car rental in England - advice?

skye,

I don't find driving on the "correct side of the road" in the U.K. overly difficult, but it does require some concentration (especially travelling solo without a navigator). To answer some of the points you mentioned.....

• Transmission: If you don't know how to drive a manual transmission, try to rent an automatic. There are no guarantees that's what you'll get, but you can try. It would also be prudent to take a few lessons on driving a manual prior to your trip so that you get some practice co-ordinating clutch and shift, just in case the firm doesn't have an auto available.
• Rental companies: I can't remember which firm I used last time, but it may have been Hertz. You might check with a travel agent, look for ratings of car rental firms on Trip Advisor or contact Gemut.com as they may be able to help with some advice.
• Stuff to watch out for: The first thing that comes to mind is automated speed cameras. Be sure you stay within the speed limit. I'd suggest packing along a GPS unit (preferably one that "speaks") along with a good map.
• General advice: Some of the rules are different there, so you may find it helpful to have a look at a few websites on driving in England:

http://www.wikihow.com/Drive-in-the-UK

http://www.travelfurther.net/dictionaries/driving.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g186216-c9626/United-Kingdom:Driving.Tips.For.Visitors.html

I've found that driving in the U.K. always seems to take longer than planned (even on Motorways), so don't assume that driving time between two points will be as fast as shown on MapQuest or other sites. Be sure to allow lots of time for each trip.

Happy travels!

If you do not know how to drive a manual transmission, this is not a very good time to learn. While driving on the left is not that big an issue I would not want to compound it with having to pay attention to shifting gears. The dicey things tend to happen not on the open road but at low speeds in town or at roundabouts when you also need to pay attention to changing gears as well as everything that is going on around you. The other problem is that you will be shifting gears with your left hand which for many of us is very awkward. I always reserve an automatic since my wife absolutely can't drive a manual. A few years ago we rented through Hertz and they did not have the compact automatic I had reserved. After a few round of did I really want an automatic and my explanation of what would happen to their manual if my wife ever drove it the guy at the counter made a long face and came across with a mid size diesel automatic at no extra cost. It will cost more but you are on vacation to have a good time. Renting through a consolidator may not be the best way to win the argument if it comes to that. Even renting from a major rental company it would be a good idea to do the pick up at a big city/large facility where they have more vehicles in stock.

Skye:
I will second what Irv says. England is not the place to learn to drive a manual transmission. There is just too much going on. While the pedals are in the same place as an American car, you are shifting with your left hand. This takes some getting used to. You also need to go through the exercise of engaging the manual transmission while on an uphill slope. Unless you are adept at using a manual transmission, get the automatic at all costs.

When traveling in Europe, I always rent through Andy Bestor at gemut.com. While he deals mostly with car rentals in Germany and Austria, he is a valuable resource and will happily answer your questions. See if he can find you a good deal on a car rental in Britain.

I do know how to drive a manual transmission and do so when driving on the continent. I chose to rent an automatic in Ireland and I will do so again when I'm in England next Fall. It's not hard to drive on the left, but it does require more concentration. Even though I will pay more for the automatic I think it's worth it to not have to worry about staying on the correct side of the road while shifting with my left hand, remembering to look up and left for the review mirror, etc.

I use AutoEurope for car rentals. They are a consolidator based in Maine. You can check their website - AutoEurope.com - and they have an 800 number if you want to call them.

I always rent a car and I have a wonderful time. Driving on the left is not hard at all. I also use a manual transmission, and I've not had any trouble. If you've never used manual, I agree that England is not the place to start! AutoEurope.com is a great car rental firm. I have a video on YouTube about driving on the left and renting a car over there, but I'm not sure about the posting guidelines for that. You can search it if you are interested. Good luck, Skye! You'll love Cornwall!

My husband loves driving in the UK and we do try and get an automatic but haven't always been able to. Since he's so used to driving there, it hasn't been a problem when we haven't been able to get one - though if it was our first trip there, I would really try very hard for that. In the last several years we have used Hertz and have been very happy with them.

What everyone else said....but specifically on driving:

Driving on the left, in general, not much issue.

Roundabouts cause Americans some issues, maybe not those that travel, but...just wow!...they have put a few in near me...cannot believe the problems.

Beware of the many automatic things you do while driving. As an example, I found that if I came to an intersection, had to stop, then watch traffic before I turned; I instinctively would turn into the wrong lane (Turning right into the near lane, more so turning left into the far lane)

Having a navigator, more correctly someone to remind you constantly of your errors helps. (My wife would like that complement)

I too had more trouble driving on the left than I thought I would, including making those turns into the wrong lane. It helps to have a copilot who says "left left left!" when you start to do that. And I'd second (third, fourth?) the recommendation for an automatic, especially if you're not used to manual shifting anyway. I use manual on the continent but automatic in the UK.

That said, driving is probably the best way to see the southwest of England, and you shouldn't let the need to drive keep you from the places you want to see. Auto Europe has worked well for me in England and France.

As a 66 year old woman, I found driving in England to be a lot of fun'. A friend and I drove all over the Cotswolds and saw every garden we could. Back roads are a great place to practice. Get an automatic and be very aware of those tricky roundabouts (!) and you'll have no problem.

I rent cars all the time in UK and Europe and have never had trouble getting an automatic. Although I drove a manual in Europe and my car at home is a manual I do not want the added stress in UK. I would never prepay my car rental as the prices can change daily and I want to lowest price. Just go to priceline and hold the cheapest automatic car available. Check back regularly and if the prices go down change your rental and cancel the old one. I save tons of money that way... it does take a few minutes each time you check, but its worth it. Also, if you arrive and they do not have an automatic you can go to another agency. Just last week rented a car in Fl. and the rates went from about 450 a week to 200 something and I paid 160. Checked back the day before I left and the rates were back up to 225... just play the game and if you don't prepay it allows you to do that.