Car Rental Questions...

Hi Sandi...We always drive in Europe and think it is the only way to go. My husband has an International driver's license we got at AAA. We have never had to use it , but got it just the same. A GPS is wonderful.We take our own from home . We drive alot in France and always leave and return to Orly Airport. The first thing my husband does is put a marker on the spot we get the car. It is not always so easy to return, but the GPS really helps.Also , if you are out for the day , you can put a marker on your hotel and wander around all day and then hit the hotel marker and the GPS will take you there. Many hotels these days have their GPS coordinates for you and that really helps also. I think all the permits and such will come with your car... but don't forget the insurance.There is a CDW ..collesion damage wavier and a super CDW. If you get a CDW there is a big deductible now and the super CDW covers everything. Have fun. Oh, we also take a bag of change for the tollroads. Keep the euros left over from Paris in a ziplocck to use on the tollroads.

Sandi,
We drive everywhere in Europe as well. One thing, why don't you fly into Paris and out of Munich? That way you don't waste time backtracking and flights from Munich are usually cheaper than Paris. You will need a new "Environmental Stiker" to drive into certain cities in Germany. We are renting a car in Austria and they sell the stickers, you may want to check with your rental company if you need one. We don't use a GPS, but I print out directions from www.viamichelin.com and that has always worked great. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips....

I wish I had visited this site before I booked my airfare, but I did not...so I am stuck with in and out of Paris.

I did try to change my airfare, but it was just too expensive at this point.

I am trying to make the driving as stress free as posible, and have some "pit stops" along the way that seem like they would be fun.

For example, on the way to Switzerland, we would like to stop for a bite to eat in Dijon. Is this a nice place to stop?

Also, on the last days drive back, we go right through Reims in France, which has a cathedral I would like to see.

Overall, we are looking forward to the driving part, and are staying out of big cities, so that should help. We are only driving to and from CDG in Paris. I am a little nervous about that part.

I can't believe how much planning, research you need to do for a Europe trip. This will be my husband's first trip, and I have only ever done tours, never on my own.

For driving in Switzlerand, you need a sticker on your windshield... I believe it's the same one as for Austria. Your rental agency should be able to provide it, but you may have to specifically ask for one.

Sandi:
Switzerland requires the yearly permit and you will probably have to purchase it before entering the country. (Check your rental car, but unless a previous renter drove it in Switzerland, you will have to buy the pass) It is easy to do. Just stop at a gas station near the Swiss border.
A bigger issue is Germany. Many large cities require a environmental badge to drive in the downtown areas. If you are not visiting any big cities it won't be a problem. This link has a map that shows the cities where it could be an issue and it doesn't sound like you will going to any of them:

http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/int_england.php?SID=js9eb7lu4kg3kcssqi8vq1ijq4

Other than that, driving in Switzerland and Germany is very similar to driving the states. Just stay in the right lane except to pass and you will be fine.

Just to clarify Tom's response. Switzerland's sticker is similar to Austria's but it's not the "same one". Each country has its own sticker.

And your rental car company will provide one if you pick up in that country. But it's unlikely they would have one for Switzerland if you pick up in Paris.

You buy them as you enter the country.

If you're looking to stop for a bite on your way to Swirzerland, I wouldn't suggest Dijon. Too big. I'd suggest one of the smaller towns near Beaune but close to the Autoroute. You'll be in the heart of Burgundy and every town has good restaurants.

"And you're rental car company will provide one if you pick up in that country. But it's unlikely they would have one for Switzerland if you pick up in Paris. " Sixt provides the sticker upon request, no matter in which country you pick up the car.

Tom - Not trying to pick a fight, but really? Where would Sixt get them from? Having Swiss stickers (which cost somewhere around $25/year) on hand for all of its French rental offices would seem complicated logistically and enormously expensive to them.

I've driven in Switzerland twice, and each time I picked up a car from Sixt outside the country. Both times, I asked for the sticker and received it. Mind you, you have to pay for the sticker, but at least with Sixt, it is available upon request.

I agree on stopping some where in Burgundy for a bite to eat, but, as a previous poster has said, Dijon is pretty big unless you are going to stay there. If you are going down the A6 there are many little , neat places to have lunch. We love Chateauneuf.. there is a neat little restaurant called Loree de Bois. The ancient town is on the Burgundy canal and it would be neat to see the boats . Vizalay is a wine town with many restaurants.It is off the tollroad. I guess it depends where you are staying for the night and how far you are going.

Reims Cathedral is great. I only wish we had allowed enough time to take the rooftop tour. It wasn't difficult to find the cathedral and the parking (I think we parked along the river) was close by.
Jinny

One minor point: You will want an International Drivers Permit (IDP), not an International Drivers License. Not trying to be picky. It's just that one is a readily accepted translation of your drivers license, while the other is often an internet scam these days. You can obtain the IDP at any AAA office, either in person or by mail.

I saw you were nervous about driving out of CDG...we did and it was very easy!! Of course it was early on Sunday, but everything is well marked. Now driving into Paris itself...the scariest place we have ever driven was around the city and the Arc de Triomphe in particular!!