Car Rental

Thanks. It was a good quote for a Ford Focus of about 400.00CAD. We were wondering if they were legit.

Lorraine,

One point to mention....

For driving in Italy, each driver will need the mandatory International Driver's Permit. Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot!

This must be used in conjunction with your home D.L., and the IDP can be obtained easily at any AAA office.

Happy travels!

Thank you. We have the licence.

From Gemut's report-"What you should know about renting a car in Europe".
(http://www.gemut.com/Carrentalspecialreport7.pdf)

"Avoid Small Companies
Most of the rental cars in Europe belong to the “big three”: Europcar, Avis, and Hertz. Sixt is prominent in Germany and growing rapidly elsewhere. National, now owned by Europcar, is mostly limited to major towns and airports. We recommend sticking with these five. If your car breaks down, you want to be as close to help - and a replacement car - as possible. Avis, for example, has more than 350 locations in Germany alone. Thrifty, on the other hand, has offices that the company says “serve airports in Munich, Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt” and “20 other suburban locations.” Suppose you’re somewhere up around the Baltic and the transmission in your Opel starts making noises like a wounded cat; would you rather it be an Avis or a Thrifty rental car? Make sure, too, that if you’re picking up a car at an airport, your chosen company really is at the airport. In Germany, for example, some smaller suppliers require that you phone from the airport and request a shuttle ride to their off-airport location. That means you’ll ride the shuttle both ways, the start of the rental and at the end. For the most part, the major companies mentioned above all have rental counters and vehicles right at the airport; you’ll sign the contract and walk to your car."

If you were to use Autoeurope for example they will go through one of the big rental companies.

We are also looking to rent a car for about 12 days in June of 2011, and my friend found a great rate with Kemwel. About $800 total for everything, I think. Has anyone used this company and if so, how were they? Also is an Int'l Drivers Permit mandatory now? When we drove in Tuscany in 2008 we did not have that. Thanks!

Have not used Kemwell but did get quotes from them one time. $800 seems high to me for 12 days. Check with autoeurope or gemut and compare. By Italian law an IDP is required. You may not be asked for it and chances are you won't but it is better to spend the money for it than take a chance. If you are asked for it by the authorities and don't have it you are subject to a hefty fine on the spot. You can get one at your local AAA office.

We are going to Italy in september and are flying into Nice were we are to take a car (buy & sell) in french it's achat\rachat. A new Peugeot 207 small car for 19 days 1390$. We will return on Oct 7 to Nice and drop the car at the airport. Going to Valle D'aosta (Turin), CT, week in Tuscany, Venice & Lake Como. Could be on option.