We are flying into Amsterdam in the middle of April for 5 days visit in this city and Haarlem, using public transportation. We then want to take a train to Leiden and rent a car for visits to Delft, Gouda and the garden areas. The rental will be used for driving to Brugges and Gent, onto Lille, Caen (2 days), Loire Valley (4 days) and dropping off the car at Gare de Lyon in Paris(one week in Paris). Also, is the trip from the Churchcill Hotel to Mont St Michae an all day trip? Should we rent the car in Leiden or in Amsterdam (have always read how difficult it is to drive in major cities in Europe)? How difficult will it be to drive to the downtown Paris Gare de Lyon to drop off our rental from Chartres? Thank you, Dorsey
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Which Churchill Hotel, the one in Bayeux?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
You will likely have to pay a hefty fee for picking up a car in one country and dropping it off in another. I suggest that you consider dropping off your car in Leiden and taking trains to Brugges, Gent, and Lille. Pick up a new car in Lille.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"How difficult will it be to drive to the downtown Paris Gare de Lyon to drop off our rental from Chartres?" Not the easiest drive in Europe, but not the hardest. You should experience clear sailing from Chartres until you come within a few kilometers of Le Perpherique. Expect a battle from there until you reach the drop-off point.
Although one of the mantras of these threads is "Don't drive in the cities", perhaps it needs a little clarification. A better phrasing would be "Don't use a car as your primary means of transport within a city." Certainly, for some itineraries, it may be most convenient to drop off or pick up a rental car inside a city center.
Posted by
OP
Centennial, CO
189 posts
The Churchcill Hotel in Bayeux. Thank, Dorsey