We are picking our son up at the University of St. Andrews for his spring break in March of '09, planning on driving south & possibly viewing Bath, Stonehenge, etc. Then we would like to go on to Normandy, then to Paris for a few days and finally return to London. However, while I would like the ability to travel through the country areas in England and France, the thought of a car in Paris is daunting - - and we would certainly drop the car off before going in to London itself. Has anyone out there taken a trip similar to this that might be able to give me some insight into how difficult this would be or any better alternatives?
Posted by
la frette sur seine
448 posts
I'm sure some experts would give advice...but i'd leave the car in Rouen...train into Paris...and pick up another car in Rouen for the return to England. You obviously have time to organize this, but no need for a car in the city...though we've always enjoyed having a car in Normandy.
Posted by
Hendersonville, TN
98 posts
Cheryl -
Drop the car at your last destination before London or on the outskirts of the city. Take the Eurostar to Calais and pick up another car for Normandy. Drop it on the outskirts of Paris. Eurostar back to London. Check with AutoEurope for good rates. Make sure you ask about drop-off fees for not returning to your original destination.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Marcella has given you good advice. I also recommend Auto Europe.
Alternatively, you could drop your rental car in Portsmouth, take either a daytime or overnight ferry to Caen, and pick up a rental car there to tour Normandy. Then follow Marcella's plan to get to Paris and finally to London.
For ferry timetables and fares, go here.
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
I see that the St. Andrews spring break is 3/28 through 4/12, so the weather may be a factor in your planning. Look at the AutoEurope website to see where they have cars and when the offices are open. I'd suggest taking the train down to York, see the city, then rent a car and drive to the Bath / Stonehenge area. You could turn the car in at Bath and train it to London. If you are trying to keep within a budget, roundtrip on the Eurostar from London to Paris is usually cheaper than a one-way to Calias and a return from Paris to London. Look at the Eurostar choices on the RailEurope website. I'd suggest taking a train from Paris to Caen, then rent a car to do the D-day Beaches, etc. and then going down to the Loire Valley to see the chateaux. You could return the car at Tours and train it back to Paris. Lots of choices, so narrow down what you and your son really want to see. Have a great trip.
Posted by
OP
Hudson, Iowa
11 posts
Thank you so much to all of you who have replied to this topic!!! You have given me some excellent ideas to pursue. I'm really looking forward to this trip!