Paul

My partner and I are planning a trip to Naples, FL over the Christmas holidays. We arrive Christmas Eve and return home on New Year's Day. I am having difficulty finding a car rental of any type for less than $750 for that week.

Does anyone have any alternative suggestions than the on-site airport car rental agencies? I've already tried rent-a-wreck and the nearest location is in Venice, FL (too far away).

Any help would be most appreciated for our limited budget.

Thanks so much.

J62

Ouch. I've always found Naples/Ft Meyers to be a very expensive rental car market. Usually I try orbitz.com for rental car comparison, but they too show the same prices you've found.

Double ouch.

NeoPatrick

Paul H? From Michigan? Haven't heard from you in a while!

That's terrible. Even Dollar on Airport-Pulling where I normally get a $20 a day car shows $686 for the 8 days.

But here's something I learned this week on Fodors. Go to AutoEurope.com.
They show an economy for $248.90 picking up and returning on your dates to RSW. Or call them at 1-888-223-5555.

Let us know if that works. That should be worth a lunch at Campiello.

Keith

Much cheaper rentals are available in Fort Myers.

Try this page for discount codes that you can use at the rental companies http://www.mousesavers.com/rentalcar.html

Keith

NeoPatrick

Keith, actually I assumed Paul was flying into Ft.Myers. The rates we were quoting ARE in Ft.Myers. Hey, it's Christmas in Paradise!

But for the record, I often get a better price with Dollar in Naples than in Ft. Myers. I think other agencies are the same. I'm not sure why people think Naples is more. One issue may be the higher fees at RSW (Ft. Myers airport) that don't exist at Naples airport or the off airport locations.

But Mousesavers is a good source of Florida codes.

kelliebellie

Aaaarrrghh...I was in the middle of typing a response when my two year old boy decided it would be a great joke to grab Mommy's mouse and run for it. When he gets excited with these jokes, he tends to throw the item across the room before he can be caught. Soooo...one trip to the Apple store and $70 later, here is my witty response:

1. Find a time machine.

2. Use it to book your Christmas car rental 8 months ago.


We usually rent a car in Florida every Christmas and it is way more important to book that early than booking the airlines.

So hooray to Patrick! (order the calamari appetizer at Campiello - delicious)

I'm going to run my brother-in-law's dates through AutoEurope now to see if he can save some $$$.

garyt22

Try Enterprise off airport with an entertainment coupon... I've had mixed luck with them...

aliciaf1

Have you tried Priceline?

If not, i would take a taxi from Ft Myers to Naples.

Check the car rental places in the town if you really need a car for the week

aliciaf1

Have you tried Priceline?

If still too $$, i would take a taxi from Ft Myers airport to your destination in Naples. ( i think it was about $55 last time i did that)

From there, if you need a car check the car rental places in Naples not near the airport!


and yes i posted this twice, should have previewed my last one b4 posting

don512

What is AutoEurope?

Christina

I went to Naples at that time a couple years ago. I think it was in-between Christmas and New Years. ANyway, I did find things pretty expensive, but got a better car rental price by renting at Fort Lauderdale airport and flying in and out of there. There are decent budget flights from where I live to there, and it is a very easy drive across the state on a major highway from Ft Lauderdale to Naples.

Christina

hmmm. I checked and Avis was also about $750 for that week at Fort Lauderdale, but Hertz is only around $675 (for the cheapest).

Maybe you already have your flight arrangements, though, but it doesn't really take that long to drive from Ft Lauderdale to Naples.

NeoPatrick

Christina, it's funny you say that about cheaper car rental rates in Ft. Lauderdale. I live in Naples and often fly in or out of Ft. Lauderdale. I often rent a car for one day pick up Naples and drop off Ft. Lauderdale and then do the reverse on my return -- cheaper than parking my car at the airports. But I have ALWAYS gotten my cars cheaper in Naples going to Ft. Lauderdale than in Ft. Lauderdale going to Naples. Always, and I've done that a lot. In fact since the big new garage and car rental facility at Ft. Lauderdale airport, they've added on even higher fees.

travelingirl

I would try priceline or hotwire.