Will be renting a car for our trip Marseille>Provence>Chamonix>Burgundy>Paris. Plan is to return the car when we arrive in Paris. Any recommendations on company we should use, car type to get? Other advice? The big companies I'm familiar with (Avis, Hertz) seem to have good rates. Automatic vs Standard shift? I'm tempted to go with a standard to save some money, but it's been a while since I've owned a standard. A bit concerned with the mountainous trip to/from Chamonix with a standard.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1261 posts
Hi. It's been 19 years since I owned a manual shift car. The only time I drive one is when I rent one in Europe. But when I do, shifting / driving feels natural (and fun). :)
I've rented seven times in Europe; the first six times with Hertz, Avis, and Sixt went well. Last rental with Hertz was horrible; they have a collection agency calling me for a charge that I have already paid. When I contact Hertz customer service, they keep routing me around to different departments, but will not provide a person I can actually talk to to resolve. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
283 posts
We have been using Hertz in Europe the last few trips and been very satisfied. We also always get a manual shift, especially if we are going to be driving in the mountains. If you have learned a manual in the past, you will be fine - it does come right back.
Posted by
Everett, WA
1299 posts
I use Autoeurope. It will compare rates of the different companies and offers full insurance for a better price. They also have a 24 hour helpline and I have used it. I had a person at the car rental desk that was just refusing to give me the car at what I had agreed to pay. I called Autoeurope and they took care of it. I have had good experiences with Hertz and Europcar. (booking through Autoeurope). Just be sure you read all your paper work completely and know what charges have not been included in the rental. (Many countries have a road use tax that you pay when you pick up your car.)
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
Manual is like bike-riding. You never forget how. It will surprise you how quickly it comes back to you, though you may kill the engine once or twice at the beginning. Many European cars have a setting so that shen the car is stopped the engine turns off. As soon as you engage the clutch it restarts. Diesels are usually an option and are more economical because they get much better mileage.
Make sure the car is large enough to be comfortable on long drives and that the trunk will hold all your luggage (you don't want to leave anything visible inside the car when you park. If there are only two of you and you pack fairly light, any 4-door car should do it. I shop around, usually start with AutoEurope (a consolidator) and then compare with direct rentals. Read the fine print, though. Sometimes there are surcharges that are included on a direct rental but that aren't included in the Auto Europe quote.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2707 posts
Both Hertz and Avis will charge you a drop off fee. Europcar and Sixt typically do not charge one way fees for in France drop off and pickup.
Automatics cost more, are taxed at a higher rate (look closely at the environmental charges paid at drop off), and are often difficult to obtain unless you pickup at a large airport. Ordering an automatic does not always mean you will receive one.
If you have an American Express card, sign up for their rental insurance plan. Cost is $20 to $25 per rental period and unlike other credit card insurance plans, the AE plan is primary coverage meaning you simply walk away from any claim or accident. Typical insurance plans, those from Visa or MC, only reimburse you for the damages you pay and then only to the extent that they estimate repairs should cost, not the actual cost. Rental company insurance options are very expensive and can have very high deductibles. Check the details for any insurance coverage you are planning to use.
That´s an ambitious itinerary. One assumes you are spending a number of weeks in France.