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renting a car in France

We were going to rent a car in Bayeux to do some touring. We need to be back in Paris that evening to leave the next morning by air. Should we take the train back to Paris and then a bus(?) to the Orly Airport or drive back to the Orly Airport in the evening? Can we get from the train station to Orly airport at 20:00 safely? This will be in August.

Posted by
12313 posts

Two options that I like. First, if possible stay somewhat near the airport rather than in the city center on your last night. You can take public transportation downtown for touring. In the morning drive to the airport and turn in your car, board your flight.

Second, turn your car in at the airport and take public transport into town where you are staying. In the morning, take public transport to the airport for your departure.

The option I don't like is trying to navigate your rental in and out of downtown to get to and from your hotel.

Posted by
8700 posts

If you take the train to Paris, you can easily--and safely--get to Orly after 20:00. Here are your cheapest choices, avoiding the maze of tunnels at Chatelet and Chatelet-Les Halles:

  1. Take Metro line 13 from Saint-Lazare to Montparnasse-Bienvenue. Take either Metro line 4 or Metro line 6 to Denfert-Rochereau. The fare is 1.50€. Take the Orlybus from Denfert-Rochereau to Orly. The fare is 6.10€.

  2. Take Metro line 13, etc. as above. At Denfert-Rochereau take the RER B to Antony. The fare is 2.10€ rather than 1.50€ because Antony is in zone 3. Take the Orlyval driverless shuttle train from Antony to Orly. The fare is 7.20€.

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks for responding. We already have a hotel reservation right by the Orly Airport. We are trying to decide whether to drive to Orly from Bayeux and return the car at the airport that night or take the train and metro from Bayeux to the hotel by the airport. Is there an outbelt around Paris to Orly? Thanks for the metro directions, if we take the train we will use them!