help with car rental
 

Hi,

We're going to Italy next week. We're really excited, but at the same time, getting frustrated with car rental. Our plan is to pick up the rental car at Florence airport on a Friday, spend two days driving around Tuscany, then drop it off in Rome the following Sunday.

I had originally wanted to drop it off at Orvieto based on recommendations from this board, but I couldn't find anything available for that drop-off location, so compromised to switch to Rome.

I've tried Auto Europe, Nova rental, Avis, and Hertz for an automatic. Not much luck at all. Autoeurope gave me a rate that's over $350! For two days!! Nova kept saying there's no car type matching our schedule, even after I went through all available car types!

We didn't expect car rental to be such a big hassle. Can't select smaller towns for drop-off, drop-off destinations often are not open, ..., and this crazy rates! Could anybody who's got a positive experience with car rental give us some pointers? We'd really appreciate it!

I forgot to add that we can only drive automatic. I realize that's a major disadvantage, but I don't want to learn manual in a foreign country...

I have run into the same problem. The cheapest I have found so far is with Avis. I have also not found a solution from this otherwise great forum on this dilemma either, which leads me to believe that there is no solution. Apparently the only automatic vehicles for rent are luxury sedans or higher (hence the outrageous prices). And I, like you, don't feel like learning to drive a manual while on vacation!

You have two things going against you - needing an automatic, and only wanting the car for 2 days.

Bargain (well not bargain exactly, but at least cheaper) rates don't kick in until you hit a 7-day rental. For short rental periods you usually get really slammed, and when you add in needing an automatic -- either decide to pay it, or maybe consider the trains instead . . . . . .

Hi, try www.auto-europe.com for a good selection of deals. You can specify pick up and drop off cities and check discounted rates for all sorts of cars. I've used them and have had no hassles. Also check with your airling and see if you can leverage any preferential rates they may have with a car hire place on the ground.

Other than paying sky-high rack rates (meant for business travellers), your only chance of getting a reasonable price is to find a weekend special, usually Friday to Monday morning (rental locations are usually closed on Sunday except at airports). The problem is, you normally have to return the car to the renting location. Maybe you can rent and return at Florence airport and then take a train to Rome.

Hi wind,

How about hiring a driver for a day to drive you around Tuscany? It will be less than $350 and you get commentary.

((I))

I have thoroughly researched the prices and have found the best deal through easyjet.com - they have the most depots too.

Does anyone know if there any requirement as to driver license when renting a car in Europe? I have heard something about arranging for an international license? Please advise, thanks.

misa--some countries do require an International Driving Permit. The IDP is a translation of your driving license into several languages. You still have to carry your regular license.

If you are in the USA, it costs $10 at AAA if you have your own passport size photos. They will take the photos for an extra charge.

Not all European countries require the IDP.

Rufus,
Thank you for your tip! That's one more thing to put down on my to-do list.

Italy is not "car renter friendly". In addition to high rental rates (especially for automatics, which put you into the larger car classes), you have to buy the Collision Damage Waiver. Car rental agencies in Italy, regardless of whome they work with in the US (AutoEurope,etc.) will not accept the coverage you credit card normally provides. In fact, there are also some credit card companies (AMEXCO, etc.) which will not let you charge the rental car in Italy on their card.

Ira's suggestion is probably your best bet, or taking trains from one city to the next.

P.S. I didn't mention that the daily CDW charge is in addition to any quotation you got from the car rental companies.

While specifying an automatic usually requires a "luxury", some people on this forum have said that some Smart cars have a automatic transmission. These are city cars (small engines and lower top speeds) but that might work for you.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I made my husband learn to drive manual yesterday, and he claimed that he's got it. So we happily went on hertz website to book florence -> Orvieto rental, only to find out that you can't return the car in Orvieto because it's a Sunday, and it opens till 1pm the day before. How did you all deal with the no-dropoff hour scenario?

Is Rome our only choice for drop-off? Both of us got really frustrated today... Would appreciate any help!