They changed my flight! A day in Lyon without a car? Or Dijon?
Feb 15th, 2010, 05:17 AM
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They changed my flight! A day in Lyon without a car? Or Dijon?
Aaagh, just when you think you're getting there, you receive an email changing your flight!
We were meant to leave Venice at 3.40pm and now changed to 8am. Not only does this wipe out at least a good morning sightseeing in Venice, it also means our car hire arrangements in France are thrown out.
We were to land in Lyon late afternoon, drive to accomm at Noizeret/Couch, spend 3 days and end in Dijon where we return the car and catch a train to Paris.
I don't really want to pay an extra day car hire, so are we better to try and stow our luggage (somewhere) and have a day in Lyon without a car until that afternoon? Or pick up the car earlier, and return it earlier, therefore having a day in Dijon without a car?
Which is the best way to go? Pls let me know as I may need to contact the car rental company. Thanks
We were meant to leave Venice at 3.40pm and now changed to 8am. Not only does this wipe out at least a good morning sightseeing in Venice, it also means our car hire arrangements in France are thrown out.
We were to land in Lyon late afternoon, drive to accomm at Noizeret/Couch, spend 3 days and end in Dijon where we return the car and catch a train to Paris.
I don't really want to pay an extra day car hire, so are we better to try and stow our luggage (somewhere) and have a day in Lyon without a car until that afternoon? Or pick up the car earlier, and return it earlier, therefore having a day in Dijon without a car?
Which is the best way to go? Pls let me know as I may need to contact the car rental company. Thanks
Feb 15th, 2010, 05:49 AM
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I enjoyed 3 days in Lyon 2 years ago. With the flight change I would "stow" the luggage and spend part of the day touring Lyon. Consider the old city, the Tissue Museum or the Resistance museum. As in so many French cities there are a number of excellent restaurants to enjoy a leisurely lunch before returning for your luggage and car hire.
Good luck,
Good luck,
Feb 15th, 2010, 06:00 AM
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Option 1: You take the bus from the airport into Lyon Centre, spend a couple of hours in Lyon, rent the car in Lyon Centre and drive to Noizeret (2 hours). Timewise, the best option, but you have to take your baggage with you.
Option 2: You take the bus into downtown and the bus back to the aiport, rent the car at the aiport and drive to Noizeret. You can leave your baggage at the airport. Convenient, but rather time-consuming and not inexpensive, since you have to buy return tickets (15.80€ p.p.).
Option 3: You rent your car at the airport, drive into Lyon center, park the car on a parking-lot or in a parking-garage, visit Lyon and proceed to Noizeret. After your time in Bourgogne, you drop your car in Dijon in the morning and visit Dijon on foot (easily doable). This is easy, since the TGV station Dijon-Ville is right in the center of the city. IMO, the best option, since you do need a car in Dijon anyway.
Option 2: You take the bus into downtown and the bus back to the aiport, rent the car at the aiport and drive to Noizeret. You can leave your baggage at the airport. Convenient, but rather time-consuming and not inexpensive, since you have to buy return tickets (15.80€ p.p.).
Option 3: You rent your car at the airport, drive into Lyon center, park the car on a parking-lot or in a parking-garage, visit Lyon and proceed to Noizeret. After your time in Bourgogne, you drop your car in Dijon in the morning and visit Dijon on foot (easily doable). This is easy, since the TGV station Dijon-Ville is right in the center of the city. IMO, the best option, since you do need a car in Dijon anyway.
Feb 15th, 2010, 06:06 AM
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Hi Ber,
It doesn;t matter if you have a day in Lyon or a day in Dijon without a car. They are both good cities for walking in.
Lyon has a good Metro/bus system.
See my report for details on Lyon:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm
Enjoy your visit.
It doesn;t matter if you have a day in Lyon or a day in Dijon without a car. They are both good cities for walking in.
Lyon has a good Metro/bus system.
See my report for details on Lyon:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-europe.cfm
Enjoy your visit.
