Car rental
Driving the car in France gives you the ultimate freedom of discovering the small towns and countryside on your own. Renting a car in France is relatively easy, but if you are staying only in Paris, there is no need for one.
You will need your driver's license, a passport, and a credit card. Some credit cards offer insurance. Check the fine print and make sure what they cover and whether its primary or secondary coverage. For the best cower that include the theft or broken windshield get the CDW.
You can book your car through these companies:
Rentalcars.com , Auto Europe and Easycar.com
Practical Information
Driving License
A driving license issued in an EU country is valid throughout the EU. In most countries the minimum age for driving is 18 and if you are younger you will not be allowed to drive in those countries even if you hold a valid driving license from another country. In some countries, you will need to carry your vehicle registration document with you. Usually 20 is the minimum age for hiring the car.
Motor insurance
A green card is not necessary when traveling in the EU but it serves as internationally recognized proof of insurance and it makes it easier to claim compensation if you have an accident. If you do not take a green card with you, you should carry your certificate of insurance. The green card system currently covers 43 countries and is managed by an association of insurers. Their website gives further details about the green card system.
Safe Driving
Driving safely In all EU countries, it is compulsory to wear seat belts in both the front and back of the car. Remember that in France you normally have to give way to traffic coming from your right.
Using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of a fatal accident by five times. It is either explicitly or implicitly forbidden in all EU countries. In some countries, the use of hands-free devices is tolerated. The maximum permitted blood alcohol level varies between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.9 mg/ml in the majority of countries. Some countries, however, do not allow any alcohol in the blood while driving.
Recommended
When traveling overseas, consider renting a car with a GPS device that provides turn-by-turn driving directions using voice prompts. Alternatively, invest in a good map.
Driving Directions in France Viamichelin.com scan information on 4.4 million miles of road across 42 European countries. Maps feature pop-ups with descriptions and pictures of the desired destinations; directions include estimates about what you'll spend on gas; they even tip you off to speed traps.
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Flights versus train
Flying can save both time and money, especially on longer journeys. For shorter distances within France, the train is more practical. French high-speed train network is getting faster and faster and unlike flights will keep you close to the scenery, to France and the French.
Trains in France
French trains are often the fastest and cheapest way to travel within and between French cities. Riding the rail system throughout France is convenient and comfortable.
Train ride can be a destination in and of itself, offering relaxed vacation environment and adding the romance. They also make one of the most eco-friendly transportation options around.
The main train station in most French cities is right in the heart of the city, with easy access to many of the sights you will most want to see, as well as near the hotel you will be staying in. You don’t have to spend hours going to the airport and waiting for the flight. Transfers from the airport to your hotels are both time consuming and expensive. You can carry more luggage than on the plane.
Practical Information
When is the best time to buy tour tickets?
Most passes can be purchased anywhere from six months in advance to one week ahead. Since rail pass prices usually go up every January regardless of exchange rates, those traveling in the first half of the year, will probably save 5% or so by buying in December.
Buying ticket as you need them
Probably 10% of rail pass travelers would have traveled more cheaply by buying tickets as they went. You might be able to find some local discounts at off peak travel times, such as mid-day or mid-week. Choosing between first and second class? They are both comfortable and travel at precisely the same speed. You'll meet more locals in second class, and spend 50% less.
Advance purchase (at least a week or a month in advance) can save you money in Britain and France, on international trips from Italy, and on Belgium's Thalys trains. Eurostar "Chunnel" trains have no advance purchase deadline, but the best rates sell out early. Round trip travel discounts are available in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Kids ages 4 -11 get 50% ticket discounts in most of Europe, and under 4 always travel free on your lap. Rail passes offer similar values in each country. Youths ages 12-25 can get a special youth prices for most rail passes. Seniors aged 60 and over can find ticket deals, which may require a discount card purchased in Europe. Senior discounts on rail passes are rare.
Tips
Every train station has a train information office that can help you with your scheduling. The tourist information office is usually either in the station or nearby — pick up a map with sightseeing information and, if you need it, advice on where to find budget accommodations. Most stations have ATMs and money exchange desks open longer hours than those on the street. Major train station has storage lockers or a luggage-checking service where, for about $5 a day, you can leave your luggage. Make sure you know where to catch your train and where to get off. Many cities have more than one train station.
Safety: Many train travelers are ripped off while they sleep. Those sleeping for free in regular cars should exercise extreme caution. Wear your money belt and clip your bags to the luggage rack for safety. A couchette is safer because the car attendant monitors who comes and goes.
Couchette is a sleeping berth in a compartment. Reserve it, at least a day in advance from a local travel agency, the train station, or, if there are any available, from the conductor on the train. Whether you have a ticket or a rail pass, you must pay extra for a couchette or sleeper. It’s a great bargain starting at $30. Taking long train trips at night gives you an extra day to sightsee, saves you the cost of a hotel, and allows you to arrive early before the cheaper hotels fill up. A sleeper offers more privacy and comfort than a couchette. You'll pay from $40 to $150 on top of your ticket price for a berth in a one, two, or three-bed sleeper with a tiny sink. Every car has plenty of room for luggage. Simply carry it on and leave it up onto the racks above the seats.
Use train time wisely. Spend train time studying, reading, writing postcards or journal entries, eating and organizing your next day. Talk to local people or other travelers.
Rail Passes
There are many Rail passes available now, from regional select passes and single-country passes to partner passes for families to rail-and-drive combo bargain tickets. With a Euro rail Pass you can choose where and when you want to go. The full Euro rail pass allows you unlimited travel within a certain time period, such as three days or two weeks. With Select Pass, you can specify the number of days of travel in specific countries. Euro rail pass allows discounts on some bus lines, ferries and other services.
Many bargain passes must be purchased outside of Europe. There are some exceptions: Eurailpasses are sold at some of Europe's major railway stations for 10% more than the U.S. price. Some local passes are available only in Europe.
Our favorite Web site for checking timetables and booking tickets on European train lines is Raileurope. The site is easy to use, and provide all the options, details and prices. It also offer high speed trains and the Eurostar between London and Paris.
You can save up to 60% by purchasing passes instead of separate tickets for train and bus travel, and sometimes ferries, too.
Book them on Raileurope.co.uk
More places to see in France
Transportation in France
Resources
Britain: www.nationalrail.co.uk
France: SNCF
TGV A very fast French train.
Italy: www.trenitalia.com
Germany: bahn.hafas.de
Spain: horarios.renfe.es
Switzerland: www.sbb.ch
Austria: www.oebb.at
Sweden: www.sj.se
Thalys: www.thalys.com
Converting Currency Xe.com
Travel Insurance
Finding Good Deals In & From France
Check out some of these sites
More Travel Promotions from France
Flights
Netflights.com is a good place to search for hard to beat for long-haul bargain flights from London.
Cheaptickets.com is good for flight comparison and holiday offers. It also has a useful section listing new routes and seat sales, as well as some handy travel tips. not for europe
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