We are taking the RS Basque tour in October, then flying back to Paris to travel by train to Caen. Do we need to reserve tickets ahead of time for the trains from Gare St Lazare to Caen? We are unsure of how long it will take us to get from the airport to the train station. Also, I have heard to purchasing gas with a rental car is confusing. Any tips on this? Has anyone had trouble. We do have credit cards with 4-digit pins.
Posted by
750 posts
If you mean you’ve heard you need a PIN number to purchase gas, and your card has a PIN number you will be fine. We never needed a PIN number in Normandy this past spring , but have heard via this forum that it can be problematic if there’s nobody working there at the time, so a pin is required.
Posted by
OP
Charlottesville, VA, USA
24 posts
Yes, that was my question about gas. Thank you!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1125 posts
Anne, Are you flying into Orly or CDG? I found it easiest to take a fixed price official taxi from CDG (or Orly) to wherever I am going, hotel or train station. I don't find it easy schlepping my bag on the metro, and maybe up and down stairs in the metro stations. (Granted, I am 80 y/o.) You might check with SNCF website about trains to Caen. My instinct tells me that there are probably plenty of trains from Paris to Caen all day long, but if there is a TGV, I would reserve ahead to get a lower price. Just be sure to give yourself enough time between landing at the airport and getting on the train. Better to have an extra hour to wait than miss a train by 10 or 15 minutes because my plane was late.
Gas purchase....we used a tap credit card for all our gas,except once or twice at a grocery store, when we needed a pin. At the big motor stops on the autoroutes, there was always someone to assist if needed (just like the truck stops in the US).
Happy trip!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1125 posts
Sorry, Anne, I see you said CDG in your title. I should have paid more attention!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33451 posts
one other possible confusion is what hose to put into the car. Be sure you know what is required. Colour of hose is likely to be different than at home, and what it is called different too. Petrol/gasoline is "Essence". Diesel is "Gasoil" or Gazole". Easy to confuse if you think because the word starts with gas it is gasoline. That can be an expensive mistake.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7024 posts
I always get fuel at manned stations and it’s been tap to pay. I haven’t needed a pin for anything in over a decade. For fuel, ensure you get to correct kind. When you open the gas cap there will most likely be a sticker saying E5, E10, or whatever. At the pump get the corresponding nozzle. The pumps are well marked as to what type fuel is dispensed. Fuel type may also be noted on your contract, on a sticker in the vehicle, or the business card the rental agent gives you. Most countries seem to be phasing out diesel fueled vehicles as rentals.