We are looking to drive from Lisbon to Sevilla and renting a car for one day to do so. Multiple people have warned me that there would be a big surcharge to take the car over the border as a one-way rental. However, I looked at booking a car through a website here in the states and even though the rental is more than we would pay here for a 1 day rental (quite a bit more) it's not extravagent. If I consider how much it would cost the 4 of us to fly, it's not bad at all. There is no reference to a one-way/country crossing surcharge. Have maybe some companies changed their policies since so many inquire about doing this? Or am I just being naive and missing something? I certainly do t want to be surprised by a huge fee on vacation.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17432 posts
What company are you looking at? You could always call them to clarify the drop charge policy---but also get it in writing.
Sometimes the initial quote does not include the drop charge--it only shows up after you commit to the booking (but hopefully have not pre-paid!) if it is not stated in the quote, I would be dubious, unless they have built it into the daily rate. You could check that by comparing the rate quote with a booking for the same time but returning the car in Portugal.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
131 posts
Just to be clear I haven't booked yet...I just did a search on kayak.com and the rental company is Auto Europe.
Posted by
Pacific NW, USA
331 posts
If it was me, I would call them and ask specifically about any surcharges. I just rented from them last week for our upcoming trip to Spain in March. I have used Auto Europe 3 times now and always call and rent over the phone so that any of my questions can be answered.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8319 posts
If you want to check on a flight, checkout Vueling Airlines online. They're one of the top budget airlines in Europe and service Spain and Portugal well.
I go thru AutoEurope.com and get a rate. Then I go onto Hertz.com using my company Gold Card and compare.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
131 posts
Will call tomorrow, although it says no hidden fees....
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
I just tried this on their website. They do quote a Fiat Panda at well under $100 for a 24-hour rental from Seville to Lisbon. They also say Our experienced car rental specialists will review your booking and follow up with your expected one way fee within 24 hours. As always, you can cancel or change your reservation and receive a full refund with at least 2 days notice prior to your pick-up date.
Taxes/Fee are not included.
Curiously, the company they show is Europcar, but using the Europcar site, there are no rentals available for that choice (either using the train station or the airport locations).
Let us know what the expected one way fee is.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
Auto Europe is not a car rental company. They are a consolidator.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3279 posts
I did the reverse, renting in Spain and returning to Lisbon. I also rented, for the umpteenth time, through AutoEurope. CALL THEM. One of their well trained customer services reps will research it and tell you all the fees. On my Spain to Lisbon rental, they found a rate with Avis in which the rental fee was slightly higher than competitors but the drop off fee was substantially lower. Saved me a few hundred dollars.
Also, make certain the car class chosen will accommodate your party plus luggage. A Fiat Panda is sorta like an overgrown roller skate - suitable for 1 or 2 but not a party of 4.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, USA
131 posts
Ok called today and there is a drop off surcharge of $350 for the quote I was seeing...I will say Auto Europe was extremely helpful! We will likely rent and pay the surcharge. The only direct flight would cost us $1128 as a family and the rental car is $641 (with insurance) plus we can stop at the beach in Faro etc and see some of the countryside on our journey.