Trip advice Auto/Train

Frank, The first thought that comes to mind (especially as you mentioned "not poor but on a budget") is that the drop charges for renting a car in Paris and dropping in Venice could be huge]/u]! It might be better to drop the car in Nice and rent another in Italy? One other thing that stood out is the time in Amsterdam. 5-7 days seems a bit "long" (unless you have specific sights you want to see in that area?). The other point that was apparent is that you're doing a LOT of driving for what appears to be a 28-day trip. Driving is not the fastest travel mode, especially as you're using half your trip in Amsterdam and Paris, leaving only 14-days for the longest portion of the journey. I'd suggest using fast trains more and driving less, given the distances you want to cover. It would be a really good idea not to drive in Rome, as the traffic is horrendous! You'll also have to deal with parking costs, etc. You may want to read the Thread in this section concerning "Microchip Credit Cards". Without those you could be in a long queue to pay for tolls, which are frequent on the Motorways in France and Italy. That will also be an issue using automated pumps at fuel stations. continued.....

Frank - Part II..... If you haven't driven in Italy before, this is my usual "boilerplate" comment on the subject..... One important point to note is that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some case is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent on many Italian towns & cities. EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. Happy travels!

Hey Ken, thanks for your quick response. What I meant to say was drive from Paris to Nice and then train from there. Duhhh, what can I say, been at this for a while. As to 7 days in Amsterdam, I suspect it will be more like 3-5 days there. We made friends there last year and we are planning to get together with them again. But your point is well taken. We were thinking after seeing a little of Paris, we would rent a car,(or train or bus) to Normandy, stay one night there, and then back to Paris to drive from Paris to Nice. And then onto Italy by train or bus or whatever that will afford us the best opportunity to see the countryside. Having heard about the driving in Rome, no way we would want to drive there.. Again, thanks for your response and always ready to hear more from a seasoned traveler. Ann & Frank

I am definitely one of those 'car people' vs 'train', however I do both to try and get to places with as much scenery and as efficiently as possible. Can you just take a bus to Normandy, then get back to Paris and take the fast train to Avignon and rent your car there? That get you quickly to the south, which I think is where you want to be, since you will be ending up in Nice. I would also check the drop fee on your car. Sometimes the longer rental is cheaper and the drop fee might become a wash if the shorter rental time in Italy is more expensive. Plus you have the fee of the train to Italy and getting from the airport to the train station (don't know where it is in Nice) may also be another expense. For sure, no need to try to drive in Rome...I usually dump my car in Florence, then take the train to Rome.(so I am not opposed to trains.... I just do both so I can have the freedom of stopping whenever I please...great for picnics along the way)

Have to agree with the last poster, train to Avignon, then rent a car for the Provence area and drop in Nice. That's only if you don't have places you want to see on the way. Train...2H30m $120.00 Car...rental+ $300 fuel & tolls...8 1/2 hrs I would keep the car in Nice, as there are many towns in the hills only accessable by car. There is a car rental drop in Nice is at the train station ,located to the far left of the entrance to the station. Might want to check out the location the nite before, as there are one way streets to contend with. It's an "I can see it but can't get to it" location.
We did this 3 yrs ago.

Ann, There are some great vineyards in the Avignon region. The drive from there thru Provence is simply beautiful once you get off the main hwys. You might look into apartment rentals usually 2-3 nites reqiired. This would save some on food cost if you are willing to cook a few meals. Outdoor markets simply heavenly! Have a wonderful time, PM me if any other questions
Gerri

Not sure I agree with the car figures. Paris to Avignon is a six-hour sprint (with a quick stop), tolls are less than sixty-five bucks, and if you have a smaller car gas would be about eighty dollars. Having one car up north and another down south is going to mean two short-term rentals which will drive up the daily rate for both.

The main argument for a car form Paris, as I see it, is to stop and see stuff along the way. Of which there is lots to see. Personally I would steal a few days from Amsterdam for that. You could also start by train and pick up your car along the way and use it to explore, for instance Beaune or Lyon or Bourges (which I notice has made it onto Rick's tour itineraries). Or as suggested, Provence.

Thanks to all who responded. I think between now and June you will see us here again asking bunches of quesitons. Again to all, Thank you. Ann & Frank