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Need help trying to understand best method of transportation from Paris to Dordogne

Posted by on

My husband and I are searching for the best method to get from CDG to Sarlat. our flight arrives from New Your at 11 am on Monday. Initially we planned to take TGV train from CDG to Sarlat (or near Sarlat - maybe Brive) and then rent a car for our stay in the Dordogne region. At the end of our 5 days in Sarlat, we'd drop off the car and take the train back to Paris. After checking on ticket prices to Brive, it seems like it will be much less expensive for us to just rent a car in Paris (or right outside of Paris) and drive to Sarlat. We've looked at All France Rail pass as well as just a round trip from Paris to Brive. I've seen several comments about not trying to drive to Sarlat on the same day we arrive -

What makes sense? Thanks so much for your help.

Posted by
10196 posts

Is there any possibility of flying to Bordeaux? You could stay the night, rent a car in the morning and be a lot fresher for a short drive to the Dordogne.

Posted by
8060 posts

You certainly should not be driving the day of arrival. If it costs more; it costs more. If you don't care about your own safety think of others on the road. I would probably look to fly to the south on a budget airline leaving at least 4 or 5 hours between ETA at CDG and the next flight. Get a good night's sleep on arrival and then pick up the car the next day. You don't want a rail pass probably; they are now fairly obsolete and rarely save money. Tickets on the train are much cheaper 90 days out but apparently that ship has sailed.

Posted by
3164 posts

Yes it would be cheaper and faster to travel by car directly from CDG to Sarlat. But it is a long 6 hour drive after an international flight. By the time you clear customs and immigration and pick up your rental it will be close to 1PM. As much as I arrive well-rested and I love driving, I don't think that driving straight through would be advisable. Consider stopping overnight midway on the journey. That way you could safely arrive in Sarlat in the morning and be well rested when you get there.

Posted by
1443 posts

I am making essentially the same trip in June. I fly into Paris, take a train to Brive, rent a car, and drive the remaining hour or so. Except I'm staying in Paris the first 3 nights because Paris.

Posted by
44 posts

ThanksI for your responses and your help!
I wasn't clear that we aren't traveling until early June. Sounds like it might make sense to drive to Sarlat and we won't
make the drive on the day we arrive. What about renting a car at the airport and driving for an hour out of Paris to spend the late afternoon and evening. Or is there a better place to pick up a rental car than the airport. We are fine with a standard or automatic.

Posted by
131 posts

You could take the train to Bordeaux from either CDG or Montparnasse. Then spend the night in Bordeaux, before driving to Sarlat in the morning.

I suggest using www.captaintrain.com for your train tickets.

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