Hello all. Wanted to know if anyone knew of a good rental car company where I can rent a car in Split (downtown/harbour; not the airport) that has unbeatable daily rates on automatic transmission cars. Everywhere I look it seems they run upwards of $80 and up per day. This would be for the second week of September, which technically falls in their shoulder season. Thanks.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
An automatic anywhere is luck of the draw. Even though you requested it, one might not be available when you arrive. Also, an automatic will generally demand a stiff premium.
I'd make two searches, a general one on Kayak and a separate one on Sixt. You should be able to whittle it down a little bit. Use the filters for location and transmission type.
If kayak foists you off on Holiday Autos, beware. I've tried them a couple of times, both with disastrous results. Neither was in Croatia, however.
Posted by
OP
Pico Rivera, CA
594 posts
Thanks Ed. Funny thing is that when I was looking at rental cars a few weeks ago Holiday Auto offered automatics for around $50 a day, but then I checked again a week or two later and the same cars jumped to about $80. I've been in touch with a local car rental agency, but am wondering why they're quoting me a completely different price than what is listed on their website. I used Google Maps to locate car rental agencies in Split. Of the ones that show, they all have a fairly high price. Just wondering if anyone knew of a place not listed on Google Maps.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
A consolidator like Auto Europe works with several local companies and offers a choice of in-city pick up locations (although you then have to Google map them to see exactly where they are). I am also seeing $81/day for a 3-day rental of an automatic. Rates for advance booking are sometimes the same for 1, 2, or 3 days, and again the same for 5, 6, or 7 days. See also http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/booking-a-car.
Posted by
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
57 posts
Hi Gabriel, as mentioned by Laura we used AutoEurope last year. But we did pay over $100 USD/ day for a 4 day rental (automatic SUV) with a pick-up in Split and a return in Rovinj which adds a few $ per day. Renttals in Europe are hit and miss for automatics and the addage "you get what you pay for" seems to drive the effort the company makes to have an automatic available. AutoEurope reserved a car with ORYX which had a convenient downtown location and were helpful (except for setting up the GPS properly).
We have had bad experiences with arrogant car rental places in France, so to make sure we had an automatic available we stopped by the ORYX office the day before we needed the car and emphasized it had to be an automatic or we'd rent elsewhere unless they wanted my wife to learn how to grind the gears on their car. The next day we had no problems and an automatic waiting. Note they will all try to upsell you on insurance and other items so determine if your car insurance or credit card will cover international car damage.