car rental in Europe

[phail]

anyone have any experience with renting a car in west/central europe.

any positive/easy experiences appreciated and would help me save time sifting thru the internet.

thanks all. hoop .

 

[Caveman]

I don't think there is any huge difference among the major rental companies. I have used Hertz and Europcar before and they are both good.

 

[onthebottom]

I used Hertz in Paris to drive to the South of France and back.... effortless. Get ready for $7-8 a gallon....

OTB

BTW, nice sig pic

 

[cynalan]

I rented a car in Rome a few years ago. Not really any different than renting a car here. Agree with the gas comment. Prepare for sticker shock.

 

[CapitalGuy]

I'll jump on the "its easy to rent a car in Europe" bandwagon. Same companies as here, same procedures. Shop online before you go and book through the international 1-800 number for the best rates. Or, expedia etc.

The only weird thing to worry about is where insurance is valid. Tell the rental company what countries you plan to visit. Some companies won't let you take their car to places with high car theft rates, like Romania or Bulgaria.

 

[alexmst]

The only weird thing to worry about is where insurance is valid. Tell the rental company what countries you plan to visit. Some companies won't let you take their car to places with high car theft rates, like Romania or Bulgaria.

Yes, I noticed that too. I rented a Mercedes Benz in Germany at Munich airport (1998) and said I was going to use in in Germany for a few days then drive to Italy for a week, then back to the airport to drop it off. They said they didn't let the Mercedes go into Italy due to high theft rates for Mercedes cars with German plates there, and they wouldn't insure it if I took it to Italy, so their solution was when I was done driving in Germany I could go to one of their lots and switch cars to a cheaper make of car that they would insure in Italy, and drive that to Italy instead of the Mercedes. That's what I ended up doing. They said at the rental office a rental Mercedes with German plates wouldn't last one day parked on the street in Italy without being stolen.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I prefer to drive automatic cars

 

[Thunderballs]

My only experience with this was in the UK. I booked a mid-size car online from here and when I got there it was ready and waiting. Signing the rental agreement at the counter though was not as straight forward as here as they had several different insurance packages with various deductibles. Being tired after a long flight I finally said, listen what package do I need to basically drive it into a wall, give you back the key and we're good. They said this one and that is the one I took which also entitled me to an upgrade in class. I can't remember which company it was with but it was one of the big ones like Hertz or Avis.

 

[Mr. Lucky]

My only experience with this was in the UK. I booked a mid-size car online

 

[moresex4me]

Do yourself a favour and rent a diesel. Rented a diesel Mercedes in Italy, drove all over, was great on fuel, and trust me prices are high.

And be prepared to drive a manual. For me, that was fun, I haven't owned a manual transmission car for 12 years.

 

[danmand]

I am driving a budget car on my trip now. Budget turned out to be
quite a bit cheaper than the others, I don't know why. Make sure you use
a CC that gives you collission damage waiver insurance, as it will add substantially to
your cost, if you have to buy it from the rental company.

I have earlier many times used Hertz, Avis and Europecar. They are all
good, and I have never had a problem. Go for the cheapest, thereb are
sometimes differences in cost.

 

[phail]

Thanks all. I appreciate the advice.

 

[doggee_01]

use the major companys like hertz avis etc.take their insurance(the drive it into a wall and give back the key)- nice wording thunderballs-last thing you need in europe is a hassle with the car or your gold card credit card co. GET A DIESEL i find it cheaper to rent the car over there rather than from over here (in england anyway)

 

[Meister]

In Frankfurt Thrifty is consistently cheaper than anybody else, but you have to take a 15 min. shuttle. They usually have better cars too.

Be careful with little scratches, they actually do check in Europe for dings and scratches.

 

[renaissance]

Europecar

i used eurocar never had any difficulties and I always take pictures of my auto with my digital camera befor leaving the lot

 

[Nickelodeon]

Agree with Hertz, Avis and Eurocar....as well as the digital photo's. You'll likely get a diesel and a manual transmission because that's usually what's in the fleet. Auto transmission is extra, I think.

Big decision for you will also be GPS, which is invaluable. Once you have it you can't go back.

You can also buy a GPS here with N.A. and European maps.

 

[Hangman]

Make sure they can change the GPS language to English, or you'll have a hell of a time

 

[phail]

thanks boys. good suggestions.

 

[C Dick]

I have a Hertz Gold Club, but the Hertz rates in Europe were crap, even the Hertz guys said I would be better off elsewhere. We used AutoEurope, they were pretty good. Be aware of the size difference, we kept pushing for a giant car, the biggest we could do was a BMW 518. It was an automatic, though a standard would have been fine.

I put a nasty scratch in the door (leaving FKK Oase, I must have been tired), there was a lot of discussion, but in the end, no charge.

 

[raydeon]

I have not rented a car in Europe for the last 20 years. I buy one instead at the beginning of my trip and resell it at the end. Cost 50% less than renting. You can do that with major car makers such as Renault, Citroen, Peugeot...etc...
You get a brand new car, fully insured, 24 hrs. service included. You can have the car delivered at the airport or pick it up at a downtown location. Simple, efficient and cheaper.