getting to Aurillac and getting a rental car.

We are spending a week in the Massif Central so thought we would get a train to Aurillac and then hire a car for the week. Any suggestions on a rental company? Europcar? What is the easiest way to get to Aurillac from Paris? There are 3 of us- would it be cheaper to hire a car in Paris and drive from there?

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It would be simple to take the train, you will need to change in Brive, allow 6 hours for the journey. Buy tickets far in advance for the best deals.

Renting a car in Paris may suit you, once out of the city the driving is straightforward and a car is essential for touring the Auvergne. Remember fuel is expensive and there are also motorway tolls to consider.

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Thanks, after trying to comprehend the SNCF website I thought we might hire a car in Paris and drive all they way. I gather petrol is about 1.16 E/litre- two more questions are they many motorway tolls between Paris and Aurillac? And where would be a good place in Paris to collect the car from?

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Diesel is cheaper and more efficient than gasoline, many rental cars are diesel now.

Generally the big supermarkets are the cheapest place to fill up, the motorway service areas the most expensive.

As for best place to rent a car, I would not know, I usually get mine from Europcar at Place d%26#39;Italie or Avis at Gare de Lyon (had big problems last time though). It depends where you are staying and how comfortable you are at driving in the big city.

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Hope I am not getting into too much detail but we are staying in the Marais and heading South so Place d%26#39;Italie would be heading in the right direction wouldn%26#39;t it?

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Pretty much the correct direction. The reason I like to pick up there is because you can drive straight down Avenue d%26#39;Italie, and get on the A6 motorway without spending much effort on the manic ring road.

From their you can continue on A6 south or connect easily with the A10 south also.

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and the rental car agency says %26quot;a key box is available when the agency Place d%26#39;Italie is closed.

You can drop the vehicle key at any time in this box with no extra fee.%26quot; so it%26#39;s good. Thanks for the suggestion.

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