Our plan is to rent a car at CDG on Sunday in Oct., drive through Rouen, Honfluer to Normandy then to Loire and finally drop off the car at CDG the folloiwng Friday, the day before our flight back to US. Maps indicate having to drive the Peripherique highway around Paris. Is this doable in both directions or should we opt to drop off the car in another city and train back to CDG? Thanks.
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
good plan and cdg is easy to get to. only thing you want to make sure is to check your return flight's terminal and ask if you can return the rental car to that terminal - cdg is very big and if you happen to return rental car to the wrong terminal, it'll take a lot of time to get to the right one. (this happened to me last month). driving will be cheaper than taking the train if more than 2 people.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon, USA
320 posts
Dave - Getting in an out of CDG from the car rental area is not bad. The periperique is well marked and very similar to any urban US freeway. Remember to get back to CDG in plenty of time - that airport is a pain in the rear - small check in areas, crowded security, etc. Have fun.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Dave....you shouldn't have any problems on the Sunday....but come in before the afternoon rush hour on the Friday. The "Peripherique" you see mentioned is actually the "Peripherique Ile de France," not the "Peripherique interieur," which is the one that marks the Paris city limits. The one you see mention as part of your route runs outside the other. Check viamichelin.com and it'll even show you the locations of speed traps along the way!
Posted by
OP
Webster Groves, Missouri, USA
76 posts
Thank you everyone. We decided to drop off the car at CDG. We have a reservation at the Ibis Hotel for Friday night and fly back Saturday noon. Looking forward to the trip. Thanks again.
Posted by
Lodi, California, USA
149 posts
Hi Dave, On many occasions, I have stayed at the Ibis CDG the night before an early flight. They serve breakfast starting very early, I think at 4AM. But be sure to book the correct Ibis, as there are two or three in the CDG area. The one you want is Ibis Hotel Code 1404. The RER into Paris is in the same complex and there is a free shuttle to the airport terminals that runs about every 10 minutes, also starting very early in the morning. Charlie Robinson, Lodi, California
Posted by
OP
Webster Groves, Missouri, USA
76 posts
Charlie -
Thank you for the info on the Ibis Hotels. Naturally, our reservation is at one of the others. Will switch it. Sounds like 1404 is the best choice for heading home.
Dave
Posted by
Corsicana, Texas, USA
354 posts
A couple of reminders: the main highways to Normandie and the Loire are toll roads, requiring cash or credit cards at certain points; gasoline stations are much less prevalent than in the U.S, so keep a close eye on your fuel gauge; and, if returning your car to CDG on a weekday, prepare yourself for aggressive drivers on the Peripherique, both in cars and on motorcycles.
Posted by
Marion
177 posts
My wife and I made the exact trip you have planned a few years ago. We had a ball. We knew very little French. We had trouble getting out of CDG because we didn't know the word for exit-sortie, We stayed at a Holiday Inn across from Ibis. We have traveled all over Europe since then. Have a great time.