We are renting a car in Nice and then returning it in Lyon three weeks later. Any advice about how easy it is to rent at these locations or particular companies. We need automatic transmission and will be taking the full insurance. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Paris
7300 posts
You will have no problems whatsoever getting a car with automatic transmission in Nice. The airport is probably the best place to rent a car there, because it is very close to the city center, yet avoids driving in the city. But if renting at Nice Ville train station is cheaper, go for it: there is an expressway right next to the train station so the drive out of the city is not too stressful.
For the return in Lyon, it is a bit more complicated. The airport is far out of the city and the ride to the center is expensive (even by public transport). It can still make sense if you are coming from the Alps.
The other car rental offices are at:
- Perrache station, which is closer to the center and right next to the highway but...a horrible maze to navigate
- Part Dieu station, more straightforward to navigate but a longer drive on city streets
I do not know your exact route, but if you are planning to drive from Provence to Lyon, it is not a particularly pleasant drive on the A7 and alternative routes are very slow. Returning the car at Valence TGV or Avignon TGV is an option.
With full insurance, all rental companies are good, so just pick the cheapest.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
712 posts
I find the availability of the an automatic is generally better at the NCE airport rather than the station. The major companies are at the rental center in the middle of the P5 parking complex near Terminal 2, easily reachable from the last stop of the tram or via taxi/Uber.