Any advice on finding an affordable car rental between Paris area with a drop-off location in Graz Austria. We would like to explore some off the beaten track areas of France, Switzerland and Austria but find the costs prohibitive (drop-off fee of 500 euro).
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23328 posts
Not a direct answer. But the drop off charges are high and sometimes very high. It is not like renting a car in New York and dropping it in PA. You might look at staying within one country and then pickup a new car in the next country.
Posted by
Glendale, Ca, USA
20 posts
I used Europecar 3 day rental. Nice, France to Murcia, Spain..200euro's rental then got hit with a 600 euro drop off fee!! It is cheaper to drop car, take a train across the boarder and pick up different car..
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
We actually found good rates with Hertz in Austria for drop offs.
I its an option, stop on the border, drop off the car, then train in. If you need a car in Graz, you can rent one there.
After exploring all the pricing options, we just wound up keeping the car the whole time, and paying the fees.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
I've never seen reasonable drop off rates when dropping off in another country, and I've looked a lot. I was just quoted 800E by Hertz for renting in Switzerland and dropping off in France.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Drop fees are totally outrageous and a rip-off. If you drive in France you will be hit with many tolls as you drive the autobahn. In both Switzerland and Austria you must purchase a vignette upon entering and MUST affix it to your car's windshield. The vignettes are in lieu of tolls.
In Switzerland I much prefer the public transport system which includes Trains, cogwheels, gondolas, buses, boats, trams, etc and they go everywhere you could possibly want to go and they are all covered 100% by the Swiss Pass.
I've rented cars and I've taken trains...we much prefer the trains.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
689 posts
To be fair to the OP, a car can be cheaper and faster in the Alps. For me to get from where I'll be in Switzerland to where I need to go in France (in Burgandy), for instance, I'll have to take a cable car, a mountain train, and FIVE regular trains.