Hi, all. I came back from Bordeaux and Paris a month ago. I'm planning on going back to France in June 2025. I want to go to Avignon for a few days. A few people recommended renting a car in Avignon. Is it better to rent a car there? How is the public transportation system, like train or/and bus in Avignon? If I should rent a car, do I need to get an international driver's license? Is it "easy" to rent a car and drive there? Thank you!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5800 posts
You don’t need a car within Avignon. You may want a car if you are planning to explore some of the small towns in the surrounding countryside, but you can visit a number of places by train or bus from Avignon. Determine what you want to visit in the area and then people can give you transportation recommendations.
If you do rent a car, you should get an International Driving Permit (IDP). This is a translation of your Driver’s License (DL). You need both your DL and the IDP if you are stopped by the police.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1162 posts
emi0504,
As Laura said, you need BOTH your regular driver's license and an International Driving Permit. There is no such thing as an international drivers license, as each country issues its own license, just as each state does in the US. You can get the IDP at a AAA office for about $20.00, and $8.00 for a photo there, if you don't have one to take in.
Posted by
Oregon
252 posts
You may only find standard shift autos in Avignon, if you're comfortable with that. Traffic laws are strictly enforced, especially the speed limit. If you use the GPS in the auto, it will display the speed limit.
Posted by
Tallahassee, FL, USA
67 posts
I would NOT rent a car in Avignon. Most of what you will want to see is all within walking distance. The old town within the walls can be very difficult to drive in, and there is very little parking. I mostly walked, but took a cab one evening when I was very tired.
If you want to explore villages outside of Avignon, then you will need a car. But for just Avignon, a car would just be a headache IMO.
If you rent a car, you can book an automatic. I had no trouble finding one in advance. There are several rental companies at the TGV train station. You do need an International Driver's Permit, which you can obtain for under $30 from AAA. You don't have to have the IDP to rent the car, but in the event of getting pulled over, you will need the IDP on you.
Posted by
260 posts
Spent a month in Provence in March 2024 and 2 weeks of that was in Avignon. Solo, F, 70+ and only use public transpo. Bus and train station are next to each other and for 13 days utilized both to travel out of the city. Very cheap as well as most of the cities I went to were within the system. City bus system was great as well. and there is a free jitney system of i think 4 free routes that mainly travels within the wall but actually it is all walkable. Great city.
I went to Provence as a forum poster was offering books on Provence and after 2 postings and no takers I took them. Got about 20!!!
Can I offer some to you?