Rental Car - France - Suprisingly Inexpensive!?!?!

You didn't mention insurance. I have been looking at rentals and thought the quoted prices were low as well. I am also suspect of other charges than the quote.

When budgeting your car, don't forget tolls and gas.

For reasons mysterious to me, car rentals in France seem to be much cheaper than in some other countries. Last spring we rented from Europcar, through Autoeurope, Four weeks cost a little over $400. That wasn't for the smallest class of car, either.

Same here: Kemwel through Autoeurope in May, we paid about 130 for a week, but another 90 in France for taxes. We use our own upgraded American Express policy for insurance.

We've just started looking at car rental options for southern France, and the rates seemed surprisingly low, too. We've wound up using Europcar many of the last few times, but are open to the best car at the best price. Three other things to consider: are you ordering the transmission type you want (manual vs. automatic), is A/C included, and is that small car still big enough for the two of you and being able to stow your luggage out of sight, in the trunk or under the hatch cover?

That price does not sound unusual, assuming that it does not include much CDW insurance coverage.

I think you might even do better if you shop around. Drop fee?

Yes, Hertz does have a drop fee in France if you're returning it to another location, at least for some locations. I paid €50 in 2012 to rent in Colmar and drop in Chartres. It may depend on the size of the Hertz rental location you're returning it to or the distance away from the pickup location - I'm not sure.

The prices quoted do not appear to include any insurance. I opted to pay for the full insurance and was glad I did. I was involved in a multi-car fender bender (not my fault but that doesn't matter in France) and was glad I didn't have to wait for reimbursement from a credit card insurance. I didn't have Am Ex.

Agree that when budgeting be sure to included gas and tolls in your calculations - you can get this info if you use viamichelin.com to figure your mileage from point to point.

I agree with others, you actually might do better with AutoEurope or Kemwell who arrange for their rentals through Hertz, Europcar, Avis, etc. You can check their rates online. If you pick up and drop off within the same country (France), you will often not be charged a drop off fee. Check it out. Also, if you are going to have two drivers with the same last name, Europcar will not charge you extra for the second driver. France rentals are inexpensive compared to other countries. Check with your rental company for what they cover insurance wise. Some individuals use their credit card for collision insurance. I prefer to use Travel Insured with complete coverage for my rental car; i.e., loss of use, tires, etc. CDW insurance from the rental company can be very expensive. Lots to consider and investigate. Enjoy the freedom of driving.

We have never paid a drop free between two locations in France -- I would not rent from Hertz for that reason.

We seem to have been kissed by the drop fee fairy as we avoid one years ago between Rome and Paris and most recently we had steeled ourselves to pay one on a drive from Amsterdam up the Rhine through southern France dropping in Paris. But we didn't pay one because we were returning a Paris car from Amsterdam. Pure luck -- as I said we have been kissed by the drop fee fairy. But within a country-- paying a drop fee is like paying ATM withdrawal fees. If your bank charges them, change banks. If your car rental charges them, use another company and tell them why.

We have never paid a drop free between two locations in France -- I would not rent from Hertz for that reason.

We seem to have been kissed by the drop fee fairy as we avoid one years ago between Rome and Paris and most recently we had steeled ourselves to pay one on a drive from Amsterdam up the Rhine through southern France dropping in Paris. But we didn't pay one because we were returning a Paris car from Amsterdam. Pure luck -- as I said we have been kissed by the drop fee fairy. But within a country-- paying a drop fee is like paying ATM withdrawal fees. If your bank charges them, change banks. If your car rental charges them, use another company and tell them why.