Transportation Costs to DLP- Airfare & Rental Car

[WDW Princess 71]

I am looking for advice on transporation costs to DLP. First, we are planning to fly from Barcelona to Paris at the end of our cruise. Right now fares are about 103 euros including taxes/fees/luggage. Is this a good price for a Thursday in July, or should I be waiting for a better deal? I am not familiar with flying within Europe so I really need advice.

Next, we are planning to rent a car upon arrival at the airport in Paris for our 4 night stay at DLP. Right now prices are around 120 euros for the car. This does not include gas or tolls. I see that the airport shuttle bus is a lot cheaper, but we really want the experience of driving a bit in France and also having the car to drive to dinner a few of the nights in neighboring towns to get away from the "American" food at DLP. Is this a good price for a rental car for 4 days or should I wait for a better deal? Any other transporation advice?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

If you are happy with the cost of your airfare buy it now as it will only go up as you get closer to your dates.

Car hire prices won't increase as they will always have cars. I don't know if you are requesting an automatic but if you are be prepared to get a manual as they do run out of automatics and they are never garanteed.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I really don't know if I should be happy with the airfare price because I am not familiar with the normal/ average airfare prices for this route from Barcelona to Paris. For example I am familiar with the flights from my home in New Jersey to Orlando for Disney World, I know around or less than $200 round trip is a good price. But I have no idea what is a good price from BCN to Paris. If I can get some feedback on that it would be very helpful.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Carrie thanks for the tip on the automatic. My dad can drive manual so we will be fine but thank you for the advice. In your opinion, does the price I said seem good for a 4 day car hire?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

What is the date and which airlines have you looked at ? Where did that price you have come from, Easy Jet or a regular company ?

Put it this way the prices won't go down for July as European holidays have started Italy and Spain (mid June), France first weekend of July and so on. That's why I said if you were happy (ie prepared to pay that ) I'd do it now.

I'll have a look on local flight search if you give me the date you are after and number of adults/child

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Carrie thanks for the tip on the automatic. My dad can drive manual so we will be fine but thank you for the advice. In your opinion, does the price I said seem good for a 4 day car hire?

We have our own car so I've never hired one, only vans for heavy things

Did you look at AutoEurope to compare the different vendors ?

http://www.autoeurope.com/

Don't forget insurance costs either as they can push the price up and try to get a diesel as it costs less to fill up than petrol.

Diesel is at 1.38€ a litre and Petrol at 1.58€ a litre - That's a supermarket price. If you buy it from a petrol station (ie Total) it can 20cts dearer at least

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Carrie,

The flight is on Thursday 25 July for 2 adults one way from Barcelona to Paris Orly. The price of 103 euros per person that I got was on Vueling including luggage. I checked easy jet and Ryan air and their prices were just a little lower but the flight departure times were not convenient.

Thanks for the tip about the diesel. In the US it is the opposite, diesel costs more. I did see a diesel car option on the rental site so we would definitely pick that. We are looking for the cheapest car option for 2 adults and 2 pieces of large luggage.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

The Vuelling flights are the ones with 23kg baggage included the Optima fare ?

If so I've not got anything cheaper other than Ryan air (who you don't ever want to fly with) or Easyjet (shame about the timing as they go into CDG and it's so much nearer to DLP)

I would be booking it at that price as you can see by looking at the calendars that the Optima fare for this route starts at 54.99€ then goes to 64.99€ and then 76.99€ and then 89.99€ and so on as they sell the seats

 

[Jonjo]

Last time I traveld from Barcelona to Paris I did it by train. It took six and half hours with one change and cost about €80. Somthing to think about if your not in a rush. And if you want to do the trip over night there is also a sleeper service available.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Carrie I also forgot to ask, do you know how much the tolls are each way from Orly to DLP and from DLP to CDG? I forgot I need to figure that into my cost of car hire also.