Plan on piking up car in Geneva airport, driving to Italy for 3 days and dropping off in Lucerne, Switzerland. Any suggestions on best car for the buck?
Posted by
Tualatin, OR, USA
123 posts
Tracey, Rick says to reserve the smallest/cheapest car you personally can stand and then hope they upgrade you. We followed this plan on a recent trip to Italy, traveling with 6 friends. We rented two cars (cheap/small) and ended up with one cheap/small car and one that was upgraded to a really nice BMW. Unfortunately, it wasn't the car I was assigned to!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Some travelers who have driven in Italy believe the best car for driving there is the smallest, narrowest car that will hold your luggage and any passengers. Bigger is not better when it comes to driving in Italy.
Posted by
Springfield, VA, USA
283 posts
Also, watch the autoeurope's "estimates" for people and baggage--they are always too small. Last year we upgraded for two people to a slightly larger vehicle, as the small ones looked like they would not have room for our small luggage. It turned out that we got a small mini van.
We have used them many times in France and have been very pleased with the price and the cars.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
I got a smart car thru Sixti.com for 9 euros a day, but it was not unlimited kilometres. The only catch is, I think you have to return it back to the origin.
On raileurope I thought I read the rent as you travel plan??
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
I rented an Alfa station wagon (small but very sporty) that held our luggage and was nimble on the Swiss mountain roads (I drove over one pass). It had a 1.9 litre diesel engine that provided all of the horsepower you could want with great mileage. With the full insurance coverage I think it was about $70 per day..for me, smaller is not always the best value...
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
I forgot to add that we rented the car in Milan, drove through N. Italy and Switzerland, then back into Italy and returned the car to Lucca...so there were drop off charges in their also.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA, USA
508 posts
You didn't mention how many people but we have had good luck with the Compact size in Europe (not the smaller ones like Economy). The trunk space is very limited and any smaller and you won't be able to fit two 22" suitcases. Any bigger and you might have problems navigating in small towns as another poster has previously mentioned. We have used Sixt, Avis, Kemwel and Carjet in Europe. We haven't had any problems with any of the four - we usually just pick the best price for what you get - some include all insurances and some don't.