KathyH1474

Fifteen of us will be going to Key West in June. We'll be flying into Miami and renting a large van for the trip to Key West. Although we won't need the van in Key West, this is much cheaper than all of us flying into Key West or using any of the shuttles.
I've only found two places that rent 15 passenger vans, Royal Rent a Car and Specialty Van and Car Rental.
Anyone have any experience with either of these companies?
Thanks,
KathyH

gail

No - but 15 passenger vans will not fit 15 adults comfortably - they will fit maybe 12 or 13 people. And then there is the luggage issue - there is no way you will fit 15 people and luggage for same in these vans.

Mimi-vans say they seat 7-8 people, depending on manufactuere, but you run into the same comfort and luggage issues even if you rent 2 minivans.

colombiana

Gail is right you may have to rent 15 passenger + mini van try enterprise or go into orbitz.com and once it gives you rates go to the bottom and their is something that says specialty cars or something to that effect.

KathyH1474

We used to own a 15 passenger van, and though it is tight, you can fit 15 people inside. I figure luggage we'll squish under the seats.
It's summer in Florida, we are only going for four days, so except for my sister-in-law, I think we'll all pack light.
Otherwise we'll have to rent two vans and that will double our cost.
It will just be a cozy ride down to Key West, but hey, we are family so we'll survive.
KathyH

milemarker0

You could also rent 2 vans one way, just for the day. Drop them off at the airport your second day, and just reserve 2 for the day you leave...you can get them from Thrifty for about $60/day each. Might be an option...

gail

Perhaps it depends on the manufacturer of the vans - but our daughter's youth group has found they can only reasonably fit less than 15 kids in these vans (and they are skinny teenagers), and they have a roof rack for luggage. But since you used to won one, I guess you would know better. The ones our group uses have room for luggage under only 2 of the 4 rows. (not front or back).

In any event, squishing luggage under seats will only work with backpack/duffle type luggage - what will you do if suitcases are too fat.

mclaurie

I have absolutely no idea how much this van rental is likely to cost, but with 15 people, have you checked the price of chartering a plane? Especially if you don't need a car once you get to Key West, would save a lot of aggravation and time.