We will be arriving in CDG early (7:30am) and need to be in Normandy area for 4 days. Then back in Paris to stay near Notre Dame for 5 nights before heading back to the states. We would like to be able to drive while in Normandy, but not in Paris. We plan on picking up a rental car at CDG a/p, drive to Normandy, return the car to the a/p, take either the RER or a taxi to Notre Dame. Is this the best way of getting around for this itinerary? How easy or difficult is it to return the rental car at the a/p and get a taxi or get to the train station to Paris? Is it better to pick up & return the rental car outside of Paris, and where would that be? And how would we get from the a/p to there? Please help! Also, on the way back from Normandy to drop off the car at CDG, we plan on stopping & tour Versailles. A friend suggested that we should drop off the rental car at Versailles when finishing the tour. Then take the RER to Notre Dame. Do you think this is better for us? Do you know if we can drop the car off in Versailles? If we go this route, should we pre buy RER tickets to Notre Dame before getting there? We don't know the exact time when we would be finished with touring Versailles. Another thing, the date is Nov. 1st, and we hear it is a national holiday in France. Will places be opened for what we need to do on that day? ie., car rental return, Versailles tour, RER, etc? Any information is much appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
1. Going back to the airport to drop the car is simple enough, but it's just as easy to drop it a Nord. If you do go back to the airport, you won't need a taxi to get to the RER station - - walk or take the shuttle. 2. If you're going to Versailles, drop the car there and take the RER - - the C Line has a stop just across the Seine from Notre Dame. Driving from Normandy to Versailles is easy. 3. The RER will run as usual on November 1. Car places will be open. Versailles will also be open.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7034 posts
No, you don't need to pre-buy the RER ticket, just get it at the Versailles station when you're ready to take the train to Paris.
Posted by
OP
chatsworth, usa
4 posts
After your advice, we will drop the car off at Versailles. But since there are 3 of us (and luggage), do you think it would be easier to take a taxi to Notre Dame instead of taking the RER? I think the cost for 3 on the RER is the same as taking a cab? If so, are there cabs readily avail. at the car rental drop off? Would the rental place make a call for a cab for us?
Also, do we tip the taxi driver? And how much?
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Check your cost sources. An RER ticket from Versailles to anywhere in the city is four bucks or so. My guess is that a cab for three and luggage will push seventy-five. A couple euro is plenty for a tip.
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7034 posts
Yes, the taxi will cost much more than the RER. However, other things besides cost need to be factored in. How fit are the 3 of you? How much luggage are you hauling? The train WILL involve some stairs, carrying your luggage, and probably a few blocks walk from the metro to your actual hotel (or possibly a taxi from metro to hotel) so that needs to be considered also. Maybe a taxi split 3 ways will outweigh the inconvenience of the train, your decision.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, United States
864 posts
Confirm when the rental agency closes and that they will call you a cab if you choose that route. Also, we have had the odd experience of returning our Hertz rental car in at an Avis counter which was confusing to say the least but in some smaller places that's how it's done. Check when they are closed on the holiday and for lunch.
Posted by
Paris
9573 posts
The RER will be running on its reduced Sat/Sun/holiday schedule on Nov 1. You might have to wait a bit longer for a train, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Posted by
Snohomish, wa
28 posts
If you decide to drop your car in Versailles, the Europecar office is about 100 yards from the train station making drop off easy.
Posted by
OP
chatsworth, usa
4 posts
Hey Joe - My car rental is with Avis. Do you know if there is an Avis car booth for returns @ Versailles? Or can we just drop it off with any car rental there?
Our contract with Avis is that we will be dropping it at the train station in Versailles. Thanks.