KathrynC

Hi,
I'm hoping to hire a 7/9 seater to travel to Austria this year. I noticed not all companies seem to allow the hire to go outside the UK. Does anyone know a company I could use to do this? Thanks

nytraveler

I would not want to be stuck driving a very large vehicle with all of the controls on the worn side. And I think that's why the rental companies don;t want to allow it.

Why not rent the vehicle when you get to France? (And rent a separate vehicle in the UK if you really need one there.)

hetismij2

nyraveler surprisingly enough lots of Britons drive in Europe with RHD vehicels, from super minis, through Mercs, vans, Campers, buses up to HGVs. They all manage just fine.

Kathryn, sorry I can't help with a suggestion but there are companies that do allow it - I see such vehicles all the time when crossing the channel, and they aren't all privately owned I'm sure. Good luck with finding somewhere - if you have tried the big companies maybe it is worth trying smaller local companies. I suspect one problem is that unlike in mainland Europe Green Cards aren't automatically issued by UK insurers, and some I believe even charge for them.

janisj

>>I see such vehicles all the time when crossing the channel, and they aren't all privately owned I'm sure.<<

But I'd bet the a lot are driver/guides where the vehicle and driver are a package deal.

But Sixt an others will rent vans/mini buses in the UK for travel on the Continent . . . w/ a HUGE surcharge (If I read the info correctly it costs 60% on top of the regular rental rate). Plus a pricey breakdown charge.

http://www.sixt.co.uk/rental-service...l-information/

nytraveler

Well if they're not ALL privately owned vehicles - then what agency is renting them? Apparently the OP looked and could;t find any companies.

And Sixt seems not to allow one-way international rentals.

janisj

Where did the OP say one-way?

I assumed she meant to Austria and <i>back</i>. If not -- then yes, that would be a HUGE problem.

MymsMan

Hertz allows rental cars to drive to Austria for £96 extra for first week, see Continental Surcharge on Hertz rental qualifications pages. One way may be possible - has to be discussed with Reservations centre - I would hate to think of the fee.

The idea of renting in France is good since you would avoid the Surcharges and have a LHD vehicle

KathrynC

Thanks, I'll have a look at some of the suggestions. I have found some, just needed a bit of advice and one way rental is not an option - we need to get back! Thanks

chartley

I suggest you try the larger local companies that specialise in commercial vehicle hire, rather than the multi-national chains which mainly rent cars.

I tried looking up a couple of local companies who do mini-bus hire, one of which specifically said it rented for European travel, but could get little information from the websites. You will probably need to phone or visit them to get details and prices.

It is commonplace for British schools to take parties to continental Europe in minibuses. When my son was at university, he went to the alps on a canoeing trip using a student union minibus. At the same age, my niece had a temporary job accompanying British cyclists visiting Italy, and her first task was to drive the minibus there. Although well-travelled, she had never undertaken such a journey before.

Alec

Contact a local branch of Enterprise Car Hire. They do allow European travel, but it must be agreed with the rental station in advance.

julia_t

If you hire in the UK it will be a right hand drive vehicle and driven on the left of the road.

Cross The Channel and you will still be in a right hand drive vehicle, but driving on the right.

If you are British this won't be much of an issue. Thousands of us do it every year.

But if you are used to driving on the right, why would you want to do it in a rh drive car? Why not rent a LH drive car in France?

KathrynC

Thanks! Good idea about the local companies, I've contacted a couple of them and am waiting to hear back - fingers crossed! Unfortunately our local Enterprise companies don't allow European cover on the vehicles we are looking at. We have plenty of driving experience in Europe and don't want to swap over cars, etc, so would be hiring from home.