cf5657

As long as you use a credit card and read all the fine print you should be fine. I've never had a problem renting from non US car rental companies and there should be at least 1 person in the office that will speak English. I find they are usually cheaper. Your usually getting a car from a local company anyways when you rent from American companies they are just tacking on a commision for booking through them.

I checked Sicily by Car (autoeuropa.com) which I have rented from and the C class mercedes is € 780,00, however they have a vip card you can sign up for and save another 10% or 20% I can't remeber which. Just keep in mind the bigger the car the more fuel it burns and the harder it is to park. With them they have an office in Venice at the big boat area before you go into venice and they have offices in Rome by Via Borghesese (however you spell that) and also at the airport.

You might also try sixt.com they are a huge German company and I've rented from them before with good results but they aren't always the cheapest. They gave me a brand new Mercedes C Class in Paris one time that had 3k miles on it. I didn't want to give it back, I loved that car.

sharoo

Whichever company you decide to use remember it is not the US or Canada. You will have to get the additional insurance, which they may not have included in the price.
Don't always count on the car being an automatic. We have had problems with many car rentals in Europe when we got there we were told no automatic was available.We have found that a station wagon had more room compared to a regular car. More room fo the passangers and more room in the pack to carry your luggage to the hotel.
If you are spending time in Venice make sure you pick up your car when you leave and not when you arrive at the airport. You don't want to pay to park in the gargage while being in Venice.

dgruzew

sharoo - you are correct to mention the insurance. Many car rental companies will quote you the rate without the insurance (which is mandatory I beleve)

did you check to see that you have the transmission you want? most euro rental cars are manual - you have to request(and pay extra ) for auto

I have found autoeurope to be the best. rates,service,information, and reservations - they are open 24 hours a day and loacted in maine , and have a toll free number to call them in Europe
I cannot say enough about this company, they are fantastic

Heres another question ? why are you renting a car at all? Venice has no streets you can drive a car and I would rather stick needles in my eyes before trying to drive in rome?? where are you going in between ?
you may want to take a train to wherevever that is and rent a car there.

Also - if you get a larger car, don't forget that gas is super expensive in europe ($4-5 a gallon)

AutoStrade tolls are very high as well(san remo to florence was 40 USD)

PLMN

Hi everyone.

Just checking in before I have to pop out for the evening.

We need the car AFTER Venice because when we leave Venice we will be staying in a villa in Cortona for a week.

Using auto europe I have an Avis rental. My $707.86 includes, well wait a minute, it would be faster to say what it does not include: Gasoline, daily road rental fee of appx. $1.65 per day, local tolls, highway fees, travel stickers that may be required by local authorities.

EVERYTHING else, including ZERO deductibles for both theft and collision insurance.

The car is 4 door automatic with air.

I did feel comfortable speaking with auto europe and they are VERY highly suggested.

RufusTFirefly

PLMN--what kind of car did you end up getting? If a compact, nova rentacar shows $661.

What is included in the charges

Unlimited mileage

Airport charges (excludes out of hours fees, if applicable)

Taxes ( VAT at 20%)

Third Party liability insurance

CDW - Collision Damage Waiver with No Excess Liability

TLW - Theft Loss Waiver with No Excess Liability

One additional driver free of charge

Actually, with 3 adults and one portly with knee problems, I would consider going with a midsize car.

ira

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