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From Paris to Switzerland

We’re planning a trip next fall that will take us from Paris to Switzerland to Mantua Italy and ending in the Nice area after six weeks. May I ask for suggestions on driving? Should we take rail to Bern and rent a car there? We want a car in Italy and southern France to visit all the little towns. Thank you.

Posted by
2320 posts

You will face very high one-way rental fees (up to $1000) if you pick up a car in one country and return in another. Definitely look at the car rental rates. We usually rent cars for our trips, and prices have been insane (3-4 times normal). You might look at a lease from somewhere in France and returning in France. Otherwise take the train until you get to Italy, rent there and return the car in Italy. Then take the train or fly to Nice, and rent another car for your time in that area.

Posted by
11 posts

Good point, thanks for your suggestions. So we will end our trip near Nice France and will fly home from Nice, so better rent a car in France so we can return in France. Thanks

Posted by
1161 posts

Car rental is outrageous at the moment, especially when dropping off in a different country, much less a different city. We looked at renting a car in Nice and dropping it off in Avignon, and the drop-off fee was more than the rental. Then last month we looked at rentals in Italy picking up in Florence and returning to Orvieto or Rome, and again, the fee. We decided to train most of the time and did a daily car rental here and there for the out-of-the-way places.