We are traveling from Paris to Annecy area in early June by train. We then plan to rent a car to spend a
week + btw there and the Italian Aosta Valley. Any help on rentals for price? We have heard that near train stations is more $ and Annecy is a pretty main tourist area so we thought maybe we should get off the train to rent in a town bf Annecy? Also will there be a problem driving from France to Italy? We would welcome lodging info in Annecy or near Aosta that is close but not right in crowded tourist spots.
Posted by
Paris
7301 posts
In smaller French cities, the train station is usually the only convenient place to rent a car anyway.
You do not need a car to visit Annecy itself, it is only useful for touring around the lake, so I would just pick up the car in Annecy once you need it, possibly saving a day of rental if you choose to sleep in Annecy itself. It is the most convenient option.
Now, coming from Paris by train, you could stop at Lyon-Saint Exupéry, Chambéry, or Aix-Les-Bains and rent a car there, too, but I would do so only if it is much cheaper. I suggest you get a few quotes from a broker (like Auto Europe) or a rental co. (like Avis or Hertz), and compare. Lyon Saint-Exupéry could have good deals because there is more competition, but the car rental places are a 10-15 minute walk away from the station, or you have to walk 5 minutes to the airport terminal and take the rental car shuttle there.
Driving from France to Italy is not a problem, you should just inform the rental company but there should be no extra cost. The Mont-Blanc tunnel toll is expensive but there is a cheaper 7-day round trip deal if you stay less that 7 days in Italy: ask for it at the toll booth!
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thanks so much
Posted by
California 🦋
5293 posts
My daughter and I enjoyed our stay at the Ibis Annecy Centre Vieille Ville which is conveniently located down the street from the train station (on Rue de la Gare)
Make sure you choose the right one because there are others in the area.
Our room was small and clean with comfortable beds, and the best part was that it faced a cascade by the river so we were lulled to sleep each night.
We didn’t drive to Annecy but I recall a large parking lot below the hotel (you may want to confirm this if you’ll have a car)
Hopefully you’re there during market days which we throughly enjoyed.
Annecy is beautiful, enjoy!