driving from Paris to Cinqueterre

IMHO this is too much for 12 days. You can go to the via michelin web site for an estimate of driving time and costs for petrol and tolls, Everyone says that you must add extra time to ther estimate. I took a quick look and they are estimating about 10 hours. In addition, their route has you going through the Alps and using the Mont Blanc Tunne which is not the easiest driving.

If the route is over 10 hours, you really cannot do this safely in one day. So that is 2 days there and 2 days back which eats up a lot of your time. You could, of course, return by a a different route via
the Cote d'Azur and Provence and Burgundy but if you want any quality time visiting anywhere, I would not drive.

If you fly there, you could always take trains back.

I am sure that other perople will have some constructive ideas on your plans. I would stick to Paris and driving around in France. You don't need a car in the Cinque Terre.

Happy planning!

Why not fly into Paris, do your sightseeing then fly/drive to Italy then fly out of Italy.

IMO with the amount of time you have you will waste too much time driving and the Michelin guide times for the journey will be based on freeway(not sure of the US term) driving, not pretty country roads.

Just be advised that except in rare circumstances, tourist cars are not permitted in the 5 CT towns. One exception is a parking lot down by the water in Monterosso. A few hotels have private parking as well. The primary parking lots are in the hills above the towns. The lots fill up during the high season so it will depend on when you are traveling.

We plan to be in Europe in mid September. We've already bought tickets to fly from the US to Paris.We think it will be an adventure driving through France. Do all rental cars have GPS in them.? We like to drive...have driven from Maryland to Newfoundland and from Vancouver to Los Angeles. We like flexibility and hope we can find places to stay along the journey...don't want to do hostels, but have had great success with places recommended by Rick Steves, especially in Barcelona,Toledo,Segovia and Dublin. Trains are an option,but we like the idea of seeing the countryside. Can we m'do' Cinqueterre in three days?
Is Genoa worth visiting?

mary,

Given the circumstances (especially the short duration of your trip!), I'd suggest that travel by train would be a better alternative. The TGV travels MUCH faster than any car, and you'll be able to maximise the short time that you have.

If you choose to drive, you'll have to allow for the high cost of fuel, tolls, CDW insurance, parking and possible ZTL tickets (which are becoming increasingly common in many towns in Italy). Note that to drive in Italy, you'll require an International Driver's Permit. This is compulsory and failure to produce one can result in a fine on the spot. You can obtain the IDP at any AAA office (each driver must have one).

For that distance and time frame, driving would NOT be my choice! If you plan your rail trips well, it will be the easiest and quickest way from Paris to the Cinque Terre.

Happy travels!

Most cars do NOT have gps. You have to reserve it in advance, and it costs extra. Only major locations (ie airports) seem to have cars with GPS, and sometimes they run out.

I'm all for a nice road trip, stopping to explore and meander, but it doesn't make sense on this trip. First, if you stick to the fastest routes, the autoroutes, those are really boring and never very scenic. Like driving the interstates here. But it sounds like that's all you have time for. You also can't use your car in the CT, so there's no point in having one there. If your trip were longer, and you could look at a map, identify points of interest along the way, and allow time for that, using a car would make a lot more sense.

Assuming you'll arrive at CDG in the morning, I don't think it's wise to immediately start a long road trip while suffering the effects of jet lag.

With the limited time you'll have and with the fact that a car is a hindrance, not an asset, in the Cinque Terre, my suggestion would be to take public transportation from Paris to the CT. As I see it, here are some options:

(1) Take an afternoon Alitalia flight to Pisa. Roundtrip tickets probably will cost less than one-way tickets. Book an arbitrary return date and throw away the return tickets. Take a train to the CT.

(2) Get a taste of Paris and then take a cheap evening flight to Pisa on easyJet, spend the night in Pisa, and take a train to the CT in the morning.

(3) Get a taste of Paris and then take the direct night train to Milan, changing there for a train to the CT. You'll save the cost of a night in a hotel, and if you stay on your feet all day in Paris, you probably won't have trouble sleeping on the train.

On your return take the train from the CT to Nice. Pick up a car there and wander through France to Paris as the spirit moves you. Turn in your car and use public transportation in Paris and the surrounding area.

Given that you've only got 12 days for the entire trip (including travel times), I'd suggest not using a rental car at all. Does your 12-days include the flight day from the U.S. (you normally "lose" the first day and arrive in Europe the day after you departed).

Paris's traffic is like New York's rush hour on steroids. As others have mentioned, there is very little parking in CT, and you don't need a car there. I was there last September, and the little lot was almost always full (and the parking spots the tiniest I have ever seen). Your vacation will be an "adventure" as is. Between the language, culture, scenery, and food differences, I bet you'll find plenty to enjoy. :-)