I've read a number of posters recommending car rentals through AutoEurope, Rentalcars.com, Sixt, etc, so I'm starting to look into these early to make sure there is no impact to the lodging that I'm now working. This is for a 2-week September trip where we'll be picking up in Rovinj and returning in Dubrovnik. For one thing, we're planning to take a ferry from Venice to Rovinj that arrives at 8pm so I want to make sure we can get a rental after our arrival. I have tried autoeurope.com and autoeurope.eu and after I enter the dates and locations, it just spins and doesn't provide any rentals. Same thing with rentalcars.com except that it states there are no cars. I am able to find rental offers from Enterprise and Sixt on their websites so I know that the info I'm entering is correct. Am I missing something or checking too early?
I have seen several posts of people preferring Oryx via AutoEurope, so for comparison, I searched for Oryx to find their website separately and don't see anything so maybe they only work with brokers?
Also, do you mind telling me if you recommend pre-paying? I've always felt more secure with US rentals when pre-paying but I saw a notice with Sixt that $265 would be charged if the booking was pre-paid and then cancelled.
Thanks for your help!
Posted by
213 posts
I have been renting cars in Europe for a very long time. Always/most always through Auto Europe and always pay when bookings. Can cancel the booking without any penalty. If Auto Europe doesn't come up, they probably don't have an office in the area. It has been my experience Sixt is way higher in price then Auto Europe. Auto Europe is a broker, and you do the paperwork and pre-pay thru them but pick up the car at places like Hertz, Dollar, etc.
Posted by
163 posts
Book with AutoEurope as soon as you can. Then check the price as often as you want to see if it goes down and then modify the booking for the new price. I always do that and have saved a bunch in the past.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Okay, for some reason, AutoEurope is working but only with Sixt (maybe their system was down yesterday) but I still can't get a quote from Rentalcars.com although it comes up in a search for car rentals in Rovinj. I just did a test and am pretty dismayed that amongst the very many T&Cs, AutoEurope states "You may not take the rental vehicle on any type of ferry. It is only permitted if you obtain prior written permission from the Supplier. There is a fee of EUR 6.25 per day. The maximum charge is EUR 43.75 per rental" and we're planning to go to Korcula, so at what point can I be assured that we have that coverage? Since I have to check the box to agreeing to the T&Cs, how would I check this?
I also see that they include liability. I was planning to waive insurance because we've checked (and used on other trips), a coverage letter from our credit card insurance, but it looks like they don't give you that option. There are other things like "Damage to the roof and to the underneath of the vehicle are not covered by standard coverage" and "Damage to the following items is not covered: clutch, antenna, windows, rear-view mirrors, interior, lights" that seem odd and are clearly covered with our credit card insurance. And I'm not sure what "The deductible is unlimited if you do not purchase CDW/LDW or if it is not included in the rate." could mean.
Paying for insurance isn't a deal breaker for me but the uncertainty of taking the car on a ferry certainly is.
Hopefully you have some guidance for me.
Posted by
6519 posts
I think a lot of that is standard … and I don’t worry about any of it.
Could you wait till the next morning to get the car? Seems like it might be beneficial to have an open office at pickup so you can assuage your concerns about ferry travel.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
@valadelphia, no problem with the pickup the next morning but I'm definitely hung up on the "no ferry" stipulation. I see no way to check that out further with AutoEurope, but I can try calling them. So many people have recommended that website that I can't believe there's no work around.
Posted by
6519 posts
So many people rent cars in Croatia and go to islands, this must be a standard thing that you just have to pay extra for. If you have settled on a company, just ask them what their ferry charge is instead of Autoeurope.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
@valadelphia, I'm sure you're right (first time in country anxiety, ha); thanks for the support!
Posted by
Munich
260 posts
In Rovinj, I found Sixt and Enterprise as car rental companies. However, both offices are only open until 8 p.m. Remark: AutoEurope is a broker only.
Only Pula Airport has longer opening hours and also has the largest selection of car rental companies and cars.
It definitely makes sense to compare prices.
I see the following options if you arrive in Rovinj at 8 p.m.:
Try to arrange a later pick-up with the rental company.
Take a taxi to Pula Airport and rent a car from there.
It's better to stay in central Rovinj and rent a car the next day.
Or you skip the ferry-ride from Venice and take Flixbus from Venice to Rovinj or Pula instead.