Car hire, Sicily
Discussion
Heading to Sicily for a week next month and for a few reasons have decided it would be a good idea to hire a car. I've never hired a car overseas before so looking for any suggestions as to where to find a good deal, helpful and reliable company etc. I know the bigger companies are pretty much global or Europe-wide these days but I have no experience of any of them really so not sure where to start.
In case it matters, we'll need something with a child seat and 4/5 doors and reasonable boot space. Ideally automatic too.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
In case it matters, we'll need something with a child seat and 4/5 doors and reasonable boot space. Ideally automatic too.
Any thoughts/suggestions?
We hire two or three times a year and the prices vary all the time, so it's just a question of shopping around. We always go for one of the companies with an office in the airport and then you're not hanging around for a bloke with a clipboard to appear. When you put the location of the airport into the rental quote you will see if they have an office there - Avis, Hertz, Europcar are the usual ones. Never had any bother with any of them. They usually ask you to bring the car back full of fuel, so ask where the nearest station is to the airport.
We used Avis last month and we had an Auris Hybrid, so ended up with an automatic even though we had just gone for "generic 4/5 door car". Most hire desks will have a range of sick stained, dodgy looking car seats or boosters to hire at extra cost, so if you can manage it, take your own!
Sicily is lovely by the way.
We used Avis last month and we had an Auris Hybrid, so ended up with an automatic even though we had just gone for "generic 4/5 door car". Most hire desks will have a range of sick stained, dodgy looking car seats or boosters to hire at extra cost, so if you can manage it, take your own!
Sicily is lovely by the way.
We hired a car for two weeks in Portugal from here: http://www.holidayautos.com/
The car itself was from Avis so the pick up / drop off point was within the airport. No idea why but you seem to get better deals going through resellers than dealing direct with the hire company.
Few things to watch out for:
As already mentioned make sure you understand the fuel policy as this is one of the favoured ways they like to rip you off. Full to full is best and fill it up upon your return at the fuel station nearest the airport. Got mixed up with ours as the Avis bod on the desk said there fuel was cheaper so don't worry about returning it full, what he didn't explain is return it anything less than full and you'll pay for the whole tank. Luckily I realised this as I was dropping off with 3/4 of a tank, told them to give me the keys back and went off get it filled up.
Also take out a separate policy to cover the hire car companies excess. Costs about £30 to cover the duration of the hire whereas the hire car companies themselves will charge you around £20 a day!
All you need to know here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-...
The car itself was from Avis so the pick up / drop off point was within the airport. No idea why but you seem to get better deals going through resellers than dealing direct with the hire company.
Few things to watch out for:
As already mentioned make sure you understand the fuel policy as this is one of the favoured ways they like to rip you off. Full to full is best and fill it up upon your return at the fuel station nearest the airport. Got mixed up with ours as the Avis bod on the desk said there fuel was cheaper so don't worry about returning it full, what he didn't explain is return it anything less than full and you'll pay for the whole tank. Luckily I realised this as I was dropping off with 3/4 of a tank, told them to give me the keys back and went off get it filled up.
Also take out a separate policy to cover the hire car companies excess. Costs about £30 to cover the duration of the hire whereas the hire car companies themselves will charge you around £20 a day!
All you need to know here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-car-...
Do your research. If a deal looks too good to be true, it is.
Prices are dynamic, varies massively on supply and demand. If you're booking late in peak holiday season, you're not likely to find a bargain.
All rental companies are really strict on damage control - check the car really carefully for pre existing damage BEFORE you drive away and compare that to the car documents - if something is damaged and not noted go back to the desk and get it noted (and the documents initialled again). I prefer Avis or Hertz who play fair on this stuff - other views vary.
Understand the fuel options. If you don't bring it back full you're likely to get stung, but finding a filling station in Italy - near an airport - that's open at a weekend (if you're travelling at a weekend) can be a challenge. Many are automated and only take € notes, so you're having to guess how much fuel to pay for.
Prices are dynamic, varies massively on supply and demand. If you're booking late in peak holiday season, you're not likely to find a bargain.
All rental companies are really strict on damage control - check the car really carefully for pre existing damage BEFORE you drive away and compare that to the car documents - if something is damaged and not noted go back to the desk and get it noted (and the documents initialled again). I prefer Avis or Hertz who play fair on this stuff - other views vary.
Understand the fuel options. If you don't bring it back full you're likely to get stung, but finding a filling station in Italy - near an airport - that's open at a weekend (if you're travelling at a weekend) can be a challenge. Many are automated and only take € notes, so you're having to guess how much fuel to pay for.
Book through Auto Europe and choose one of the bigger companies.
Get excess insurance from icarhire insurance or similar.
When you land, jump on the courtesy bus which will take you round to the hire shed, it will be hot and you will queue for a long time.
When you get to your car, make sure everything is as it should be including tyres, aerial, windscreen wipers etc.
Ensure all dents are recorded, when you find the ones that aren't, grab a chap and make him sign off on them, also take photos of the car beforehand.
Book to pick up & return full, there's a petrol station near the airport.
When you get in the car the tank won't be full, get the bloke to sign off on that as well.
Drive on the right, there's a speed camera just outside the airport, if in doubt, get a satnav and do as the locals do.
Good luck!
Dave
Get excess insurance from icarhire insurance or similar.
When you land, jump on the courtesy bus which will take you round to the hire shed, it will be hot and you will queue for a long time.
When you get to your car, make sure everything is as it should be including tyres, aerial, windscreen wipers etc.
Ensure all dents are recorded, when you find the ones that aren't, grab a chap and make him sign off on them, also take photos of the car beforehand.
Book to pick up & return full, there's a petrol station near the airport.
When you get in the car the tank won't be full, get the bloke to sign off on that as well.
Drive on the right, there's a speed camera just outside the airport, if in doubt, get a satnav and do as the locals do.
Good luck!
Dave
Can't comment on what their kiddie seats are like, we've always taken our own, it's a toss up between theirs being manky or yours being damaged by the 'throwers'
Go for the smallest car you can manage to squeeze into.
Driving round Sicily can be positively barmy at times but just relax into it, do the complete opposite of what you'd do in the UK and you'll be fine.
If that fails just drive with your eyes shut.
There are some lovely drives to be had so don't be put off by anything I've written!
Go for the smallest car you can manage to squeeze into.
Driving round Sicily can be positively barmy at times but just relax into it, do the complete opposite of what you'd do in the UK and you'll be fine.
If that fails just drive with your eyes shut.
There are some lovely drives to be had so don't be put off by anything I've written!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff