Trying to decide where to pick up and drop off a rental car outside of Paris in August. We (2 adults & 2 kids) will be staying in the Marais, then will need to pick up a rental car somewhere before driving down to the Loire Valley. A week later, we will be driving back to Paris from Serans, a town northwest of Paris. We will need to drop the car off somewhere convenient before heading to our hotel in the Latin quarter for our last night. I want to minimize driving within Paris, but ideally not have to travel too far by train or taxi to/from each car rental location. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Canada
60 posts
Hello,
There are probably decent pick up spots closer, but a couple years ago we just kept it simple and picked up our car back near the airport after a week in Paris. It was a long term rental/lease, and the airport was our only option, but it really ended up being efficient for us, and took away any stress of driving in Paris at all. The airport is serviced by train, or standard rate taxis, which also simplified our lives.
It was very nice to just pick up our car and immediately be on the highway, and just as easy at drop off.
So my situation was a little different since we were returning the car and immediately flying. I can't claim to be an expert on if there are options that will be more convenient for you, but the airport was definitely easy.
Cheers,
Posted by
Land of La
10237 posts
Whom do rent from in the states.?
Asking only because when I drove from Heathrow to Lyme Regis I then wanted to drop the car off and train back to London by train. The UK Hertz personnel were kind enough to suggest drop off points. Hopeful if you ask the French rental car folks you’ll be provided the info you seek.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1968 posts
I suggest adding a night in Serans and returning the car at the airport, rather than trouping back into the city only to turn around and head out again. Picking up at the airport isn't the most convenient for Loire, but it would save you the fee for dropping off somewhere else. Worth checking to see if there is something south of the city near a train station.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7414 posts
I will do a lot to avoid driving in or around Paris. Depending on where you are staying in the Loire, you could take a direct train from Paris to either Orleans or St Pierre des Corps (Tours) and pick up the car there. From Serans you could drive about 30 km to Cergy, drop the car and take the train or RER back to Paris.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3354 posts
In 2017, family members picked up their car at Orly when they left Paris and headed west. They dropped it at CDG the night before their flight home (they stayed at an airport hotel....early morning flight). They had no extra fee or difficulty with a different drop-off, probably because they were airports. I forget which major company they rented from. My guess is you could do likewise. Public transport to Orly for pick up, and same from CDG to Paris at end of trip, or a stay at an airport hotel.
Posted by
Paris
7943 posts
Serans is close enough to CDG airport not to warrant a final night in Paris. Can you change that and stay there an extra night?
Orly airport is a very convenient pickup spot to drive to the Loire Valley (with 4 people, take a taxi to the airport). Alternatively, Massy-Palaiseau station (go there by RER B), arguably even more convenient but with fewer options.
For drop-off options coming from the north... besides CDG airport, I'm less sure.
Edited to add that I missed the part about this trip being in August. There's no traffic in the first three weeks of August, you could choose to pick up and drop off the car in central Paris.
Posted by
3256 posts
Paris will be empty in August; with absolutely no traffic, driving will never be easier.