Rental car size question

We rented an Opel 2 years ago. There were 4 of us, 4 backpacks, 3 carryons, 1 large duffle bag, pursed and other stuff. We made it. The big duffle bag sat in the middle of the back seat. If all you are taking are 4 21" carryons I guess you will be fine.

I have driven an Astra wagon. Capacity was around 500 litres from memory. Search for 'boot capacity' rather than 'trunk size' as the English use the word boot.

I rented an Opel Astra wagon a few years ago. And the back end exactly handled four 21" rolling bags. The trick is getting the wagon.

Anyone that travels with me will be limited to one 22" rolling bag and a small backpack. And they must be able to handle their own luggage. You can travel indefinitely with that size bag.

Company websites usually have diagrams of various car sizes showing number of peeps and luggage. 4 big pieces of luggage are going to take a lot of space.

I don't know why we didn't make a note of the vehicles we rented the LAST time we traveled in Europe together !

But we were in Italy and Austria.....

If it states "Wagon" in the rental description, do they normally give you a wagon ????

I just recommended Gemut.com to someone else, so now it's your turn. They are experts in Germany and Austria and use Auto Europe for their clients. The information they provide online is free, as is calling them for advice. Be sure to thoroughly explore their website and read the brochure for detailed information. Then call Andy for more help.

Here's what the brochure says about wagons: Station Wagon: Sometimes referred to
in Europe as a Kombi. Come in three sizes: compact (VW Golf, Opel Astra), midsize (Vectra, VW Passat) and full-size (Volvo V70). You pay more for a wagon than for the same model sedan. Though wagons offer more luggage space, unless you pull the retractable cover—which reduces the luggage space to sedan size—your gear is exposed. For four people we like the midsize sedan over the compact wagon;
more passenger comfort and almost as much luggage room. In a pinch, the midsize and fullsize
wagons can carry five people but someone has to ride in the rear center seat.

That's just a taste of the kind of information you can find there. And don't forget about the International Driving Permits, also talked about in the brochure. There is a section on p.15 about taking a rental car to "Eastern" Europe, including Croatia.

I have a Ford Fiesta, which is a size smaller than the Focus. I think I could fit your group plus luggage in it. It would be a tight fit and may require storing a bag in the middle of the back seat. For four adults I think you might want a larger car than the Focus so you won't feel squeezed in.

Don't carry a loose piece of luggage - in the middle of the back seat or anywhere else - in the passenger compartment, any more than you would carry a loose - unseatbelted - person in a car.

If it is not strapped in very carefully you are looking at some very unpleasant consequences. A suitcase flying around the passenger compartment if the unthinkable should occur will have many times its real weight in impact energy with devastating results. Everything in a passenger car passenger compartment should be properly secured.

If it isn't secured it should be in the boot.

Hi Carla,
Four of us rented a Ford Focus wagon in Italy thru' Gemut. We each had a 22" carry on as well as day bags, one RS Appenzell size and 3 Civita bags. We stored all of our bags except my Civita (I wanted it up front with me for convenience sake) in the luggage compartment with no problem at all. Our car was a diesel and we found it had lots of power and was good on fuel consumption. It was easy to find parking for it as well. When touring around for 3 weeks, with luggage in apts. etc. the back luggage area became a great picnic platform too. Sherry

Thanks, y'all !