Renting a car in France
Dec 12, 2016, 9:25 am
#1
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Renting a car in France
I am tentatively planning on renting a car at the Eurotunnel terminal at Calais and driving up to Brugge for the day to go to their open market. Do I need to do anything in advance to drive through two countries? Am I okay with my AZ DL? Will my citi AA card cover extra insurance on the car?
Dec 12, 2016, 9:27 am
#2
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Which agency are you renting from? There are forums for the majors, and another forum for general questions from the others:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/car-r...-services-392/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/car-r...-services-392/
Dec 12, 2016, 9:33 am
#3
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Which agency are you renting from? There are forums for the majors, and another forum for general questions from the others:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/car-r...-services-392/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/car-r...-services-392/
Dec 12, 2016, 2:03 pm
#4
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I've rented in France frequently (mainly from Avis). You'll be fine (at least at Avis, and I have to assume most majors) with an AZ DL. I assume you drive stick? You'll get a better choice of car if you don't need an automatic.
Dec 12, 2016, 2:46 pm
#5
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Whenever I rent in Europe I always read the fine print closely to determine into what countries I'm permitted to take the rental car. (Assuming I'm renting in one country and driving in another.) It can vary by agency and by make/model of car.
France/Belgium is likely not an issue at all. But read the fine print closely: it should specify clearly where you're allowed to go.
And yes, I hope you know how to drive a stick.
France/Belgium is likely not an issue at all. But read the fine print closely: it should specify clearly where you're allowed to go.
And yes, I hope you know how to drive a stick.
Dec 12, 2016, 2:46 pm
#6
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Maybe I'm not quite following, but it sounds like you're taking the car on the Eurotunnel and then parking it at Calais, and renting a car? Why not just drive the one you already have, I know about the right hand vs, left hand drive thing, but people do it all the time.
Dec 12, 2016, 2:53 pm
#7
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I know people do it but I'm not. I don't even drive in the UK let alone drive a car with the wheel on the wrong side of the car while on the right side of the road. My mom doesn't feel comfortable driving her CRV on the other side of the road so rent it is.
Dec 12, 2016, 3:09 pm
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Isn't it more expensive to take a car through the tunnel than just 2 passengers? Why not leave the car in the UK if the intent is to rent on the French end?
Dec 12, 2016, 3:22 pm
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Dec 12, 2016, 3:56 pm
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But there are Eurostar services and those stations usually have car rental agencies as well. Alternatively take a flight over. I can't imagine that traveling on the Shuttle (which is minimum 60£ IIRC + parking in France) will be that much more cheap.
Dec 12, 2016, 4:05 pm
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Dec 12, 2016, 4:08 pm
#12
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Eurostar doesn't go to Calais. The cost for the euro tunnel for 4 people is 40 quid.
Dec 12, 2016, 6:42 pm
#13
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My concern would be assuming that you can use the car rental lot to park. Space is much more limited in Europe and the rental agency may not make parking available to private cars.
The distance isn't that far and most of the driving will be on an autoroute so driving your mother's car should be fine - just don't pass and preferably just follow other cars where possible. My first experience of driving a vehicle on the wrong side of the road was up the A3 onto the M25. Lots of people do in my neck of the woods especially with Japanese-market vehicles. Just saw a Japanese market MB van (hate to think of repair bills and parts availability).
The distance isn't that far and most of the driving will be on an autoroute so driving your mother's car should be fine - just don't pass and preferably just follow other cars where possible. My first experience of driving a vehicle on the wrong side of the road was up the A3 onto the M25. Lots of people do in my neck of the woods especially with Japanese-market vehicles. Just saw a Japanese market MB van (hate to think of repair bills and parts availability).
Dec 13, 2016, 9:20 am
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Dec 13, 2016, 11:55 am
#15
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BTW: There are Eurostar services that stop at Calais.
Last edited by WorldLux; Dec 13, 2016 at 12:03 pm