Iwannatravelnow

People,

Can anyone explain to me why some car rental companies like Thrifty do not allow their vehicles to be driven into Eastern European countries? I was planning on renting a car in Venice and driving to Ljubljana, but it seems that it is either not allowed or heavily extra-charged by car companies.

I would appreciate your advice.

IWTN

Gardyloo

It's true, undoubtedly the result of poor insurance infrastructure left over from socialist days. I also know the Peugeot rental program balks at renting BMWs or MBs for travel into/through E. Europe due to "high incidence of theft."

The Renault leasing program, see www.renaultusa.com, doesn't forbid travel to these countries, but Italian pickups/dropoffs are pricey. When you count taxes and insurance, though (all included in the Renault lease) and if you're renting for 14 days or more, the savings might offset the pickup charges, and you can toodle off to Slovenia to your heart's content.

There may be other agencies that allow penalty-free travel to E. Europe but I'm not familiar with them.

Iwannatravelnow

Gardyloo,

Thanks for the tip on the Renaul Eurodrive Program, it was very helpful (for a future trip). I had heard about it before but did not know there was a website with so much information.

I'll spend 5 nights / 6 days in Venice in December, so Renault won't work for me - I'll continue my search for a car company that allows me to drive into Slovenia.

Thanks.

IWTN

ekellyga

We rented thru Autoeurope, and just checked the box saying that we would be taking the car into Eastern Europe. Turns out there was no surcharge to do it. Autoeurope is a "broker"...and you end up picking up the car from any one of a number of name brand auto rental companies. One time it was Hertz, once Avis. Have used them numerous times and have been pleased.

rhkkmk

the problem as i understand it is one of safety...cars are regularily stolen, sold or stripped for cash....usually car companies only allow small cars into eastern europe...i am using hertz and it is not a problem with an intermediate size car....auto europe allows it as well....i think you need a special insurance card for entrance, so don't rent a car and not tell them that you are driving there and go and loose something and PAY BIG MONEY......

i also feel that things have relaxed a bit in the last few years....10 years ago i had a terrible time renting and driving from germany to the east....now it is easier to do this rental....

i try to stay at a hotel with a private garage for safety...not a public garage....cars are identifiable from their plates so the locals know which they are/