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Getting back to the US from Alsace

Hi all.
We'll be in the Grand Est for 3 months later this year (covid-19 permitting) finishing up in Strasbourg. We are considering returning (to DC) via Frankfurt instead of Paris. That is, renting a car in Strasbourg and dropping it off at FRA vice CDG. Any thoughts?

Posted by
1573 posts

Large drop-off fee for a different country from which you rented it.

Posted by
8889 posts

As Bob says, returning a rented French car in Germany will incur a large surcharge. It is easy to get from Strasbourg to Frankfurt airport by train.
Also consider Zürich airport. Also accessible by train from Strasbourg.

Apologies if you already know this: "for 3 months later this year" - assuming you are US citizens, you are only allowed in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. A few days less than 3 months.

Posted by
7179 posts

I know that CDG (with TGV service direct from Strasbourg) has a bad rep! But I hope you have other, travel-related reasons for going to Frankfurt. Note that the scenic Rhine is beyond Frankfurt, viewed from Alsace.

Posted by
4 posts

Yes, Chris, thanks for thinking of us about the visa. This time 90 days max (actually 85). Next time we will apply for a long-stay visa.

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks, Ashley. Exactly the info I was hoping to get. Perfect solution. And, Tim, going only to the Frankfurt airport. Been to Frankfurt and Germany many many times; this time just looking for an easier way back from eastern France.

Posted by
9460 posts

For the record — because I find it so outrageous — BFM TV was reporting tonight that German police were essentially “patrolling” the borders (stopping travelers out of France, asking for I.d. Etc ) today. Macron gave a pretty pointed retort to Merkel on what he thought of this when he gave his speech tonight, so hopefully this won’t continue.

Posted by
12172 posts

Lots of options. I generally try to stick with one country when I travel these days but that's just me.

I finished a similar trip in Strasbourg then trained to Reims, spent a day and night, and continued on to Paris for a few days before my flight home.

If you rent, at least cross the river into Germany to rent the car.

Trains are available to get you to Frankfurt easily. If you're just driving straight there, even if you only plan to stop at bigger transportation hubs, I'd probably go with a train.

Posted by
11052 posts

We had no problems with the high speed trains between Paris and Strasbourg. Your choice of staying near Kaysersberg is a good one.

Posted by
1357 posts

If you end up renting a car and driving back to CDG be sure and don't speed or you will get an electronic ticket mailed to you a couple of months later. It happened to me recently and I made every effort not to speed. My rental car would even notify me of the speed limit. Have no idea where or how but it happened. Costs were approximately $25 from the rental car company and $77 for the ticket itself.