Car/MC/scooter rental in Europe:

[speeder]

Planning a trip for next month and just wondering if anyone has suggestions for the best rental outfits for various types of vehicles. Most likely in Paris, but experience with operations elsewhere in Europe also appreciated.

We usually just rent scooters in Paris but might want a small car to take some trips south. I've never had to rent a car in Europe, are there companies that offer unlimited kilometers, like Enterprise in the U.S.?

TIA for any advice.

[speeder]

Links to other threads are welcome is this has already been covered somewhere. Thanks.

[Rick Lee]

I always rent a car there and always reserve it here, usually on Kayak. I've never seen one that limited kms unless it was an exotic. It can be a lot cheaper to pick up a car away from an airport or train station, as those places usually have a much higher use tax on rental cars. Sometimes it's a wash if you can find the right deal, but a few times I've save more than $100 by taking a taxi from the airport to a car rental place in town, but still return it to the airport. Done a lot of one-way rentals too. FWIW, I've never had a worse driving experience than in Paris. It's utter chaos to drive there.

[speeder]

I love driving in Paris. It's one big amusement park if you know the city. Of course I think the same thing about driving in NYC.

[LWJ]

We just rented in Italy. Hertz. My wife coordinated and pre-paid. It was 144 euro for 4 days out of Florence. Seemed cheap.

My buddy says Costco gives killer deals on international rentals as well.

Have fun!
Larry

[Rick Lee]

For this last trip I paid Hertz about $560 in advance for 24 days, picked up in Munich, dropped off in Duesseldorf. Be sure to use a credit card that gives you collision coverage. The only time I touched the credit card I used for the rental car was when picking it up in Munich and I think the lady double swiped it. 10 days later the card was shut down after a 4000 Euro fraud purchase. I still don't know if I had collision coverage for the rest of that trip because that card was shut down, but I didn't have any damage. BTW, gas in France is way more expensive than in Germany, which is already about double what it is here. If I have to go to Paris again, I will not be driving. The rest of France is totally civilized driving. I've driven in NYC plenty of times and in Italy a few times too. Paris is insane.

[Dottore]

There are some very hot little Peugots and Citroens available to rent in France. These can be an absolute blast to drive.

Driving in France is all about attitude. It's a race, and everyone wants to win.

Some of the finest driving I've done in my life has been in rental cars in France.

As Rick says, make sure your credit card covers the insurance.

[slodave]

When are you going to be there, Denis. I'll be in Germany/Belgium Sept 10-20.

[speeder]

Driving, or riding a MC or scooter, in Paris is fine once you adjust to the rhythm of the place. That is where I've spent most of my time in Europe and I can fit right in with my style of driving, which is derived from years of hooning combined with lots of urban cab driving experience. Plus most of it is scootering around St. Germaine and the neighborhoods along the Rive Gauche. Lane-splitting and just about anything else goes.

Slodave, won't be in those places, just France and Italy. Maybe London for a day and night.

[slodave]

That's just too bad now, innit. I'm meeting up with a couple of the Belgian guys and planning to meet one of them near the French boarder... It would nice to see you in Europe.

[Paco Anton]

You can just reserve with one of the big rent-a-car companies like Hertz, Avis, Europcar, or Sixt. Unlimited mileage should not be a problem but you will probably not be able to pickup in one country and drop off in another.

If you want a "special" car (such as a Mini, BMW Series 1 or Audi A1) expect to pay a premium.

[imcarthur]

For cars, Auto Europe is the largest broker - Sixt, Europcar are others. They are typically cheaper than Hertz, Avis et al directly but you pick up the car at Avis etc. I have used them for many rentals. They will also price match/better any quote from any other legitimate company. I just use CC insurance unless the country requires more (Italy does). And the UK website will often give you cheaper prices than the US version.

Ian

[Joeaksa]

Get a GPS with a European chip in it and like Rick says, rent it here.

Go to AAA and get an international drivers license but have never been hassled there anyways.

[Dottore]

Sixt has the coolest cars IMO.

They're German, so not sure how well represented they are in France.

[tevake]

A couple of years ago I rented a Volvo wagon in central Germany for a trip down to Stuttgart. Then across most of France heading to Le Mans. Then back to central Germany. Used Euro-car, pretty good service. I had requested a Passat wagon and had confirmation. Then when I arrived for pick up they didn't have the Passat available, so I had to upgrade to the very nice Volvo wagon ( was planning on car camping on route and for the Classic weekend). they split the difference in cost with me.
The funny thing was the Nav system onboard. It would not accept any destination in France, Didn't have maps of France, just didn't want to go there. Once I was ready for the trip back from Le Mans and input a destination in Germany suddenly it had all of the details in France and was happy to guide me thru France as long as I was heading out of France. So much for European unity.
All in all I was happy with Euro-car. I rented at a small city, so cant speak to their prices at a major airport. They do seem to be in most parts of western Europe.

Cheers Richard

[Langers]

Panamera turbo from Sixt. Just prepare yourself for the gas bills!!!

[speeder]

Oh, I'll be renting the dinkiest little TDI I can get if I rent anything. I want a micro car.

[speeder]

What's the story with all of the extra coverage they want to sell me that costs as much as the rental car per day? Does U.S. auto insurance cover anything in Europe or do I need to buy all this expensive "waiver" schit? Thanks.

[Rick Lee]

I don't think US insurance covers you, but your credit card should. And, at least in Germany, all rental cars come with liability already built in to the price. They cannot be on the road without liability.

[motion]

My Liberty Mutual won't cover me out of the US, but I always book the rental with my AMEX. I have a separate thing with them I signed up for. Its a flat rate of $17.00 per rental and gives me 100% coverage with 0 deductible.