in three different locations in Dijon - and no fee for dropping off in Paris. It must have been some other company you were speaking with.<BR><BR>RdTripper: the Gare de Lyon would be pretty straightforward - you could hop over to the Avenue Daumesnil and go straight out the Porte d'Or&eacute;e or hop over to the Quai de la Rap&eacute;e (which turns into the Quai de Bercy) and out the Porte de Bercy, then follow the signs to the A5 south.

cls2paris: Your information on AutoEurope d�esn't seem accurate - they never charge for dropping off in a different place in France from the place you pick up. And I can't believe they couldn't find you a compact. I checked the website and they have compacts galore available in three different locations in Dijon - and no fee for dropping off in Paris. It must have been some other company you were speaking with.<BR><BR>RdTripper: the Gare de Lyon would be pretty straightforward - you could hop over to the Avenue Daumesnil and go straight out the Porte d'Or�e or hop over to the Quai de la Rap�e (which turns into the Quai de Bercy) and out the Porte de Bercy, then follow the signs to the A5 south.

St. Cirq - I was talking about Autoeurope. I tried to book a compact from the website and could only get a quote for economy or mid-size. I called their customer service and I was told that Dijon was a smaller office for them and the selection is not as good. Also, that Dijon was one of 3 cities in France that charge an extra fee if you pick up but don't drop off there. I was surprised as well. The guy I talked to was very helpful and got everything set up for me. I was also surprised to learn that their free upgrade offer which ended on 3/31, did not cover an upgrade from economy to compact. In France you could upgrade from compact to mid-size, or compact to compact station wagon. I was disappointed about that also.

Hmmmm...I did go back on the AutoEurope website and this time noticed that there is a caveat that says there may be an extra fee, but since I wasn't actually going to pay for a rental, and since they say they won't be able to tell you what the extra fee is until you've &quot;offered payment,&quot; I didn't follow up. They had no trouble offering me a compact car, though - at least on the website. Ayway, it's a moot point since you clearly got pretty much what you needed (and you might just be surprised - I almost always get offered an upgrade on the spot when I pick up cars in P&eacute;rigueux).Bonne route!