Will be in/near Calais France on Sunday Evening March 3rd 2016. Looking for suggestions to get to Paris and then trips to Saintes France returning to Paris. Would like to try renting a car in Calais if possible and return to Paris. Could take a train to Paris and then rent a car. Not familiar with trains schedules and car rental options in France.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33837 posts
Pardon, why will you be in Calais? Or more particularly, how will you get to Calais? You're not planning on being a foot passenger on the ferry in the first days of March, are you?
You will find it exceedly hard, except at very major airports, to rent a car anywhere in France on a Sunday, let alone Sunday evening.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Just to get to Paris that evening, there are a couple of direct TGV trains (cheaper when reserved ahead), departing about 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. (fall schedule). (If you were arriving by Eurostar train from London, of course, you would not get off at Lille but would buy a ticket all the way to Paris.)
Paris is the central hub for a lot of trains, but there are some train connections from Calais to Saintes that connect at Lille (7 hours, 2 connections total), which is easier than connecting in Paris and taking local transport between different stations in the city. How to Look Up Train Schedules and Routes Online gives you the DB train schedule link and tips for using it. Best prices on French train tickets go on sale about 3 months in advance of the travel date.
Driving may be faster from Calais to Saintes, but the best benefit of the car would be to make stops on the way. See also www.viamichelin.com and http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Four of us will be leaving a large group that toured Normande for 5 days headed for Belgium. Calais will be the last Tour Stop for us four who would like to make our back to Paris and places south.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
We could stay in Calais until Monday - flexible...