Car rental in Caen?
May 1st, 2016, 08:41 AM
#1
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Car rental in Caen?
My family is arriving in Caen by ferry the morning of 9June and would like to rent a car for our stay in Normandy. The railstation is the best rental place for us, as we will take the shuttle from the ferry terminal to the train/bus station. Is AutoEurope a reputable place to arrange for car rental? Does anyone have a preference between Hertz, Europcar and Avis? We will be returning our car back to the train station on Sunday 12 June and taking the train to Paris and then onto Munich.
May 1st, 2016, 10:24 AM
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When I used to rent cars in Europe, I had a preference for AutoEurope, a broker that might have hooked me up with any of those vendors. They're all fine. I'd just take the best price, which AutoEurope will meet or beat.
Returning a car on a Sunday could be a problem, as car rental companies are generally closed on Sundays in Europe. Have you looked into that?
Returning a car on a Sunday could be a problem, as car rental companies are generally closed on Sundays in Europe. Have you looked into that?
May 1st, 2016, 10:26 AM
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Yes, Autoeurope is reputable.
As for companies, those are all major names, when I rent a car I really don't care who it is, I go with the cheapest price, as long as they have the same location and other options are equal. In France, I've only had Europcar but that's because I wasn't given a choice, the company was assigned by Autoeurope or Kemwel based on the location I chose. Autoeurope now gives you choice of company, I believe, but they didn't used to. I still wouldn't care among those three choices, I only go on price.
As for companies, those are all major names, when I rent a car I really don't care who it is, I go with the cheapest price, as long as they have the same location and other options are equal. In France, I've only had Europcar but that's because I wasn't given a choice, the company was assigned by Autoeurope or Kemwel based on the location I chose. Autoeurope now gives you choice of company, I believe, but they didn't used to. I still wouldn't care among those three choices, I only go on price.
May 1st, 2016, 12:20 PM
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Our ferry arrives at 6:45, the first available time for car pickup is 8am. From experience I know it can take quite a while to get off the boat and through the customs line. Factor in the shuttle ride to the train station and I think we will be able to be at the train station car rental right around 8am. The car rental places are closed on Sunday but it says a dropbox for drop off is available.
May 1st, 2016, 12:58 PM
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Although this was 14 years ago(!), I rented with Europcar in Caen when I explored Normandy for a few days. The night before heading back to Paris, I dropped the car by the train station and dropped my keys in the drop box when the car company was closed. No issues at all. I suspect it would still be fine that way.
I believe I used Auto Europe for that rental, though after so much time my experience with them is probably irrelevant now. Last year I used EconomyCarRentals to rent a car in Croatia for a good price. They don't show you the car company until after you have given them a credit card and completed your booking, but their bookings (like Auto Europe) are refundable - I tested that out so I know that is indeed true.
I believe I used Auto Europe for that rental, though after so much time my experience with them is probably irrelevant now. Last year I used EconomyCarRentals to rent a car in Croatia for a good price. They don't show you the car company until after you have given them a credit card and completed your booking, but their bookings (like Auto Europe) are refundable - I tested that out so I know that is indeed true.
