We will have a car in London. Should we turn it in or drive ourselves through the tunnel to Paris? It will be much cheaper to do so, but is there any reason not to? We will be turning in the car in Paris.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
You can't drive through the tunnel, you stick the car on a train and ride along. Second-country car drop-offs are really, really steep. UK to continent drops are astronomical. Play with a car booking site for a couple of minutes and you'll give up on that idea in a heartbeat.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
"is there any reason not to?" Ah, yeah.
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
3 posts
Oh yeah!!!! I knew that you do not drive yourself, but put the car on a train....duh!!!! My BAD!!!
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
You say it will be cheaper to bring the car along and drop it off in Paris. I don't see how that could be. As noted above, UK-Continent drop-off fees are really huge. And if you are simply going from the UK to Paris, why bring a car along? The car is of no use in Paris and it'll be faster to take the Eurostar all the way. So unless you plan a long drive with many stops along the way, leave the car in the UK. Also, remember the steering wheel will be on the opposite side, so trying to drive opposite from the way the car is designed is not a good idea for a novice.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Jeanene, I agree with the others that this is not a good idea, for the reasons already mentioned: > Astronomical drop fees > No need to have a car in Paris (driving there is not for the faint-of-heart) > Steering wheel will be on opposite side for France. While people from the U.K. do this on a regular basis, they get much more practice so less likely to have problems (at least that's my impression from speaking with a dozen or more U.K. residents in France). It would be much easier to simply travel via EuroStar. If you need a car in France, rent one there. Happy travels!
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Every driver from UK that once ventured in the continent was a novice and a newbie once... I don't see why Americans would lack the ability except for the fact they might be less familiar with European road signs. This being said, drop-off rates from UK in the continent often run in the high hundred-euros mark, IF they are allowed at all. Cars from Ireland usually can't be dropped off in the continent.
Posted by
OP
Houston, Texas, USA
3 posts
Thank you for all the Heads Up. I am traveling with my son and daughter-in-law. We will be in the Cotswold for a week and he is looking foward to driving. I would not be so brave as to drive on the other side....... I agree that we would not need the car in Paris. I appreciate all of the in-put.