rent from amsterdam drop in Paris

We are weighing the difference between train and auto as we go from Amsterdam to Brussels to brugge to Reims then drop in Paris CDG before spending 4 days in paris Anythoughts on companies? is it easy to drive. What type of license do you need? Insurance?

Thanks

John

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Hopefully, you have priced out the trains and compared to car rental that will also include a %26quot;drop off fee%26quot;, my understanding is that could run into the %26quot;hundreds%26quot;..

The train from Amsterdam to Brussels is easy and takes about 3.25 hours. Brussels -Bruges is a one-hour each way trip. Brussels-Paris is non-stop and one-ish hours, so you%26#39;d have to plan the Reims portion from Paris rather than before Paris. Or you could consider renting a car for a one-day excursion to/from Reims, so you could get around to various champagne houses. (someone needs to be designated driver, penalties are very severe for drinking/driving).

We have only driven in Europe once, in France, and it wasn%26#39;t what I would call %26quot;easy%26quot; but we did enjoy it. However, we stayed completely on small back roads (2-lanes) and no highways except one stretch to return the car. Signage looks different and is placed different, so you can%26#39;t rely on automatic reactions, in my opinion. Also, we chose to drive because there isn%26#39;t good train connections between smaller towns/chateau. For all the places you are listing, there are good train connections.

We got an Int%26#39;l Drivers Permit from AAA - that is usually recommended so any police who wish to view your documents can interpret your license, and if they were to confiscate it for some reason, you would still have your *real* driving license.

Rental insurance is another discussion with a wide variety of opinions. It is difficult to buy truely full coverage ($0 deductible) and there is difference of opinion as to whether it is best to buy CDW for piece of mind or waive it and declare your credit card to be the provider of the insurance. Read the credit card policy carefully if you think you are going that direction; they are not all the same.