French motor rail can get your car to your vacation destination.
If you want to drive a car on vacation in France but don't want to spend your entire trip behind the wheel, motor rail may be the answer. This service allows you to drop off your vehicle in the center of Paris, travel by air or train to your destination elsewhere in the country, then pick up your car there. As of 2010, ticket prices start at the equivalent of about $100.
Online
The easiest way to book a motor rail ticket is via the website of France's national railway service, SNCF. The site explains the procedures and lists the prices. Your reservation must be settled by telephone or in a station within 48 hours.
Telephone
You can also call the SNCF's reservation line to book and pay for your ticket. Dial 36 35 and say "auto train" if calling from France. From outside France, dial +33 892 35 35 35. As of 2010, either call will cost 34 euro cents per minute, plus any charges levied by your operator. The advantage is that you can have your ticket mailed to you if you reserve four days ahead in France or seven days ahead outside the country.
Station
The most straightforward way to buy a ticket is at any train station in France, using a credit card or cash. If you don't want to stand in line, you can use one of the automatic kiosks to book your ticket by following the instructions on the touch screen. In that case, payment must be made by credit card.
