My hubby and I are planning on renting a car in Provence, France and dropping it off in Naples, Italy. The two Auto Europe quotes I have received from local travel agents seem high to me, but I guess it is higher since we are returning the car in another country from where we picked it up. Any suggestions on companies to try? Also, has anybody driven over borders? Is this a hassle?
Thanks in advance.
Emily
Call all the agencies you are considering and ask if they charge a drop charge on your rental. If so, ask how much. You may find the charge varies with the agencies.
I have shopped for drop charges several times and always save money by doing it.
I agree with others who say that crossing that border will be simple. Remember that Italy now has a law requiring that you have the International Drivers Permit. Available at your local AAA office. If you have an accident the police will ask for it first.
Crossing the border between France and Italy will be like driving from one state in the US into another. No problem. However, since there is a high fee for picking up a car in one country and dropping it off in another, you might find it cheaper to drop off your car in Nice, take a train to Genova, and pick up another car there. The 2nd class train fare from Nice to Genova will be less than €20.
We always rent from Avis or Hertz. There are cheaper rental agencies but I like the reliability of these two companies and, if you have car damage, you're in a good bargaining position (Visa battled it out for me once in Germany with Avis). Driving over the border is pain free (you'll know you've changed countries by the language changes to the signs). Switzerland does have a border crossing delay (but it's minor). You have to pay for a special decal to drive in/through Switzerland (and it isn't cheap). It's a real moneymaker for them. (You also need a special decal in Austria, purchased at any gas station across the border and fairly cheaply.) It is significantly more expensive to pick up and drop off in different countries. Be sure to purchase a REALLY good (1:100000) road atlas for each country (purchase at the airport when you land or at any large gas station). We've found using a hi-lighter to plot out our drive to be quite helpful. I also mark with a post-it which page to turn to when the road I'm going to be driving on snakes off the page. We bring our road atlas back with us for use on the next trip so we can retrace places we particulary liked (or vice versa). I'm sure you can buy a good road atlas in the U.S. as well but make sure it has the city names etc. in the local language or you'll be driving forever looking for Munich or Florence! Have fun, it's a terrific way to travel.
I have used Auto Europe before but they do seem higher this year. Last yeat I used Hertz (join the #1 club) and I am using them again this year as they are cheaper this year too. I have found that it is cheapest to pick up a car in Switzerland and then drop it off in Italy. I have checked rates for picking up a car in France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands and Switzerland is a lot cheaper. This will be my 4th trip beginning in Switzerland (because of the car rental and its' central location. You can get to Austria, Germany, France, and Belgium by car in a few hours from Switzerland.
Crossing the border is easy to do as has been stated. I have rented from Hertz and Europcar each several times. The idea of picking up in France and dropping off in France and then getting another car in Italy has merit. It is good to compare the rates you will get from that method.
