We'd like to get advice about renting a car from this airport. For those of you who have rented a car...what recommendation can you make about car rental agencies, car sizes, GPS, CDW, going into other European countries, etc.
Thanks so much,
Shari and Andy Dunning
Try the aggregators Kemwell and Autoeurope as well as looking directly at the websites of Hertz, Avis, Europcar and Sixt.
All rentals direct from the rental companies will automatically include CDW but with a deductible of at least 800Euro. You can reduce the deductible to zero by paying a hefty premium.
he big advantage of Kemwell and Autoeurope is that their rates in Italy always (at least in my experience) have a zero dollar deductible!
Regarding car size go with the smallest feasible for you AND your luggage. Boot space can be very tight in some small models but a small car will be much easier to park, drive on mountain rds etc.
Do not hire a gps unless you like being screwed over. If you have a gps at home get the maps you need. If you don't, get a product like sygic which is a gps for a smartphone and requires no data connection once you download the maps at home. I swear by it.
You can take Italian hire cars into wetern European countries. There are restrictions on Eastern Europe that vary between rental companies and even the type of car you have. It is easy to find this information on the rental company websites
I forgot to say. If the car goes into France by law you need a breath testing kit with you. Also you must carry snow chains or use winter tyres from mid November to mid April in many parts of Italy. Germany and Austria have similar regulations.
If you say what other countries you intend to visit and what month you will be visiting people will be able to give any specific advice you may need.
And I will get in now and say you will need an International Drivers Permit from the AAA and to watch out for ZTLs. I will let someone else regale you with the details.
Thank you very much. We will go to Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and possibly Bosnia & Herzegovina. Yes, we were aware about the international driver's license.
As a starting point go to Kemwel's website. When you put in your booking information for a quote check the box that says you intend to drive into Eastern Europe. There will be a premium for this.
Doublecheck the details as some car rental companies prohibit Slovenia - even though it's in the EU! I think it's a bureaucratic insurance leftover. Also you need to get a Highway Tax sticker at the border when you enter Slovenia.
Since you will be on the road a lot, I'd get a compact (Fiat Punto not Panda). It's much more comfortable and does highway speeds more easily and quietly.
Check with your home auto insurance company. Our Geico policy in New Hampshire covers the deductible. As does our Visa card.
Also the French breathalyzer requirement was either rescinded or not enacted. I asked about it on a Nice rental in October.
Be careful with relying on credit card insurance coverage for Italy car rentals. Many companies exclude Italy ( and a few other countries as well).
