Unfortunately, the high oil prices and the recent airline bankruptcies have greatly reduced the number of travel bargains.
I won't go into great detail on purchasing airplane tickets. Others have already written books on the subject.
Comparison shopping has become even easier on the internet, whether you use www.Travelocity.com, www.Expedia.com, or www.Orbitz.com. You can also look at the websites for individual airlines to get airfares before booking.
In addition to these websites, there is a "new generation" of search engines that scan travel sites looking for bargains. These include www.Mobissimo.com, www.Qixo.com, Sidestep (which currently has options for cars and hotels only), www.Kayak.com and www.FareChase.com. Another source I have suggests www.LowesTravel.com, which specializes in booking last-minute international flights. I do not know how suitable these are for finding international bargains, but they're worth a chance--especially if the "main-stream" sites listed above are not yielding good fares.
Assuming you have some lead time before your trip, check fares frequently, as they can even change intra-day. If you're planning to travel in October, for example, start looking at fares in mid Summer, even though you really don't have to book until a month or so before your departure.
I'm still from the old school: I generally comparison shop via the internet and then book my ticket over the phone with a real person. The drawback is that internet-only fairs can be $20-50 lower.
Flying into Paris puts you closest to the sector--about two to two-and-a-half hours away, but it's also an extremely busy airport. You're about four hours away if you fly into Brussels.
It's general knowledge that your airfare will be most expensive during the height of the summer, when everyone is traveling, Europe is warmer, and days are longer. You can find real bargains (<$300 before taxes) in January and February, but you get the worst of Europe's weather and limited daylight.
My favorite time to go is in October or March/April. In most cases the fields are still clear, enhancing visibility, and the weather is pretty good.
Flying during midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) will likely also save you a few dollars versus flying on the weekend.
Make no mistake. You will need a car to visit the sector's battlefields, unless you are only going to Verdun, and you don’t plan to spend much time outside of the city.
Train service to Verdun's S.N.C.F. (French railroad) station is VERY limited.
In June 2007, the T.G.V. (French fast train) started operations between Paris and Strasbourg, including a new station entitled Meuse T.G.V., situated between Verdun and Bar le Duc.
It appears that the travel time from Paris Est to Meuse T.G.V. is only 59 minutes!
Tickets and information can be obtained on the Rail Europe website: http://www.raileurope.com under the "TGV East" heading.
The Conseil Général de la Meuse provides bus service between the Bar le Duc, Verdun and Meuse T.G.V. stations.
Unfortunately, I have virtually no rental car tips. I typically use Hertz or Avis, the two big domestic providers. Perhaps readers can give me some of their experiences.
Rick Steves strongly encourages travelers to pay extra for the CDW insurance, just for the peace of mind and to avoid any hassles. (Because you are driving in unfamiliar regions with unfamiliar traffic rules, your chance of an accident is much higher, even if you have good reflexes and are driving in the country.
Some credit card companies do give you free CDW insurance if you charge the rental on their card. However, rental companies could put a hold on your credit limit, which could affect your trip finances.
Rick Steves also suggests that you check into CDW insurance when you book your reservation. CDW is most expensive at the car rental desk.
Don’t expect a car with automatic transmission, unless you have specifically requested one.
If you request automatic transmission, you can expect to pay significantly more.
Europe is the exact opposite of the U.S.: Most cars have standard transmission. Europeans consider these cheaper and more fuel efficient. Both of these traits are necessary, in countries where car ownership and usage is very expensive.
Some people suggest that you get an international drivers license from your local AAA office. I have never done so, and I have never had a problem driving with my American driver's license in France, Belgium or Germany.
I have also never had a problem renting a car with only an American driver's license.
Perhaps other readers can share their good/bad experiences.
AAA is a great starting point for information on international rules of the road and international road signs. They might even have this information on the web, but I have not looked for that specifically.
Europe Drives on the right side of the road, just like we do.
Right of Way, except at roundabouts!
Savoir-Flair Tip No. 189: As in Paris, the road coming from the right has priority. Unless there is a traffic light, a stop sign, or a sign with a yellow triangle on your road, you must yield to the right.
Consider this example: you're on a major road, a nationale, and a car turns into it from the right, from a small road, without stopping. It is your fault if anything happens. This is a most dangerous surprise for foreigners on French roads.
Note: A Frenchman responded by saying, "I drive up to 60 000 miles per year and I have never seen a small (departementale) road having priority on a larger (Nationale) one. A stop sign mean absolute priority for the other crossing traffic, the "priorite" sign mean the other driver can drive through provided he has time to do so."
In roundabouts, however, the priority is for cars already inside. They will usually be marked with a sign cédez le passage. (yield passage)
On the Autoroutes (inter-state highways) stay out of the Left Lane! Most Americans are terrible at maintaining right-lane discipline: i.e. keeping right except to pass. Europe is just the opposite. Cars should only be traveling the right lane to pass, AND if a faster car is approaching from behind , you should get into the left lane ASAP. Police also enforce right-lane discipline.
Speed Limits: Unless marked, 130km (about 90mph) on the Autoroutes, 90km (about 55mph) on other roads, and 50km (about 30) in villages.
While Americans navigate with directions and route numbers, the French navigate via towns. Thus, it is essential to know the towns that are on the way to where you want to go. You will find signs directing you to those towns. It is highly unlikely that you will find signs to your end destination, until you get relatively close.
The Michelin maps are ideal maps for driving, because of the level of detail they provide. See the bibliography section.
Driving in unfamiliar territory with different road signs and laws can be quite a challenge—especially if you’re trying to navigate at the same time. It just makes good common sense to have a co-pilot who can help you navigate and avoid any unforeseen problems.
Be ready for sticker shock. Gasoline will cost about $1.00 - $1.25 per liter, or about $4.00 - $4.50 per gallon. (1 gallon = 3.78 liters)
Tip: Many of my European contacts fill up at the hypermarkets and supermarkets such as Cora on the outskirts of Verdun.
If the police pull you over for speeding or other violations, they can insist on immediate cash payment or send you to jail.
This happened to a friend of a friend. However, she was able to pay her fine via credit card. The policeman simply scanned it in his car.
I have heard numerous warnings about locals spotting and robbing non-local cars, especially those that are clearly from another country or marked as a rental car. Why take a chance. Lock your car if you’re going to venture off to a site.
Also, keep your valuables in the trunk and out of site.