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Car rental/transport near Paris

Posted by (MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, United States) on

Hi everyone!
I need some guidance renting/returning near Paris. We will pickup at CDG for a 2-week rental mid-October.
At the end of our trip, we'll spend a Sunday at Versailles before sleeping that night in central Paris/Marais district. We're seeing SO MUCH conflicting information (train stations are easier, stations are confusing) regarding where to drop off in Paris vs. airport return, plus Sunday drop-off considerations. We'll also be 8 people (2 teens, 2 kids). We're comfortable with the metro/RER, just not sure if it's worth the hassle/expense of the train vs. dropping everyone off directly at the hotel before returning our vehicle. Worth driving city streets, then return car at Gare Du Nord or Lyon? Drop the car in Versailles? Airport return, then RER?

Sat. pm - arrive Versailles, sleep 1 nt.
Sun. - tour Versailles, hotel in Marais, 3 nt.
Wed. - nt train out of Paris/Gare d'Austerlitz

Appreciate any recommendations!!

Posted by
3982 posts

I'd return the car in Versailles upon arrival and then on Sunday either take the RER C to Paris or arrange a private transport. A car that fits 8 people is just too much of a hassle to have for longer than it is absolutely needed IMO.

Posted by
674 posts

Sunday drop-off considerations

Orly airport is probably going to be most convenient and easiest driving for drop-off. Much closer to Versailles than CDG. I would expect nothing to be open in Versailles on Sunday afternoon or evening. Most of group could take the metro to the hotel, one or two to drop the car.

Posted by
7295 posts

You won't need the vehicle(s) in Versailles so you could drop off on arrival on Saturday afternoon. There are a few rental car cos. near the Chantiers train station.

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks so much for the help! We'll talk to Dad (driver) and make the call based on what's open. Thank you for the suggestions - we love the insight on this forum.

Posted by
910 posts

Glad you found a solution that works for you. We had a Sunday drop off in Lille this past spring, and really had to be very strategic with a 2 hour only late afternoon drop off period and a more limited train schedule. My take away after this trip was do not plan to pick up or drop off a rental car on Sunday. (I suppose CDG is the exception.)

Happy travels!

Posted by
377 posts

Make sure you check the open hours of wherever you choose to drop it off., many in smaller locations are closed Sundays and even Saturdays.

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