Early Flight + Rental Car logistics in Provence
Feb 19th, 2015, 10:38 AM
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Early Flight + Rental Car logistics in Provence
Greetings FODOR'S community!
I am planning a trip to France with a few nights in Paris and the rest Provence (Avignon, Aix, Luberon, Marseille). 4 nights in Paris. 4 nights in St. Remy (or near). 3 nights in Marseille (or near).
My flight departs from MRS airport and is at 6:50A. At some point I will need to drop off my rental car. There are two scenarios in my head at the moment:
1) Stay in Marseille/Aix. Drop off car the day before flight. Take car service to MRS the morning of.
2) Stay in Cassis. Drive car to MRS, return rental, check-in to 6:50A flight.
Are these both "do-able"? I would love to stay in Cassis but the logistics just might be a little too difficult.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
I am planning a trip to France with a few nights in Paris and the rest Provence (Avignon, Aix, Luberon, Marseille). 4 nights in Paris. 4 nights in St. Remy (or near). 3 nights in Marseille (or near).
My flight departs from MRS airport and is at 6:50A. At some point I will need to drop off my rental car. There are two scenarios in my head at the moment:
1) Stay in Marseille/Aix. Drop off car the day before flight. Take car service to MRS the morning of.
2) Stay in Cassis. Drive car to MRS, return rental, check-in to 6:50A flight.
Are these both "do-able"? I would love to stay in Cassis but the logistics just might be a little too difficult.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Feb 19th, 2015, 11:24 AM
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1. IME, the one thing you don't want in Cassis is a car, unless i) you have lots of time to drive in circles around the downtown and ii) you're sure of a parking space at your destination.
My recent experiences -- mid-day, mid-week, in off season -- have been uniformly ghastly.
2. RE car rental return. If you need to refuel a car, you are not certain of finding a manned gas station at that hour. There is a station very close to the MRS terminal but I could not confirm its hours of operation.
Do you have a European bank card that would allow you to use one of the 24/7 pumps with automated payment? NA credit cards, even those with chips, likely will not work at those machines.
My recent experiences -- mid-day, mid-week, in off season -- have been uniformly ghastly.
2. RE car rental return. If you need to refuel a car, you are not certain of finding a manned gas station at that hour. There is a station very close to the MRS terminal but I could not confirm its hours of operation.
Do you have a European bank card that would allow you to use one of the 24/7 pumps with automated payment? NA credit cards, even those with chips, likely will not work at those machines.
Feb 19th, 2015, 11:55 AM
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Thanks tedgale. You are saying your experiences, off season in Cassis have been ghastly?
I'm thinking that we would have a parking spot for the car and use it to go to Marseille/Aix if need be (day trip), and then to MRS.
Very good point to consider regarding refueling.
I'm thinking that we would have a parking spot for the car and use it to go to Marseille/Aix if need be (day trip), and then to MRS.
Very good point to consider regarding refueling.
Feb 19th, 2015, 07:09 PM
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Yes, the drive to MRS from Aix/Marseille is roughly 25 minutes where as from Cassis I'm estimating to be closer to 50 minutes. From logistics standpoint it would be easier to stay in Aix/Marseille, however, I am intrigued by Cassis.
Feb 19th, 2015, 07:43 PM
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We stayed overnight in Marseille and took the bus from the St. Charles train station to airport. It takes just 12 minutes by bus and it very convenient.
http://www.marseille-airport.com/acc...station-centre
You could return your car a day Head, all refueled etc and then just take the bus.
Check into returning the car IN Marseille rather than at airport, it would be easier.
http://www.marseille-airport.com/acc...station-centre
You could return your car a day Head, all refueled etc and then just take the bus.
Check into returning the car IN Marseille rather than at airport, it would be easier.
Feb 20th, 2015, 02:42 AM
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Cassis is worth a visit - not for the town, which is unremarkable buy for the adjacent scenery: the Route des Cretes and the back road to Marseille.
It is not a good centre for touring the region because entry into the town and exit from town toward the motorway are slow and arduous.
The roads are small and twisty, with many one way streets. They are perpetually clogged with traffic, IME.
Maybe there was a time when this was not the case: I remember it as a delightful spot when I first visited it in June 1970. But today it is hellish for drivers.
The only place harder to get into and out of, IME, is St Tropez.
Three charming inland places we have stayed recently that were great for touring and that had access to MRS in under 45 minutes:
Lambesc;
Pelissanne;
Tarascon.
It is not a good centre for touring the region because entry into the town and exit from town toward the motorway are slow and arduous.
The roads are small and twisty, with many one way streets. They are perpetually clogged with traffic, IME.
Maybe there was a time when this was not the case: I remember it as a delightful spot when I first visited it in June 1970. But today it is hellish for drivers.
The only place harder to get into and out of, IME, is St Tropez.
Three charming inland places we have stayed recently that were great for touring and that had access to MRS in under 45 minutes:
Lambesc;
Pelissanne;
Tarascon.
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