My parents and I are going to be spending 2 weeks in Scotland and a week in Northern Ireland this fall and would like to rent a car while we're there. What should a know about car rentals and what should I avoid? Also, would welcome any driving dos & don'ts from those with experience. Would appreciate any tips on where to get good rates. I usually rent from Hertz but, holy cow, the rate was out of sight!! Thanks!

From our experience, you are going to find the rental car rates in Europe in general a real shocker compared to the rates in this country. But driving around Scotland--which we did in 2000--was a great experience and worth every pound. Though you have to drive on the left, and some roads are only 1 lane wide. But the scenery, especially in the Highlands, is marvelous.

Auntie

There's a very funny (but oh, so true) thread on here about driving on the left and roundabouts and stuff.

I saved it at home, so if you email me I'll send it to you. I can't think of an easy way to search for it.

In 2000 we booked a car from Alamo and collected it at Glasgow airport. They did not cover themselves with glory, although they did upgrade the car.

My advice would be to look for a smaller local firm, they offer better rates, but it can be difficult picking up or dropping off on a Sunday. Take the smallest car that you can, not only are cars expensive but also petrol; besides a small car is better on the Scottish roads. Specify an automatic or you will almost certainly get a manual. Even if you are used to a manual, if you come from a country that drives on the wrong (right) side of the road, you will have the added problem of operating the shift with your left hand.

Driving in Scotland is fun, but don?t expect to cover large distances; the most we did was from Inverness to John O?Groats and back, about 360 miles for the round trip, and that took twelve hours, including a few stops. We probably averaged about 40 and nobody has ever accused me of being a slow driver.

Along those same lines, In America a Cavalier can seat 4 adults. We know this. BUT in rental car pages fro Scotland, it says they seat 2 adults. Are the cars smaller or something? Or do they think Americans are giants? haha. I will assume that a Cavalier (or like car) is the same over there.

You should try Arnold Clark - they are the largest car dealers in Scotland and their rental rates are usually very competitive.
Contact them at :

www.acfinance.com/rental/

Luv2Travel: NEVER "assume that a Cavalier (or like car) is the same over there" Almost no cars have the same names in Europe as they do in the USA. Take the rental company's word for it. A Chev Cavalier is not available in the UK

AuntieGwen: Rental car rates are very perplexing - Hertz could be very expensive, and then there is a special and all of a sudden they are the cheapest. Or they are cheap for one size car and outrageously expensive for another.

Some small companies are good - but others are horrible. I normally have to spend more time tracking down good rental cars prices than I do getting good airfares.

I would first check autoeurope.com and then start hitting all the usual suspects - I have had good luck with Thrifty once or twice, but have probably used 10 different UK rental agencies over the years.

And whatever you do - read ALL the fine print so you are not comparing apples to oranges. CDW, VAT, excess insurance, mileage and other extras make a HUGE difference. a 200GBP rate will be a lot cheaper than a 150GBP rate if CDW and VAT are not included in the latter.

Easycar (easyjet car rentals) has pretty good rates. I haven't rented from them, and others on the site have noted that you have to wait to have them look over the car when you return it--you can get charged extra if you return the car dirty, apparently. But if you're looking for a cheap rate, this could be the way to go.

easyCar is cheap - but not a good choice for a family, more than 2 adults, or if you plan on driving very far.

They only rent one model - very small Mercedes A range cars. Plus you have to pay for mileage of more than 50 miles per day. So for most vacations they are not a realistic option.

For a single or couple planning on on only 350 or less miles per week, EasyCar is a true bargain - but for most others they are more expensive than traditional rental agencies.

We rented from AutoEurope and picked the car up at the York rail station [we took the train from London to York, then drove from York to Edinburgh]. It was a great experience. I HIGHLY recommend purchasing an atlas. It was great and we used that thing to pieces!

Karen

We always use AutoEurope when renting a car outside the US.

It's important and worthwhile to rent an AUTOMATIC car in England/Scotland. Driving on the WRONG side of the road (oh, well, they think it's the right side...) is disturbing and confusing enough... At least have an Auotmatic car to relieve some tension...

Also, have a co-pilot / navigator sitting next to you, handling the maps and directions AND keeping an eye on you driving on the "wrong" way...

In March we rented a Vauxhall Vectra with auto from Hertz at Glasgow thru British Air for $360 for 8 days.

We've found that the rates thru the airlines are generally cheaper than dealing direct. Give it a try.