Europe > 🇫🇷  France > Avignon TGV (XZN)

TL;DR: Better to rent outside station
car v no car
car v no car
The Car or no Car advice for  Avignon TGV can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Avignon TGV ;  is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).

🚆 🚌⛴️ Do you need to rent a car in Avignon TGV ?

These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t strictly need to rent a car.

🇫🇷 Mode

Score

🚆 Trains - includes all types of inter-city rail based transport: High-speed rail hub with national connections. trains score 8
🚌 Bus & Metro - includes bus rapid transit, trams, suburban rail and metro / subway: Local bus links focus on station access. buses score 4
👀 Guided Tours - includes bus or car based private tours and guided walking tours: Tours often use the station as an entry point. walking score 6
🚶‍♂️ Walking - includes both urban walking and rural hiking: Area around station is not pedestrian-focused. walking score 4
🚴 Cycling - includes urban cycling and bike share + rural cycling. Considers safety and hire availability: Cycling possible but infrastructure is basic. cycling score 4
⛴️ Ferries & Cruises - includes river crossings, dinner cruises, lake steamers etc (not long duration cruise packages): No ferries or water transport. ferries score 0
  • For all transport modes, a score of 0 = very poor or none available; 10 = outstandingly good.

💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Avignon TGV?

These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.

🇫🇷 Factor

Score

🚗 Car Availability & Cost - is there a wide choice of self-drive rental cars at decent prices? Rentals possible but limited at station. car rental availability score 4
⛽ Fuel & Toll Costs - Expensive fuel and toll roads. Typical: $7/gal | 1.85 €/l fuel and tolls score 4
🛣️ Road Quality - High-quality French roads. road quality score 7
⚠️ Road Safety - Strong national road safety record. road safety score 9
🅿️ Parking Availability & Cost - Parking restricted and paid. parking score 5
  • For all factors, a score of 0 = very poor; 10 = outstandingly good


Avignon TGV Car Rental Costs

J F M A M J J A S O N D
3 3 4 4 4 5 6 6 5 4 4 4
Price bands:
  • From 1 ($0-10 per day) to 10 ($90-100 per day);
  • For typical cheapest available economy hire car;
  • Jan - Mar 2027 / Apr - Dec 2026.
  • Prices correct as of Feb 2026 - estimates only, not a guarantee.
🚗Do we need a car in Avignon TGV? Is it worth it? Should we rent one? | Comment
Avignon TGV is a high-speed rail station located a few kilometres outside the historic centre. Trains arrive from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and beyond. The station is modern, efficient, and extremely well connected — but it is not in walking distance of the old town. Because of this, many new arrivals wonder whether they should pick up a rental car immediately or transfer by shuttle. So, should you rent a car at Avignon TGV? The answer depends on whether you plan to explore Provence or simply head into the city. Since Avignon TGV is built for onward travel, your choice matters.


🚇 Why You Don’t Always Need a Car at Avignon TGV

A shuttle tram and buses link Avignon TGV directly with:

  • Avignon Centre

  • The walled old town

  • Hotels in the city

Transfers are quick and inexpensive.

In short: if you’re staying in Avignon itself, skip the car at the station.


🚆 Perfect for Rail-Based Trips

Avignon TGV is ideal for rail travellers.
You can reach:

  • Arles

  • Nîmes

  • Montpellier

  • Marseille

  • Lyon

  • Paris

All without driving.

➡ You do not need a car if you plan to explore cities by train.


🚗 When Renting a Car at the Station Helps

A car becomes very useful if your next move takes you into rural Provence.
A rental car helps for:

  • Luberon villages

  • Lavender fields

  • Mont Ventoux

  • Vineyard exploration

  • Remote B&Bs and gîtes

Because the station sits outside town and has wide access roads, picking up a car here is often easier than navigating the old city’s parking restrictions.

➡ For countryside trips, renting at Avignon TGV is often the smartest choice.


