j

Does anyone know which of these are easiest to get to for rental car pick-up & drop off? We're looking at Avis & Gare de L'est is closest to our hotel. We also need to get back to our hotel after dropping the car off, so easy public transportation would be a plus. Thank you!

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Christina

Can't help you on preferable rental spots, but all train stations in Paris have a metro and/or RER stop, so there shouldn't be any difference in public transportation. One might be more convenient to where you're going, but you didn't say where. Even if Gare de l'Est is closest to your hotel, if you plan on taking metro to your hotel, a few stops wouldn't make too much difference to me in those locations. Certainly, Gare de Lyon is farther away, and Gare du Nord only a stop away, but Nord station is a lot bigger then Gare de l'Est, so I'd choose Est if you have no other reason to go elsewhere. There are various bus lines, and if you're that close, walking of course. But it really depends exactly where your hotel is.

j

Thank you, Christina. We're staying at the Holiday Inn Republique at Place de la Republique. Sounds like Gare de l'est would be the least hectic place to go. Thanks again!<BR>

wes fowler

I think you should rethink your question! Public transportation from any of the train stations is comparable. Of more practical concern is the question of how easy is it to drive from and to the station of your choice prior to and following a day's journey. What are traffic patterns? Which are one-way streets? Am I planning driving trips north of Paris, to the east, south? What is the most direct routing to the Periphique and an exit from Paris?

j

We have to go back to the hotel to pick up my parents after getting the rental car. We are driving past Versailles & then to Chartres. When we come back, we'll drop my parents off at the hotel and then drop off the car. Gare de l'est appears to be only about a half mile from the hotel, but if you know of a reason that it's particularly awkward to go there, I'd like to hear it. <BR>Thanks again.<BR><BR>

Gregg G

Driving anywhere in Paris is a hassle, and unless you have perfect directions you will likely get lost. I just returned from Paris and picked up/returned my rental at Gare de Lyon. I was told this was the station with the easiest acess to the peripherique. Although we made it out of Paris OK, the return was a little awkward. We allowed an extra half hour and thankful we did. For your parents, I would use a taxi or escort them on the metro if possible. It may seem difficult, but you will save time this way. Otherwise you run the risk of getting lost in Paris and that will make for a bad experience. Gregg

janis

j: As Gregg says - it will be a HUGE hassle. Do not drive back to the hotel to fetch your folks. All of you take a taxi to the rental agency and leave directly from there. <BR><BR>Don't go to Gare Lyon - to the rental agency - back to the hotel (if you canfind it w/ all the one way streets) - and then fight your way out of the city.<BR><BR>Just all hop in a cab and go get the car together.

j

Thanks so much for the advice. We'll go together to pick up the car. I just read that one of the biggest traffic circles in Paris is where we're staying! I'm also checking into picking up the car outside of Paris. Thanks again.

Gretchen

Why don't you go to Chartres on the train?

clairobscur

Like Gretchen, I'm wondering why you intend to rent a car. If you're going to Chartres (or to Versailles, or to both), the train will be much more convenient, quick and less of a hassle (not to mention : cheaper).

j

Thanks for the replies. We might do that (just take the train), but also thought of driving into the Loire Valley after Chartres, perhaps to chateaudun(sp?) or as far as Chambord. We're going on a Monday, so Versailles won't be open. We'd like to see it from the outside.

ohoh

How long will you have this car? Are you talking about several days? If you are trying to do all this in one day...please don't. You can easily spend a full day in Chartres (both the town and the cathedral). Staying in the area over night could be lovely. I think exploring the more of the Loire valley would require another night's stay, too.

j

You're right; we just have the car for a day & we may never get farther than Chartres. My mother, who is traveling with us, has a troublesome knee. I thought if we couldn't do a lot of walking around, we'd have a nice drive through the countryside. If the knee is fine, we may walk around more. I probably am trying too much. It's hard to eliminate so many good things!

Gretchen

Take the train and then taxis in Chartres. I have driven in Paris and even those long years ago it was not ideal. Arrange to pick up the car on the side of Paris closest to Chartres at the Peripherique. This will save you hours I will bet and probably much in hassle time!! Take the Metro to the car rental--all of you--and leave and return to that point. Also be sure to make your rental arrangements in the US to save money.