Ride ‘n’ Drive in France

French National Railroads and Avis are continuing their seven- and 15-day France rail and drive passes this year. Introduced in 1988, these passes allow travelers to mix both forms of travel on a non-consecutive-day basis. Two people have to travel together on this pass.

The seven-day pass permits four days of train travel and three days of using the car in a 15-day period. Neither the four train days or three rental-car days have to be used consecutively, allowing for a good deal of flexibility.

Similarly, the 15-day pass provides nine days of train travel and six days of car rental, which have to be used within a one-month period. Both the 15-day and one-month periods begin with the first use of the pass.

The seven-day pass costs $179 (all prices are per person), using first-class rail travel, compared to $149 last year. With second-class rail travel the price is $149, up from $129 in 1988. The 15-day pass is $299 for first-class rail travel, $249 for second-class. These rates were $259 and $219, respectively, last year.

Unlimited Mileage

The passes also include unlimited mileage with the rental car, plus the value-added tax. The cars can be returned at any Avis outlet without a drop-off charge.

There is also a new train/car/air pass that permits four days of rail travel, three days’ car rental and one day of unlimited air travel on Air Inter for $199 per person, based on two people traveling together. The travel doesn’t have to be on consecutive days.

French National Railroads is continuing its four- and nine-day passes this year, but dropping its 16-day program.

The four-day pass, which has to be used within a 15-day period, costs $134 first-class and $99 second-class, up from $110 and $85. The nine-day pass, to be used within a one-month period, is priced at $224 first-class and $160 second-class. Rates in 1988 were $190 and $140.

The four- and nine-day passes also include such extra perks as round-trip airport transfers, Metro transfers (one day on the four-day pass, two days on the nine-day pass), admission to the Pompidou Museum and a 50% discount on Seine River excursion boats.