🏙️ Arriving Late? Renting at the Station Is Convenient

If you arrive late and want to reach a rural hotel, the station’s car rental desks are practical.
Parking is simple and signage is clear.

➡ Evening arrivals often benefit from picking up a car immediately.


🧭 Quick Decision Table

Your Plan After Arriving at Avignon TGV Car Needed?
Going into Avignon’s walled centre ❌ No
Using trains to nearby cities ❌ No
Staying in a central hotel ❌ No
Exploring Luberon or lavender routes ❔ Optional
Visiting rural Provence villages ❔ Optional
Full Provence road trip ✅ Yes

🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car at Avignon TGV?

  • ❌ Skip the car if you plan to go straight into Avignon and use trains for day trips to Arles, Nîmes, or Marseille.

  • ❔ Consider renting a car if you are heading deep into Provence, because the station is an easy and convenient place to start a road trip.

In the end…

Avignon TGV is one of France’s best hubs for both rail and road. You can enjoy a car-free city break or begin a beautiful Provençal drive the moment you step off the train.


Search for Car Rental in Avignon TGV with Economy Bookings .com

🚗Do we need a car in Avignon TGV? Is it worth it? Should we? | Comment

🚗 ✅ ❌ Summary Table

This summary score brings together how much you really need a car, whether it’s worth it, and an overall recommendation.

🇫🇷 Factor

Score

Road Trips - Is Avignon TGV a good place to start a road trip? Same region but rail-oriented arrival road trip score 6
Road Trip Length - How long might a typical road trip last? | In a loop / out and back / one way? 3–4 days - Loop Provence with off-site pickup

🔁

Structures - Are there loads of impressive bridges and tunnels around Avignon TGV? Modern rail and road infrastructure structures score 6
🚦 Overall Need for a Car - Is it necessary to hire a car in Avignon TGV? (high score = yes). need score 3
💶 Is It Worth It? - High score = good value worth score 8
Partial car rental doodle Partial Rental: Is it worth renting a car in Avignon TGV for some of the time, rather than all or nothing (e.g. for a 7 day trip)?

3/7

Do most people visiting Avignon TGV rent a car? (From 0 to 10). worth score 4
🚗Should You Rent a Car in Avignon TGV?
overall should you rent a car score 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Visited? – Have we visited Avignon TGV in person (year)? 2001
  • How do we define "road trips" and suggest their duration?
Updates – When was this page last updated:
  • Automatic*: Feb-26
  • Manual*: Oct-25
  • Automatic = update of table data; Manual = update of page text | How do we update pages ?
What are the general advantages and disadvantages of renting a car in any location?
  • Pros include – time freedom, wider access, often best value for groups of 4–7.
  • Cons include – hassle of driving on unfamiliar roads and parking, often expensive for solo travellers and couples, less environmentally friendly than public transport.
I'm still not sure whether or not to rent a car in Avignon TGV – can you offer more advice?
  • We always welcome comments using the form below.
  • Unfortunately we can’t take phone calls or answer individual emails.
Can you advise us on how to get the best car rental deal in Avignon TGV?
  • Our most useful advice is not to rent a car you don’t need!
  • After that, our advice is similar to what you would expect anywhere else – book well ahead, use your own CDW insurance, watch out for fuel contracts, avoid fines and shop around.

👍🏾 / 👎🏻 Will You Rent a Car in Avignon TGV?

Will you rent a car?Would you rent a car in Avignon TGV, or would you rely on tours or public transport instead? Everyone travels differently, and the right choice often depends on where you’re going, how long you’re staying, and what kind of trip you’re planning.

Hopefully this page has given you a quick, practical overview of the pros and cons of renting a car in Avignon TGV, and whether it’s really necessary or not. Maybe it’s helped you make up your mind — or maybe you’ve already visited and have insights to share.

We always welcome comments, questions, and comparisons with other cities.

All feedback is read, and any questions or clarifications are usually replied to within 24 hours.  

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *