I usually rent a car when I go to England. This time, however, I am writing a book and will need to be in England a month. I will then be going to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany for an additional two and half weeks. I am wondering if renting will be the best option. I have to have a car, but is leasing still viable? Does anyone have experience with that?
Thank you.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Leasing doesn't work out well for the UK, especially when you can rent a car for under twenty bucks a day.
It works a bit better on the continent, sometimes, if you lease and return in France. However, you won't be there long enough to make it work.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8308 posts
Most think 3 weeks is the minimum where renting a car in France is worth the effort. Last time I looked at the lease programs, I was not that impressed.
I am a Hertz Gold corporate card holder, and we get very favorable personal use rates. I would suggest you look into joining Hertz' frequent renter program before renting as I believe you'll at least get a size upgrade for free--or other freebies. I think their program is free to join.
And I've also rented from AutoEurope.com, a New England consolidator and had good experiences.
Posted by
Beverly Hills, MI
813 posts
It all depends how brave you are. We did a lease in the UK last fall and found out the hard way that since the lease plans work on a loop hole in French VAT tax law, the cars all go back to France when turned in. This means that you will have a left hand drive car in a right hand drive country. It actually isn't that much of a problem as long as you have someone in the passenger seat to help you with passing on two-lane roads. You could look at picking the car up in the UK returning it on the continent. The thing I like about leasing is that you will get the car you reserved, it will be brand new, it will not smell of cigarettes or whatever, it comes insured better that what the rental car companies or credit card companies sell you and anyone in your family can drive it at no extra charge. You will know exactly what the cost is when you sign the contract and there will be no extras when you pick it up.