Renting a car in France
Jul 17th, 2012, 05:28 AM
#21
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We had picked up rental car from Avis at Toulouse airport in 2006, and had no problems whatsover. We always prefer to rent from Avis wherever we go, we always buy excess insurance (which is non refundable) so that we would be fully covered even in the case of some minor damage to the car, and they never block money from our credit cards since we buy this additional insurance. They never charged us one extra cent. I like to book car and pay on line on booking online (with Avis uk you save money by not paying later at booking office).
I guess it would be easier for you to hire an automatic, since you you do not seem to be accustomed so much with the shift gear. They would be more expensive to hire, but it might make driving for you easier in the mountaineous or hilly areas. Make sure that you book automatic car in advance, so that it would be booked for you, booking is subject to if I remember well, with 48 hours needed for confirmation, regarding Avis.
As Fodorite suggested, use GPS and take maps with you (rental cars often provide you with maps of the country or region at pick-up, and do not go to accomodation that are too much out of the way or difficult to reach since you are going to be a solo traveller.
Fuel is not cheap anywhere in Europe. How much it will cost you depends on travel distances, how fast you drive, how much fuel car consumes, fees for using toll roads if you use major highways, etc. It is not the cheapest way to travel, but it surely gives you more freedom, is more convenient and gives you the opportunity to access so many places at your own leisure.
I guess it would be easier for you to hire an automatic, since you you do not seem to be accustomed so much with the shift gear. They would be more expensive to hire, but it might make driving for you easier in the mountaineous or hilly areas. Make sure that you book automatic car in advance, so that it would be booked for you, booking is subject to if I remember well, with 48 hours needed for confirmation, regarding Avis.
As Fodorite suggested, use GPS and take maps with you (rental cars often provide you with maps of the country or region at pick-up, and do not go to accomodation that are too much out of the way or difficult to reach since you are going to be a solo traveller.
Fuel is not cheap anywhere in Europe. How much it will cost you depends on travel distances, how fast you drive, how much fuel car consumes, fees for using toll roads if you use major highways, etc. It is not the cheapest way to travel, but it surely gives you more freedom, is more convenient and gives you the opportunity to access so many places at your own leisure.
Jul 17th, 2012, 09:02 AM
#22
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<i>As of right now, a 7 day rental picking up at and returning the vehicle at the train station in Toulouse, a Citroen C3 with a/c and manual transmission, including applicables taxes is $249.34 US. I find EBC still to be the cheapest way to rent a vehicle.</i>
That comes to $35 per day. I paid $415 for 18 days with Autoeurope (including extra fees) for a one-way rental, thus $18 per day, although a longer term rental might be cheaper on a per day basis, and the size car might make a difference (I had a Nissan Micra); but the CDW is carried by my credit card, which was not a problem the one time I did have minor damage to the car. AC is no longer an issue. I did not specify it and had it in all of my three rentals this summer, and I took the smallest and cheapest cars available.
That comes to $35 per day. I paid $415 for 18 days with Autoeurope (including extra fees) for a one-way rental, thus $18 per day, although a longer term rental might be cheaper on a per day basis, and the size car might make a difference (I had a Nissan Micra); but the CDW is carried by my credit card, which was not a problem the one time I did have minor damage to the car. AC is no longer an issue. I did not specify it and had it in all of my three rentals this summer, and I took the smallest and cheapest cars available.
Jul 17th, 2012, 09:37 AM
#23
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Thanks for helping me out choosing rental car company.
Question on bringing GPS from home. I found different GPS navigations system that I'd like to buy but I am now confused on which one is best to help me with my trip. I read good review on Garmin 1350 LMT but I am not sure if it has the latest France map. Should I purchase different France chip and uploaded it, and if so which brand is compatible with the devise?
Question on bringing GPS from home. I found different GPS navigations system that I'd like to buy but I am now confused on which one is best to help me with my trip. I read good review on Garmin 1350 LMT but I am not sure if it has the latest France map. Should I purchase different France chip and uploaded it, and if so which brand is compatible with the devise?
Jul 17th, 2012, 10:28 AM
#24
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Michael:
You stated that you rented a Nissan Micra. The car I suggested to java is a Citroen C3, which is somewhat larger than a Micra. I am 6'3" tall and have rented the Citroen with 2 friends who had more luggage than they should have brought. I had no trouble getting comfortable behind the steering wheel and the hatchback in the Citroen easily accommodated all of our luggage. Additionally, the average MPG I got while driving the Citroen with a diesel was about 57 mpg. I don't know what level of comfort java is looking for, but I'd take a Citroen C3 over a Micra anytime.
Just my thoughts on the subject...
