Car Rentals at Pau Airport

Pau Airport is one of the smaller airports in France, but has a very significant location, providing access to a large variety of popular towns and cities and other areas of attraction. The airport has been officially named as the Pau-Pyrénées Airport, as it is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of the country, and has the airport code of PUF. Sometimes, it is referred to as the Pau-Béarns Airport, or even as the Uzein Airport. It is found just 10km, or 6.2 miles north-west of Pau, and in the commune of Uzein. Although buses and taxis are available, travelling the area is best in a rented car, from one of the Pau Airport car hire companies. The airport car rental companies all offer competitive rental rates for passengers, as well as high quality vehicles.

The airport has a single terminal building, with areas for arriving and departing passengers, and the Pau Airport car rental companies are found in the arrivals hall, next to the shops and restaurant. They include Hertz, Avis, National, Europcar, Alamo, Easycar and Auto Europa, which are all internationally recognised companies with rental locations throughout Europe and in other parts of the world. Car rental is convenient, as the rented cars are parked in a specially reserved area, within easy walking distance of the terminal. Simply go to the rental counters of your chosen company, select your vehicle and begin your business or holiday trip, or, make an advanced reservation online for lower rental rates.

In a rented car is the best way to explore the Pyrénées region of France and beyond, as excellent roads link all the main towns and cities of the area. The airport is conveniently located nearby a number of significant attractions, and within easy driving distance of many popular tourist areas. The Sanctuary of Lourdes is one of the amazing places in the area not to be missed, and is just a forty minute drive away. Tarbes to the north of Lourdes can be reached in forty minutes as well. To the west are the coastal cities of Biarritz, Bayonne and Anglet, the last major seaside resorts before the border of Spain, and just over an hour’s drive from the airport on the A64 Autoroute. Areas an hour away include the beaches of Landes, Dax, Mont de Marsan, Salies de Béarn, Navarrenx, Gourette, Artouste and La Pierre St Martin. Cities a bit further from Pau Airport include Toulouse and Bordeaux, and Jaca in Spain is about an hour and a half’s drive. Pau provides a gateway to the ski resorts of the Pyrénées, the Pyrenean National Park and Gers, just inland of Pau. Each area and city mentioned has its own special attractions, and is visited by thousands, if not millions, of local and international tourists each year.

The Pau Airport car rental companies will require their primary renters and additional drivers registered on the rental contract to be at least 21 years of age, however, certain car groups offered have a higher age requirement, usually 25 years of age or older. These car categories may contain larger vehicles, or specialty type vehicles, such as convertibles, SUVs or luxury models. Persons younger than 25 will also pay higher rental rates, for young drivers insurance. Young driver surcharges are an amount applicable to each day of car hire and each ‘underage’ driver on the contract, usually up until a maximum of ten rental days. All persons driving the rented car will need to be present for its collection, and show a valid drivers license which has been held for a year prior to the rental date in their country of residence. All licenses printed in English are usually accepted, but confirm with your car rental company if an International Driving Permit is required. A major credit card (American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard, Mastercard or Visa) will be used for payment of the vehicle, and customers will need to arrange adequate car insurance if it is not included in their quote, for example, collision damage waiver and theft protection. Automatically included is usually third party liability insurance, and most vehicles hired come with unlimited mileage and 24-hour emergency breakdown assistance.

Smaller vehicles hired are often more affordable, and may be similar to the Renault Twingo, Opel Corsa, Citroen C3, Peugeot 207, VW Polo and the Volkswagen Golf. They are found in the Mini, Economy or Compact categories, and are ideal choices for single drivers, couples or families who don’t have too much luggage to load. They are capable of travelling all distances, and are generally light on fuel and eco-friendly, with some nice features that may include air conditioning, power steering and folding rear seats. Larger vehicles hired could be similar to the Citroen C5, VW Passat, Renault Laguna, Renault Scenic and the Mercedes Class C, while vans for groups of travellers or large families are available as well. They include the Opel Zafira, Renault Espace, Citroen C8, Renault Traffic Combi, Opel Vivaro and Mercedes Viano. Convertibles, SUVs and Premium vehicles are offered by some of the car hire companies as well.

Vehicles in certain car categories may include a satellite navigation system in their rentals, which is a wonderful device for any driver who is unfamiliar with this region of France, or customers can request to have a GPS unit for their rented car. Child seats for younger travellers are also available, and from most of the car rental companies of Pau Airport, hand controls for disabled drivers can be arranged. Hand controls are free of charge, but will require an advanced reservation. Sometimes it is more convenient for a customer to return their vehicle to a different car hire location, as they will not be driving back to the airport. One way hires are then the best option, and allows the vehicle to be delivered elsewhere. Vehicles hired from this airport location can be driven to all parts of France, and to other European countries as well.

Contact your favourite Pau car hire company for all further details required.