Train to Avignon or Plane to Marseille?

Elaine,

I’d suggest taking the train to Avignon, getting a good nights sleep, and getting the car the next day.

I don’t think it’s safe to drive after a transatlantic flight when you may be experiencing jet lag.

What’s your itinerary?

Have a great trip!

I'd definitely do the train and Avignon option. Not only will it be a pleasant train ride through the French countryside, but you'll save money by cutting a day off your car rental. Plus you'd be exhausted by the time you picked up the car in Marseille, making for a very unpleasant driving experience. Navigating around the Marseille airport is hectic at any time, but it may still be under construction (it was last year), plus you'd be hitting it right at rush hour. Instead, you'll feel rested by the time you get to Avignon and will be able to walk around that evening. There will also be more dinner options in Avignon than St. Rémy.

We're actually debating a similar question now--we'll arrive in CDG at 8am and are debating getting our rental car then and driving to Angers, or training to Angers and then picking up the car that afternoon or evening. My husband tends to do the driving, and he's pushing for the train (and nap!) option, though our situation is different since it's much earlier in the day (and I really want the car at CDG so we can visit Chartres on the way to Angers!). I'm waiting for the train times/prices to be published before making our final decision...

Avignon is worth a full day visit, so stay two nights. High-speed train is almost as fast as a plane when you consider the delays at either end of the flight, plus the train ride is scenic and more comfortable. There is a five-minute shuttle from the SNCF station into Avignon. Buy your train ticket as soon as you can to save a lot of money.

Three hours allows a bit of padding (not a ton) in case of a late flight arrival to CDG. The length of the line at passport control is the other wild card. I assume you have a nonstop flight from Seattle and recommend carrying on luggage to avoid having retrieve it in Paris. Train tickets purchased in advance, especially at a discount, are no good after the departure of the scheduled train.

Sounds better to me to spend a night or 2 in Paris to start your trip off.
Then you can easily take the train after a good night's sleep and drive the car from Avignon to St Remy without the need for an overnight in Avignon.

Otherwise you have one really long travel day when you arrive.

Thank you all for the great input to consider! I'll plan to take the train for sure - I'm still working on what comes after that.

I made the mistake last year of returning a rental car in Marseille, it was a terrible driving experience and will avoid that city at all costs next time. Returning or picking up car in Avignon is a better choice.

Judy: did you return to the Marseille airport?
You have me nervous because my plans in July have been doing exactly that.

I had read the airport was very easy off the highway ; so curious what issues you had?

did you return to the Marseille airport

I'd be surprised if that was the case. I've picked up and returned cars to the Marseille airport a few times, and found it very easy. Now getting or returning a rental in the city is not something I would do.