So we are planning on coming in from Strasbourg to St-Pierre-des-Corps and our original plan was to rent a car and head to Amboise as our base to see the Loire Valley. Looking at our schedule we are thinking of coming in on a Sunday late, after hours. Our day can be adjusted to advoid Sunday, I think, but I don't know if we can adjust the time we are coming in. So... advice? Do we pay the extra surcharge and rent after hours or stay in Tours instead and rent a car in the morning? We only have one full day before we head to Paris. Thanks!
Posted by
Kelowna, Canada
118 posts
Most , if not all of the car rental places are closed Sunday so I think you should re-arrande day to arrive in the Loire.
Are you saying you only have one full day in the Loire? That does not seem enough if you want to see chateaux, wineries etc
Posted by
Green Bay
20175 posts
I've never done it, but it is apparently possible to book an Avis car at St Pierre des Corps through SNCF and pick it up on a Sunday. https://en.oui.sncf/en/car/train-avis
Posted by
Loire Valley
766 posts
At 8.00pm on a Sunday I doubt if there will be any way of getting a car from anyone, even an Avis car booked through the SNCF. (you may be able to start the booking process, but I doubt if it will let you complete it).
That means you would be better off staying in Tours (IMHO a better option anyway). I assume the reason you're arriving in the evening because of the direct train Strasbourg-Saint Pierre des Corps, in which case you will have a 25 minute wait at Saint Pierre des Corps Station for the transfer to Tours.
For one full day I doubt if you will see as much with a hire car as you think you will. It always takes longer to get to places than navigation software would have you believe - my calculation is always assume you're travelling at 30mph, especially in September with all the harvesting machinery on the road. Plus adding in the time it takes to actually hire a care (always at least 30 minutes longer than you plan) and you have really reduced your day.
My suggestion would be to stay in Tours and book a tour for the Monday - much less hassle than hiring a car, navigating yourself, and (especially) filling the car with fuel at the end of the hire. It might not be as economical, but it will be a lot less stress.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7327 posts
Note meal hour closings here as well.
Posted by
OP
37 posts
Thank you for the feedback. we decided to alter our plans and come in a day early and you Avis to rent after hours. We also plan to spend an extra day down there before heading to Paris.