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Rental car agency recommendation needed
I'm in need of picking up a rental car in Zurich at the airport and dropping it back at Zurich.
I need something as big as an Audi A4 wagon or Passat wagon or sedans of this size would be fine. Manual or automatic doesn't matter. Needed for 2 weeks, unlimited miles, travels will be in CH, F, D, and maybe I.
Anyone have a recommendation where I could reserve from the US in advance online or through phone?
Do I need to buy extra insurance to cover me while I'm there?
Is it recommended or required that I get an international drivers' license?
Thanks,
Marc
95M3
| | Reply » Rental car agency recommendation needed |
For self service, you're best bets are Europecar or Avis. You may be able to find better benefits and a cheaper price via consolidators. My favorite is Gemütlichkeit out of Portland, Oregon as they offer a service with a toll free number for 24/7 reservation support before/during/after your rental period. They also got some of the best prices I've found - you'll have to call to get a quote though.
A few pointers:
- Automatics are significantly more expensive than manuals
- You'll probably be able to get a one size larger sedan for the same price as a smaller wagon.
- Regarding insurance, check the coverage provieded by your credit card and your personal auto insurance co. Chances are, these are more than adequate for your Europe rental car.
- You're OK in Germany, France and Italy w/o an int'l drivers license but I think you may need one in CH (although I've never bothered, but I've also never been stopped).
- Italy may be the killer - this is the only country where supplemental comprehensive collision/theft insurance is mandatory and it could potentially double your rental price. The fine folks at Gemütlichkeit will advise you on your options.
- It is usually much cheaper to rent a car in Germany - it may be worth flying to Munich and driving to Zurich from there.
- It is signifiantly cheaper if you pick up your rental car at a location other than any airport or trainstation. These locations automatically tack on a ~20% surcharge. As long as your pick up and return are in the same country, there are usually no additional charges for "oneway" rentals (i.e. pickup at a non airport location and return at any location, including airports). If you do a oneway rental with pickup and dropoff in two different countries, be prepared for a HEFTY additional fee. Editted to add that this applies specifically to Germany rentals - I'm not 100% sure about CH rentals.
- Request a diesel if available - much better fuel economy and cheaper to refill.
| | Reply » Rental car agency recommendation needed |
Quote: I'm in need of picking up a rental car in Zurich at the airport and dropping it back at Zurich.
I need something as big as an Audi A4 wagon or Passat wagon or sedans of this size would be fine. Manual or automatic doesn't matter. Needed for 2 weeks, unlimited miles, travels will be in CH, F, D, and maybe I.
Anyone have a recommendation where I could reserve from the US in advance online or through phone?
Do I need to buy extra insurance to cover me while I'm there?
Is it recommended or required that I get an international drivers' license?
Thanks,
Marc
95M3 | I have used www.autoeurope.com but there prices have been rising. My latest site for rental is www.rentacar-europe.com they have been the cheapest on my last few trips. They may not rent high end cars such as audi's but autoeurope does. The difference in price between auto and manual is double for manual transmission. Both let you reserve online or phone with a minimal deposit. i mainly recommend the second site I gave you. I still shop around by typing in google or yahoo "Rental car rates in Europe" I always use my CC for insurance, but beware of loss of use charges by the rental company. They can charge you "loss of use" for the car not being used while being repaired. You are not required to have an IDL for rentals but I try to get one and hand both to them and the cops.
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Rental car agency recommendation needed