Car rental prices

I check with several American car rental companies and compared what you have and you got a good deal. Assuming you're actually fortunate enough to stay there for 21 days, I can't imagine why you would want to have a car for the entire time. Unless a group traveling together and you're trying to save money, or have a specific sight seeing agenda, the area you're traveling through is easily accessible by train. You can rent a car in most cities for a day or two in the countryside and driving in cities there is, well, somewhat risky at best....and parking is usually at a premium. Train stations, on the other had, are almost always centrally located. I calculate that you're spending about $1,100 with tax and that's a lot of train and bus rides, plus the time you save in the car. Regardless, have a great trip.

Skip, I agree with what Jim said. Italy is very mass transit friendly and big cities are NOT car friendly. Think New York City. We spent 21 days in Italy in June and rented a car for 3 days. Unless you're spending all your time in some remote farmhouse in Tuscany, you don't need a car. Rome has a good subway system and Termini is centrally located, and parking places are passed down from father to son in an elaborate ceremony resembling a briss. On our trip we went from Milan-CT-Tuscany-Florence-Lucca-Milan. We had the car for three days in Lucca (actually Bagni di Lucca) and it was great. You will not want a car in Cinque Terre.

Thanks for the input Based on past experience and a crappy exchange rate, seems like a good price to me too. Just driving around rural Tuscany. Been on lots of trains in France, Italy and Switzerland from fancy to local stopping every 5 minutes. Not a fan. Our plan is to hopefully never be on one again unless
a high speed long trip.

Dear Skip, I just rented a car in Italy and you definitely found a good rate there. I paid at least half again as much and it was the best I could find at the time. I love driving in Tuscany and I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Sounds like a good price. Even though you have locked in this price, you can keep checking back for a lower price or new "sale". You can always call them back and have them re-adjust your contract. I did this last year when the price for my rental went down $200 for a five week period. We also enjoy driving through the countryside of Italy. Have a great trip, October is a perfect time to be in Italy.

Thanks for the idea Denise. Never would of thought to do that.
By chance found my bill from last year with Avis. 42 euros a day, about 40 per cent more than this year 's cost based on current exchange rates.

Is it cheaper if you rent for longer time frames. We have been conned thinking we have a great price and then when we get back to the States we battle with the Car Rental. I will NEVER use sixth co again. We are still looking for money back on them. Be real wary of what you sign when you get there.
Pat

There is usually a better rate for longer rental periods. We had a car which we rented through gemut for 21 days and got a rate break. We turned the car in on the night of the 20th day since we were staying at a hotel close to the airport in Stuttgart and took the hotel's shuttle bus the next morning to the airport. When I turned in my paperwork for the car at the airport I was informed that I owed a little extra because I turned the car in a day early which voided my 21 day discounted rate. After talking with the man at the counter he graciously did some creative computer adjustments which allowed me to maintain the 21 day rate.
Skip, you may want to check with gemut.com for a rate comparison. Although they have an affiliation with autoeurope they will compete with them on rates.