Crazy car rental prices!

Rental car demand exceeds supply this summer. The situation you are describing is extreme, but not unheard-of...
Where are you trying to go? Perhaps a rental car is not the only option?
Also, look at car rental offices in Mestre or in Venice proper; perhaps you will get a better deal - but automatic options might be scarce.

By requesting an automatic drive already elevates you to the highest priced categories, curious what were the quotes for a standard drive?

I am sure you can visit wherever you want to drive by taxi or tour for that price.

I suspect the 'short notice' has a lot to do with it. Looking at Sept., rates are half that or less.

Car rental prices have been ridiculous for at least a year. I’ve been planning a 3 week trip (Munich to Frankfurt) in a minivan, originally for this year, then postponed until next summer. Rates have been around $2400 for an automatic. I just booked a manual for $450, fully insured with no deductible.

Look at other rental locations nearby: P. Roma, Mestre, etc.

@periscope - prices for nonautomatic were around $400 cheaper - but still in the “thousands..” for 2 days

You could get around it by using a car service. My Day Trip will arrange last minute trips. There are also self employed private drivers and local companies as well.

I went into Expedia to see what's available those days, and Sixt was ridiculously priced. I never liked dealing with them even at normal rental prices anyway.

Budget Car rental is more like $253 for manual shift mid size cars, and the same car with an automatic is more like $292.

There are other car rental options available online.

Beware that the government in Italy requires DPW insurance to be purchased on all rental cars. And the DPW fees should be reasonable by government mandated rates. But rental companies often throw personal goods insurance on the rentals that pays if your personal belongings get stolen--a rip off. This is optional and can be declined. Also note that anytime you rent a car at an airport or train station, they will charge a "location surcharge" that can be avoided if you rent from a city center location.

There is a radar-camera on the causeway out to Venice that issues tickets to drivers going 1 kph over the posted speed limit of 35 mph equivalent. Don't ask me how I know how to pay tickets to city checking accounts in Euros from the U.S.

thank you David! Budget defiantly seems more reasonable!

Or, perhaps you could get around the rental issue entirely by using a car service. There are many local companies as well as bigger multinationals like My Day Trip who could help you, for way less money.

I used gemut.com, which isn't a rental agency but a travel agency. See if they can help you.

I've used Gemut.com each time I've rented in Europe, most recently last month in Greece. I've had good service each time, and while prices are up all around, there's was reasonable - even less than if I had booked direct through Auto Union.
And if you are beginning in USA, they have a number in the USA you can call if you have difficulty with your reservation, even if it's just that the pick up location is not cooperating with what you've reserved.

Whole-heartedly recommend

Hello,
Are you staying in Venice? There are no cars there. I have been there and travelled all over Italy and in my opinion, there is no need to rent a car as Italy has fantastic public transport by train and bus. It is very easy to travel and purchase tickets, and you do not have to worry about finding parking or your vehicle being broken into or damaged or getting traffic tickets (that can come YEARS later from both the rental car agency AND the police) for driving thru/into ZTL's (restricted areas) that you may do so unwittingly. Save yourself a lot of headaches and just take public transportation.

Hi, no - we fly into venice and want to drive up into the dolomites. agree in cities, no car needed!