Just finishing 4 weeks in Europe and had a few comments on the questions I had before starting. We are driving a small desiel Pugeot. It pays as we get about 52mpg. Desiel is usually cheapest - lowest in France, highest is Switzerland 1.28euro/l to 1.50e/l. Best to have cash for the tolls in France. Most places accept visa in France except the 24 hour gas stations. Had a difficult time in Germany with stations accepting American CCards. I never saw a speed limit sign on the motorways in Switzerland but I did check the internet and came up with 120k/hr. Make sure you get the highway sticker for 40CH. There were 2 photo radar setups between Lausanne and Geneva which was my only indication that 120 might have been the limit.
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Two people? Which model? We're headed to France, need to know actual luggage/pax space. Thanks
Posted by
OP
Saint George, UT, usa
11 posts
It's the Peugeot 207 diesel. Has 4 doors and room in the trunk for a average suitcase plus small backpack. I think there is a similar Ford and Opel. I rented from Hertz. Ok for 2 adults.
Posted by
Raton
44 posts
Mike: We just got back from a driving trip from Germany through Belgium, Normandy, then ped the car in Paris. Just two of us in an Opel Astra, which is a 6 spd diesel 4 door hatchback, with decent size back seat and lots of space in the hatch for both our full size travel cases plus incidentals. Never had a problem with space, and very comfortable leg room (and I'm a big guy). Lots of get up and go, also. Mileage was decent at about 45 mpg (as well as I could figure it). Good luck!
Posted by
Columbia, MO, USA
249 posts
Thanks for the details on the cars. We'll be in France for a month, but will need a 4-adult-pax car for the first week. It appears we'll have plenty of spare room the last 3 weeks.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10203 posts
Mike, you might want to consider renting a larger vehicle for the 1st week, the turn it in for a smaller car after you don't need the big one any more. Just a thought...
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Just came back and put 6,000 kms in France, over 5 weeks. Toll roads were easiest with cash - we kept a coin bin going. In total, for the 5 weeks, we spent under 50 euros for the tolls, most being in the 2-4 range. We had a diesel Citroen C-4 Picasso. Price of diesel in the 1.23 to 1.33 range, with the cheapest at the Hypermarché or Leclerc gas bars (supermarkets). Very good mileage. The vehicle was perfect for 4 adults, and would have been comfortable with a 5th (full floor across the back & 3 seatbelts). Good vision for all passengers. We had room for 4 RS rollaboard suitcases + 2 RS backdoor packs + assorted small stuff all out of sight in the back. In addition, this car is loaded with a dozen hidey holes, front & back! This was a lease-back with full insurance & no hassle. Good thing, because we returned it with duct tape holding up the passenger mirror. Great trip!! I already miss all the roundabouts - they were way better for my driving enjoyment than all the stop signs and lights at intersections that we have where I live...