You stated that you rented a Nissan Micra. The car I suggested to java is a Citroen C3, which is somewhat larger than a Micra. I am 6'3" tall and have rented the Citroen with 2 friends who had more luggage than they should have brought. I had no trouble getting comfortable behind the steering wheel and the hatchback in the Citroen easily accommodated all of our luggage. Additionally, the average MPG I got while driving the Citroen with a diesel was about 57 mpg. I don't know what level of comfort java is looking for, but I'd take a Citroen C3 over a Micra anytime.
Just my thoughts on the subject...
Jul 18th, 2012, 06:39 AM
#27
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java_2012,
Your question about the Garmin and up to date French maps is best answered by emailing Garmin. Some of their units come with free lifetime map updates so getting the info right from them would be the most accurate.
As to compatibility... only maps from Garmin are likely to work in a Garmin as maps from TomTom will work only for TomTom.
Your question about the Garmin and up to date French maps is best answered by emailing Garmin. Some of their units come with free lifetime map updates so getting the info right from them would be the most accurate.
As to compatibility... only maps from Garmin are likely to work in a Garmin as maps from TomTom will work only for TomTom.
Jul 18th, 2012, 06:39 AM
#28
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If you are not accustomed to driving a manual, I think I would pay the extra for an automatic unless you can borrow your friend's car for a while. I remember taking a manual car to college after practicing driving it for a weekend. I was in tears trying to parallel park it, not to mention starting from a stop on a hill.
Jul 18th, 2012, 07:17 AM
#29
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Depends... I drove a manual in Greece in 2008 after not owning one for 20 years and it was like riding a bike, aside from a sore
left knee at the end of the first day. I've bought 2 manual trans cars since.
left knee at the end of the first day. I've bought 2 manual trans cars since.
Jul 18th, 2012, 08:42 AM
#30
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My dilema is what to do with my car during the week I'm in Paris. Do not need the car in Paris nor do I want to deal with the car while there. Our trip originates in Bruselles so droping off the rental in Paris is pricey. Plus we will still need a car the rest of the month touring France. Any advise on getting around the drop off charge or what to do with the vehicle while in Paris? Had considered long term parking at one of the airports but not sure how wise or economical that would be. Perhaps best solution is to rent return the car and have a second rental when leaving Paris. Ideas??
Jul 18th, 2012, 08:50 AM
#32
Duke72: You don't need a car in Paris, you don't need one in Brussels, and you probably don't need one to get from Brussels to Paris (depends on where you are going in between)
Drop the car in Belgium (or when arriving in Paris) and rent a different car when you leave Paris.
Drop the car in Belgium (or when arriving in Paris) and rent a different car when you leave Paris.
Jul 18th, 2012, 09:35 AM
#34
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Flying into Brussels. Picking up rental and driving to Normandy, Mont St. Michel etc for first leg of trip. So the car is essential for setting my own schedule. Drving back to Belgium is back tracking but perhaps the best solution.
I will look at that as an alternative. Thanks!
I will look at that as an alternative. Thanks!
Jul 18th, 2012, 10:57 AM
#35
Hard to give good advice w/ only part of the picture. Your post made it sound like it was Belgium straight to Paris.
No need to drive back to Belgium, but it would save drop off fees.
But have you considered taking the train from Brussels (you don't need a car there) and collecting a car in France? Then rent another car when you leave Paris.
No need to drive back to Belgium, but it would save drop off fees.
But have you considered taking the train from Brussels (you don't need a car there) and collecting a car in France? Then rent another car when you leave Paris.
Jul 18th, 2012, 02:13 PM
#36
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<i>Flying into Brussels. Picking up rental and driving to Normandy, Mont St. Michel etc for first leg of trip. So the car is essential for setting my own schedule. Drving back to Belgium is back tracking but perhaps the best solution. </i>
Take the train over the border to Lille and pick up the car there. If renting by using Autoeurope or Kemwel as brokers, you should not have to pay a one-way fee within France.
Take the train over the border to Lille and pick up the car there. If renting by using Autoeurope or Kemwel as brokers, you should not have to pay a one-way fee within France.
Jul 18th, 2012, 04:23 PM
#37
I booked my rental from autoeurope.com last night:
Pick Up: Toledo, Spain on 10/22
Drop Off: Madrid, Spain on 10/2
Seat Ibiza or similar Economy (although their site says Compact), 4-door, A/C, manual
Total cost is $197.19 USD.
Just checked similiar rental on ebc.com, total price was $400.02 USD.
Pick Up: Toledo, Spain on 10/22
Drop Off: Madrid, Spain on 10/2
Seat Ibiza or similar Economy (although their site says Compact), 4-door, A/C, manual
Total cost is $197.19 USD.
Just checked similiar rental on ebc.com, total price was $400.02 USD.
