mzoran

I'm travelling with my family, 5 adults (one in a wheelchair) and 2 children (2 and 4 years old) and we are thinking about renting a van for 3 weeks in Santander and dropping it off in Seville. We have 4 large suitcases, and of course, the wheelchair which can be folded. Is the VW Sharan 2.0 big enough to suit our needs? If not, can you advise as to which I would need to accommodate us? Do you know of any lesser known websites that offer van rentals at reasonable price? Thanks.

janisj

I don't think there is any way a VW Sharan will be large enough. It seats 7 . . . but not 7 + 2 car seats + 4 large suitcases + 5-7 carry ons + a wheelchair.

No 7-passenger vehicle would have enough space. You'd realistically need a 10-11 passenger giant. You will do much better (both for ease of getting around and cost) if you rent 2 midsized cars.

ribeirasacra

I feel you have to do a lot of asking around to find the correct vehicle
Here is a list of some 9 seaters:
Volkswagen Caravelle
Nissan Primastar
Opel Vivaro
It is doubtful if you will be able to find one that is an automatic should you need it.
Both of your children will need child seats too.

phillyboy

In September 2010, we travelled all along the Costa Brava in a Mercedes Benz Vito 9 - we were 6 adults, including my 23 yr old daughter and 2 of her friends, who practically packed their entire wardrobes for a 10-day trip. We had 6 large suitcases, at least as many carry-ons, and depending on the day, multiple bags with the spoils of the young ladies' shopping excursions. The van was very comfortable with plenty of room, though I'm still not sure how they got all of their stuff home.

ben43

phillyboy, can you tell who you rented the MB Vito from in 2010? I really like using these but they are sometimes hard to find. Thanks in advance.

Robert2533

As noted, the VW Sharan 2.0 will not be able to accommodate you and your luggage. The 9-passenger Mercedes Vito would be the closest option. Depending on where you are from, you can contact AutoEurope, Avia, Hertz and EuropCar to see what they can do. Forget the cheap discount car rental agencies.

janisj

Robert2533: >><i>As noted, the VW Sharan 2.0 will not be able to accommodate you and your luggage.</i><< . . . which is fine since the trip was last year . . .

ribeirasacra

Too late!

phillyboy

ben43,

I always rent from www.gemut.com. They are a re-seller based in Oregon, and they work through Auto Europe. You can go direct through Auto Europe as well, but I like gemut because they are small and family-owned, and you can always get the owner, Bob, or his son, Andy, on the phone. Prices are guaranteed to be the lowest.

No, I don't work for or have any interest in gemut. I like them for the reasons stated above, plus they've helped me work through some sticky car rental issues several times over the years.

Good luck!

ribeirasacra

another too late!

janisj

>>another too late!<<

Actually not . . . phillyboy is responding to ben43 (who topped the thread) not to the OP.