We will be driving from Milan to the Italian Dolomites and staying a week there. Then we travel to Bavaria and stay for a week before flying out of Munich. How difficult is it to rent a car in one country and return it in another? Are there horrendous surcharges? If we can't take the car over borders, an option is to drop the car in the Dolomites and train to Munich, picking up a car and driving to Bavaria. Comments? Suggestions? Thank you!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23564 posts
It can be done but two issues always come up. The drop charge can be horrendous equally the rental cost or more. But you just have to ask for a quote for the different companies as their policy and fees vary. Some rental companies will prohibit taking their cars into other countries. So just ask and be sure everyone knows your plans.
Posted by
Anacortes, WA, US
56 posts
Often it makes sense to drop off the car in a border town, or one with good rail connections, then cross the border to pick up a new rental in the next country.
Posted by
NYC area
2956 posts
Hi Kay, You can most likely rent in Milan and return in Munich, but check the drop off fee's. Could be very expensive. You could check to see if you could drop the car in Bozen/Bolzano and then train to Garmisch, Germany. You probably don't need to go all the way to Munich for your car rental in Germany. I believe you can rent a car in Garmisch. Paul
Posted by
OP
America's Vancouver and the First
110 posts
Paul, that is the solution my husband has come up with. I should also mention that the week prior to the Dolomites we'll be in Paris. I had thought we could either fly into Milan, Venice or Munich. If Munich, it might be possible to drive down to the Dolomites from there and after Bavaria, we'll fly out of Munich.
Posted by
NYC area
2956 posts
Hi Kay, Munich is actually closer to the Dolomites than Milan. For instance, from Munich to the Val Gardena area of the Dolomites, it's about 3 hours or so drive. Paul
Posted by
NYC area
2956 posts
Hi Kay, Just wanted to say we've flown to Munich and rented a car there (and returned it there) for all our trips to the Dolomites ('03, '05, '06 and '09). Paul