My family and I are spending 2.5 weeks in Europe this summer. We want to travel by car via rental. We're just shy of the requirement to lease a vehicle so a rental is our only option. With smaller children we do not want to do trains. We are flying into Paris and would be driving through Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and Czech. Problem is, I can't seem to find a rental company out of Paris who would allow us to take their car into Prague! I'm exhausted from searching and no one I've spoken to has been able to help. Anyone have any tips they can offer for a Paris rental company that allows inter-country travel to include Czech Republic? Thank you!
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8145 posts
I think you'll find that picking the car up in Paris and dropping it off in another country is going to come with very expensive drop off fees. Someone's going to have to drive that vehicle back to France. Therefore it's best to pick cars up and drop them off in the same country.
I'm sorry, but you're taking a rather aggressive itinerary for someone that has young children--and only 2 1/2 weeks for 7 countries. Distances where you're wanting to go are great.
Have you considered simplifying your itinerary? I find Switzerland and Austria to be interchangable (same Alps), and Austria is much cheaper and easy to travel through. Belgium and the Netherlands are too far to the north, and I'd skip'em.
I suggest getting a good travel guide and figuring out what sights you place as a priority.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for your reply, let me clarify. I am picking up and dropping off in Paris, same location, not a one-way rental. I'd just like to take the rental car to Prague and no one seems to allow that, strange. This isn't my first time to Europe so the itinerary set is fine for us, thank you for your insight though.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8145 posts
Okay. You might check with AutoEurope and see if they can place you with a car rental outfit that allows their cars to go into Czech Republic. They're a large travel consolidator located in New England.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3163 posts
Follow up on David's suggestion- call auto Europe's toll free number and speak with one of their very knowledgeable and helpful customer service associates. Don't rely on their web site for the answer.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1216 posts
Hi tisenart. Try Sixt; they are a very large and reputable rental company in Europe. We rented from them in 2015 and they allowed us to drive into CR with no concerns. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Bob! I just took a look and it looks like they will!! Weight off of my shoulders, I appreciate the tip. :)