I'm tentatively planning a trip for next April or May (or maybe 2025), and I was considering a one-way self drive segment from Bath to York for three total days, with more days of local explorations and using trains on both sides of the car rental. I tried a few dates with Europcar from Bath to York Train station, and I always get "Sorry, there’s no vehicle available at: Bath on May 7, 2024 at 09:00" Is this really fully booked and no car (for the multiple dates I tried, at least 5), or is this not possible? I picked weekdays for both ends, thinking that would be most likely, and what I thought would be working hours. The idea was to pick up the car in the morning for one day of driving outside Bath, a day driving to York, and a day driving outside York, dropping off at the end of the day. Thank you for any insight.
Posted by
318 posts
Try looking at Enterprise Car Rental. We rented from them at the Bath location in September and were very happy with them.
Posted by
London, UK
417 posts
I’ve just tried a test booking with Enterprise for April 2024, picking up in Bath and dropping off in York 3 days later and it worked. Maybe this is something Europcar can’t do? Rather odd, though, if they can’t
Posted by
Lake District, England
8134 posts
It's interesting that a test booking for Europcar for those dates shows that they will do a Bath to Bath booking, but not a one way Bath to York booking.
More investigation (trying to do a York to York booking) shows that their York office appears to have closed. Leeds is now the closest Europcar depot.
It is only a short bus or cab ride from the depot to Leeds City railway station, but is an inconvenience.
Posted by
OP
U.S.
16 posts
Thank you maryellenhowen - I appreciate the tip to look directly at Enterprise. Indeed, they will do what I was looking for, but my goodness, different pickup and dropoff locations really add to the price. I'm continuing to figure out what might work for me for an itinerary, and knowing the price is valuable for planning.
I thought that Europcar would do this too, AmandaR, and thank you for confirming what I was seeing.
Thanks for the help, isn31c - I really appreciate it! Your experience and knowledge is really helpful in figuring out why I couldn't get it to work. I will take a look at the cost of Enterprise Bath to York vs Europcar Bath to Leeds plus bus or cab.
Also, clearly, I'm new to posting (but not to reading). I think it's possible my tagging isn't going to work. I'll get it figured out. I appreciate all the information I'm getting from my reading here - thanks all!
Edit: figured out tagging/mentioning, yay!
Posted by
Edmonton Alberta Canada
93 posts
I used Enterprise and was very happy with the service and staff. I’d give them a try
Posted by
OP
U.S.
16 posts
Thank you, Greg - it definitely looks like Enterprise is a solid choice. I appreciate hearing about your experience.