Do you have any tips for getting a good rate on a rental car in Germany?
Mar 27th, 2008, 12:40 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you have any tips for getting a good rate on a rental car in Germany?
I know we're going to have to pay a fortune for a rental vehicle in Germany. There are 5 of us, so we need a mini-van, SUV or station wagon. It needs to be automatic. Are there any web sites or particular rental agencies whose prices are known to be lower than others?
Mar 27th, 2008, 12:54 PM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As long as there are five of you, and you are traveling in Germany, it would pay to look at the various Länder tickets. €26 to €31 for an all day pass for five people on regional trains in that German state. That's a lot less expensive than renting a car, it easily carries ALL your luggage, and everyone can watch the scenery. The locomotive driver knows the way so no detailed maps or GPS are needed, and no parking problems.
Mar 28th, 2008, 03:58 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mar 28th, 2008, 06:04 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would also recommend Gemut. We have used them on our European adventures. If there is a problem with billing (once you are home) they take care of it in a swift manner. They also pretty much match other quotes. Shirley
Mar 28th, 2008, 06:40 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you absolutely think you have to have a car, Gemut is probably the best source, although be careful, they try to quote a lower price by leaving out the CDW, telling you to use your credit card insurance. Credit card insurance is not the same thing, and people have been burned trying to collect.
Also, using public transporttion can be far less expensive than even Gemut's CDW-less rate. Last October I went from Munich airport to Oberammergau, then slowly up the Romantic Road to Würzburg. That part of the trip took a week. The quote I got from Gemut (for a car suitable for at most two people, without CDW), along with Michelins estimate for fuel was $350. Using Bayern-Tickets and buses I paid €90 ($125), total, for transportation.
What I saved by not renting a car paid for two days (accom and food) of my trip.
Also, using public transporttion can be far less expensive than even Gemut's CDW-less rate. Last October I went from Munich airport to Oberammergau, then slowly up the Romantic Road to Würzburg. That part of the trip took a week. The quote I got from Gemut (for a car suitable for at most two people, without CDW), along with Michelins estimate for fuel was $350. Using Bayern-Tickets and buses I paid €90 ($125), total, for transportation.
What I saved by not renting a car paid for two days (accom and food) of my trip.
Mar 28th, 2008, 07:35 AM
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Usually, if you have a Gold or Platinum credit card, it might provide better car rental coverage than a standard credit card. But be sure that you call the cc company or go to their website to find out exactly what they do cover.
Mar 28th, 2008, 07:41 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just an aside...I had an accident in England and had used a gold card to cover the CDW. I had no problems recovering the costs from my credit card. As I recall, the cost of the repairs was put on my credit card, which I paid, and then the credit card company reimbursed me.
You'd pay an arm and a leg for an automatic, even if you didn't need a specialized vehicle.
You'd pay an arm and a leg for an automatic, even if you didn't need a specialized vehicle.
Mar 28th, 2008, 07:46 AM
#11
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long will you be driving. If it's more than 17 days you should lease instead of renting.
Except for the special deals on local trains at non-commute times, a car will be cheaper for five than equivalent train tickets. The specials are great to add some train travel into your itenerary. If you are planning on traveling from one major city to another city/country, they really don't apply.
Except for the special deals on local trains at non-commute times, a car will be cheaper for five than equivalent train tickets. The specials are great to add some train travel into your itenerary. If you are planning on traveling from one major city to another city/country, they really don't apply.
Mar 28th, 2008, 08:34 AM
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We decided to save money by getting a manual transmission car on our trip to Benelux. BAD decision. I drove manuals for many years until I discovered the joy of driving in stop and go traffic with an automatic. Manual was fine when traffic was flowing smoothly on the highway--but stop and go, and in hilly areas, and in towns it was a total pain in the rear.
Also, I've been driving an automatic so long now that I would occasionally forget at critical moments that the car had a manual transmission.
I think they probably had to replace the transmission by the time I was done with the car.
Also, I've been driving an automatic so long now that I would occasionally forget at critical moments that the car had a manual transmission.
I think they probably had to replace the transmission by the time I was done with the car.
Mar 28th, 2008, 01:58 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We looked into leasing for our 3 week trip to Germany last year. It was still cheaper to rent from Gemut/AutoEurope. We had a great car for 3 weeks and paid under $600 total. That rate also included an automatic one-class upgrade.
Mar 28th, 2008, 02:31 PM
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We found Sixt to have the best rates when we last needed a car in Bavaria (dropped off in Vienna). This was a 7-seat Ford Galaxy mini-van, air-conditioned and automatic. I'm sorry but I don't recall the exact cost.
Mar 28th, 2008, 02:38 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can price a rental car using all the sources mentioned here. Then, take your lowest quote and call AutoEurope at the 1 800 number on their website.
They will meet or beat the lowest
quote.
AutoEurope has worked out great for us many times!
Laurie
They will meet or beat the lowest
quote.
AutoEurope has worked out great for us many times!
Laurie
Mar 28th, 2008, 03:00 PM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've always been able to beat competitive rates with Argus Car Hire in Italy, not sure how they will be in Germany. However, they were often markedly less than other companies and we had no problems with them. We've used them 5-6 times with no problem. www.argusrentals.com
Another one to check is www.kemwel.com, but Argus still beats their prices.
Another one to check is www.kemwel.com, but Argus still beats their prices.
Mar 29th, 2008, 05:03 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try Nova out of northern Ireland; I have ALWAYS find their rates to be the best. We don't rent automatics, so I don't know about pricing for those.
If you've got enough time before your trip, why don't you try to learn to drive a stick? Once you get the coordination down, it is really easy.
If you've got enough time before your trip, why don't you try to learn to drive a stick? Once you get the coordination down, it is really easy.
Mar 29th, 2008, 05:40 AM
#19
missypie; We have also rented from 'Nova Car Hire' with good results. They have a Mercedes station wagon, automatic for five people. Of course it may depend on which location you will be arriving at. We hired a smaller car and the rates were better that any other rental agencies. If you try to rent from Auto Europe keep in mind that after finding a price on their web site, you can call them and negotiate the price. [Senior citizen, AAA or AARP helps.] We have used Auto Europe many times and have received a better price by calling, after you find their price on line. Iris
Apr 2nd, 2008, 12:47 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I received the quote from Andy at Gemut today-for an automatic 8 passenger van for 10 days: $4897! (without CDW!)Obviously we need a Plan B!
For those of you who are familiar with the types of vehicles that are rented to tourists in Germany, what type of vehicle would be smaller than an 8 passenger van, but would be large enough for 5 people and their luggage? (Don't answer with "a train."
For those of you who are familiar with the types of vehicles that are rented to tourists in Germany, what type of vehicle would be smaller than an 8 passenger van, but would be large enough for 5 people and their luggage? (Don't answer with "a train."
