Hi
I have tried to look but did not see any recent posts. We are picking up a rental van at Orly then driving to Bayeux with a stop at Versailles. Approximately how long might it take to get the rental car? Our reservations are for 10am and I was hoping to get timed tickets to the palace at 12. Would that be enough time?
Thanks so much!
Meg
Have you visited France before? Where are you arriving from?
I have but not a lot. We are flying into CDG & staying a few days without a car. There are 4 adults & 2 17 yo girls. Our plan is to pick up the rental van from Autoeurope then go to Versailles for a few hours. I know you can spend a day, but not this trip. Then, we will drive to Bayeux for a few days and then onto Bruges and Amsterdam.
So, is 2hrs enough time at the rental car to pick it up and get to Versailles?
Orly to Versailles is typically about a 30 minute drive without traffic -- I'd allocate an hour for getting there and finding parking and making my way to the entrance. I never handicap how long it will take pick up a rental car having on more than one occasion waited for well over an hour to be able to get into the car.
Our plan is to pick up the rental van from Autoeurope then go to
Versailles for a few hours. I know you can spend a day, but not this
trip. Then, we will drive to Bayeux for a few days and then onto
Bruges and Amsterdam.
We picked up at Orly and it took well over an hour- crazy long line at the rental agency desk.
Just to be clear if you are booking with AutoEurope - they are a broker- not the rental agency- that will be Hertz/Europcar/Avis- whatever- but be sure you know which agency as there will be no "AutoEurope" desk.
Picking up in France and dropping off in a different country will incur an expensive drop off fee- but maybe you are already aware of that.
When you park at Versailles (or anywhere else)- make sure your luggage is well hidden (do this before you park) and take valuables with you.
We picked up at Orly and it took well over an hour- crazy long line at the rental agency desk.
Just to be clear if you are booking with AutoEurope - they are a broker- not the rental agency- that will be Hertz/Europcar/Avis- whatever- but be sure you know which agency as there will be no "AutoEurope" desk.
Picking up in France and dropping off in a different country will incur an expensive drop off fee- but maybe you are already aware of that.
When you park at Versailles (or anywhere else)- make sure your luggage is well hidden (do this before you park) and take valuables with you.
Great information, thank you! Hadn't thought about either of those (but was aware of the drop off fee). Just looked, it's Europcar. Any ideas on how to hide luggage for 6 people in a van??
We will aim to get to Orly early (before our 10am pickup) & hopefully that will help. And, I bumped us to 1230 at Versailles.
Thanks so much!
After your visit to Bruges, return the car at Europecar at Lille Europe train station, then proceed to Amsterdam by Eurostar train. That way, you avoid international drop fees on a van, which should be sizeable. A car (or van) is worse than useless in Amsterdam.
Hey Meg! I've done this drive a few times and honestly, 2 hours might be cutting it close. Getting a rental car at Orly can take anywhere from 30-60 mins depending on how busy they are, the paperwork, and checking the car etc. Then you've got about an hour drive to Versailles (traffic around Paris can be unpredictable!)
Id suggest booking Versailles tickets for 1pm or even 1:30 to be safe. That way you won't be stressed about missing your time slot if theres any delays. Plus you might want a few mins to get oriented and find parking at Versailles - the lots can get pretty full.
If your not used to driving in France, you might wanna check out Tripiamo before your trip.
The fun and easy-to-follow guide helped me minimize driving mistakes, stressful situations, and ultimately reduced time wasted not exploring.
For the Versailles to Bayeux portion - plan on about 3 hours without stops. The roads are good but there can be traffic getting out of the Paris area.
Hope this helps! Have an amazing trip
Id suggest booking Versailles tickets for 1pm or even 1:30 to be safe. That way you won't be stressed about missing your time slot if theres any delays. Plus you might want a few mins to get oriented and find parking at Versailles - the lots can get pretty full.
Thanks! Unfortunately, I booked last night for 1230. We are going to try and get to Orly before our 10am time slot (maybe closer to 9 to hopefully help). I tried to change our time but they said nothing was available (which seems odd).
If your not used to driving in France, you might wanna check out Tripiamo before your trip.
Thanks, will definitely check that out. I appreciate all the help we can get! We do plan on 1 stop on our way to Bayeux, likely at Château Gaillard for a quick look around & maybe dinner.
Have you got IDPs for each driver?
The way van manufacturers make room for three rows of seats is to leave no room between the last row and the back doors. Getting that much luggage in to the vehicle will be a real job; concealing it would be impossible for me.