Feb 15th, 2010, 07:16 AM
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Both cities are very enjoyable places to spend the day.
I think Dijon would be the most "efficient" option, however. You would just head to Burgundy after you land (as planned). At the end of your Burgundy trip, you would drop the car at the train station rental office in Dijon, stow your bags at the rental office (we did that once), and spend the remainder of the day in Dijon. Really, this is no change in your France itinerary.
Stu Dudley
I think Dijon would be the most "efficient" option, however. You would just head to Burgundy after you land (as planned). At the end of your Burgundy trip, you would drop the car at the train station rental office in Dijon, stow your bags at the rental office (we did that once), and spend the remainder of the day in Dijon. Really, this is no change in your France itinerary.
Stu Dudley
Feb 15th, 2010, 08:34 AM
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I also agree that it doesn't make any difference whether you spend a day in Lyon or Dijon without a car, of course you don't want a car when visiting a major city, anyway.
From your schedule, though, which is a little confusing to me, it sounds like your day in Lyon without a car would mean you wouldn't know what to do with your luggage all day. In which case, it would be easier to do it in Dijon if that wouldn't be a complication, There is more than enough to do in either city.
From your schedule, though, which is a little confusing to me, it sounds like your day in Lyon without a car would mean you wouldn't know what to do with your luggage all day. In which case, it would be easier to do it in Dijon if that wouldn't be a complication, There is more than enough to do in either city.
Feb 15th, 2010, 08:37 AM
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I'm trying to figure out your options and maybe you would have the luggage problem in either city? In which case, just choose the one you want to see most. I don't know what you plan to do with your luggage. I don't remember if they have lockers in either train station, maybe they both do, but in that regard I'd bet more on Lyon as it is bigger.
Feb 15th, 2010, 09:20 AM
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>>you would have the luggage problem in either city?<<
Like I stated, we returned our car early on a Saturday at the EuropCar office at the Dijon train station. We left our luggage at the rental office, where they watched it for us. Then we spent several hours visiting Dijon, returned to the rental office & retrieved our luggage, then hopped on the train to Paris. Very easy......
Stu Dudley
Like I stated, we returned our car early on a Saturday at the EuropCar office at the Dijon train station. We left our luggage at the rental office, where they watched it for us. Then we spent several hours visiting Dijon, returned to the rental office & retrieved our luggage, then hopped on the train to Paris. Very easy......
Stu Dudley
Feb 15th, 2010, 10:07 PM
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Thank you so much for letting me know all the (admittedly good) options.
Perhaps the train station in Dijon will book our luggage in early (TGV) so we are free to wander? Or as suggested perhaps the car rental (Alamo) will hang on to our bags until the afternoon.
So maybe pick up the car in Lyon early.
There may be still be time to enjoy Lyon if we find parking, so both will be seen.
Many thanks!
Perhaps the train station in Dijon will book our luggage in early (TGV) so we are free to wander? Or as suggested perhaps the car rental (Alamo) will hang on to our bags until the afternoon.
So maybe pick up the car in Lyon early.
There may be still be time to enjoy Lyon if we find parking, so both will be seen.
Many thanks!
Feb 16th, 2010, 06:38 AM
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The train luggage situation is not like airplane luggage. You are responsible for loading & storing your luggage on the TGV. There is no "check baggage" service for trains. It is sometimes catch-as-catch-can with not enough room for everyones bags. I've seen luggage "heaped" around the doorways - blocking people's exit. The TGV itself may only arrive at the station a few minutes before it departs.
Look for lockers at the station (if any), or store your bags with your rental office (make sure the office is open at the time you want to retrieve your bags).
Lyon is a difficult city to drive into. Dijon is easier, plus you don't need parking in Dijon.
Stu Dudley
Look for lockers at the station (if any), or store your bags with your rental office (make sure the office is open at the time you want to retrieve your bags).
Lyon is a difficult city to drive into. Dijon is easier, plus you don't need parking in Dijon.
Stu Dudley
