I want to rent a car in Nice and return it a week later at the Marseille airport.
Then, I want to rent a car in Caen and return it a week later in Dinard.
Then, I want to rent a car in Kinsale or Cork and return it a week later in Dublin.
I appreciate any and all advice. Thanks and keep travelling.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11175 posts
Make reservations ahead of time.
Not really sure what the question is
Posted by
Milwaukie, Oregon
1056 posts
Get the full insurance coverage. Don’t forget to get your international drivers permit before you leave the USA (available at your local AAA office). Remember that they drive on the left in Ireland, so if you get a stick shift you’ll be shifting with your left hand.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15582 posts
Learn the rules of the road for each country and the requirements for rentals (like an IDP).
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
I'd use AutoEurope or Kemwel for all of it.
Posted by
Michigan
375 posts
Reserve ahead of time. We've used AutoEurope several times, but would probably just go directly to Europcar or Hertz or whatever next time.
Reminder, it takes longer to get where you going...if Google Maps says it takes 2 hours to go from X to Y, plan on at least 3.
Don't let them pawn off a larger car than you want...the agency in Bordeaux gave us an "upgrade," and we ended up with a small Jeep which was too big for Europe's small car culture/parking. We're pretty sure they thought the Americans would be glad to have a Jeep...since no one else wanted it.
The French drive fast, so do the Italians. The Irish, while on the "wrong" side of the road, at least have a leisurely way about them.
Automatics are going to cost more than manuals.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
My only surprise in France is rental agencies regularly take a long lunch. Hours are often something like 6:30 to 11:30 AM then 2 to 6 PM. This was true even in large cities like Rouen. Airports are probably open all the time, but the cost may not be worth it. If you search for a car and enter noon as the pick up/drop off time, your search will show far fewer options because it won't pick up all the agencies who are at lunch. Use a pick up/drop off time of 10 AM or 3 PM when you search for your rental.