The “last mile” problem nobody warns you about — and how to solve it when you’re traveling with a mountain of luggage.
One thing that catches a lot of people off guard when moving to France is deceptively simple: how do you actually get yourself from the airport to your first landing place when your entire life is packed into suitcases?
With the 13 suitcases from emptying our storage unit. We had to borrow my brother’s truck to get to the airport in Colorado!
When the three of us first arrived in Bordeaux, we had six suitcases, three backpacks, and a cat. When we went back later to collect the rest of our things, we showed up with 13 suitcases and three backpacks. In both cases, that was far more than would fit in a standard taxi — and way too much to manage on public transportation while jet-lagged and overwhelmed.
Here are the options that actually work.
Book a private car service
If you’re staying in or near the city you’re landing in, a private car service is the most stress-free option. We used Blacklane when we landed in Bordeaux and loved it. You can book online, specify exactly how much luggage you have, request a larger vehicle, and they’ll meet you at baggage claim — bags and all. Their rates are reasonable, and they operate in most major French cities. Knowing someone was waiting for us with enough room for six suitcases and a cat was an enormous relief after a transatlantic flight.
Juliana chillin’ in the Blacklane van we booked from Bordeaux airport with our cat Grits. It was such a relief to know there would be someone waiting for us with enough room for all of us plus six suitcases!
Ship bags ahead with Send My Bag
Send My Bag lets you ship personal belongings from the U.S. and receive them in France about a week later. The timing takes a little planning — you’ll need to make sure you’re in the right place to receive them — but it’s a smart option if you’re picking up a lease car at the airport that won’t fit everything. Bring your essentials on the plane and ship the overflow ahead.
Rent a one-way car for the extra load
If you’re collecting a lease car at the airport but need to drive a couple of hours to your destination and everything won’t fit, consider a second one-way rental just to get the extra luggage there. Europcar tends to have competitive one-way rates, though others are worth comparing.
Another approach: rent a larger car for just the first two or three days, deliver everything to your landing place, then return it and pick up your longer-term — probably much smaller — lease car. A little extra coordination, but it solves the problem cleanly.
Porter services
If you’re a solo traveler and just need an extra pair of hands to get through the airport and into a taxi or rental car, porter services exist for exactly this — particularly in Paris. We don’t have a specific recommendation, but they’re worth searching for if you’re arriving alone with a lot of luggage.
If you decide to take the train
Taking the train from a major hub like Paris to a smaller destination is completely doable — but requires a different approach to luggage.
Travel with only as much as you can move in a single trip. That’s realistically a maximum of two bags per person in your group. If possible, upgrade to first class — there’s generally more luggage space, and the price difference is often smaller than you’d expect. You can search routes, check schedules, and book tickets directly on the SNCF website — it’s the official French rail booking platform and the most reliable place to compare times and fares.
One thing to know about connecting trains: regional services may stop on the platform for only a few minutes. You’ll need to board, find luggage space, and get settled quickly. There’s no time to wrestle with five bags. First class or assigned seating is rarely available on regional trains — they run more like buses, and if the train is full you may end up standing near the door with your bags. To avoid this, steer clear of peak commuter hours and the days immediately before and after holidays.
This is the final leg of what has probably been a very long process. You’ll be excited, exhausted, and a little amazed you actually made it. Do yourself a favor and plan this last mile before you land. Future you will be very grateful.
Baguettes and butter 4eva — Raina❤️
