I need opinions please. My husband and I are going to Portugal (very last minute, leaving on Tuesday). We were planning on renting a car for 3 days from Lisbon to Porto. We are staying at the Bussaco Palace and I was really looking forward to having the freedom of the rental car so we could stop on the way anplace that strikes us. I just realized the rental car will cost me $320 for those three days..is it really worth it for that price?
Thanks
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
Use kayak.com to find deals on cars. That rate seems very high to me. There's much to see along the way. The old library at the university in Coimbra is outstanding. I would definitely get a car.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
"Worth it" is by definition in the eye of the beholder. You do not however need a car to visit the Bucacco Forest. (You still might prefer to do so.)
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10629 posts
Ask yourself how many more times in your life will you be in Portugal driving from Lisbon to Porto and I think you'll have the answer.
Posted by
OP
Fullerton, Ca, USA
87 posts
That price includes zero deductible if that makes a difference
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
Just check a few other rental places, and if you get a better price... take it. Also, if you have Amex you can purchase insurance from them for about $30 for a month long period on rental cars... then you do not have to take their extra insurance. Last minute price may be why it is high, but go to Priceline and compare a few companies.
Posted by
2081 posts
hi, i dont look at it as 300 for 3 days, i look at it as 100/day. you can spend that much on a dinner for 2 and not have as much fun except for getting food poisoning. happy trails.
Posted by
OP
Fullerton, Ca, USA
87 posts
the reason the cost was so high was an 80 euro charge for a 1 way rental. that was with Guerin. Eurpcar says it charges that fee on one or two day rentals. this is all so confusing.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10603 posts
Check AutoEurope.com for prices. They are a consolidator located in the U.S.
Posted by
OP
Fullerton, Ca, USA
87 posts
that was with autoeurope. When I booked it and got the voucher that is when I found out the charge for the one way rental was an extra 80 euros on top of what I already paid.
Posted by
Dallas
1022 posts
It can pay to check the big companies' websites directly. Hertz is showing a three day one-way rental on a compact manual for €125 next week. Plug your dates in to see if that works for you. If you use credit card coverage instead of buying the rental company's CDW you can save money. I also use the Amex coverage which has been mentioned.
Posted by
Ann Arbor, Mi
3696 posts
I always go with the big companies... just works for me. Plug in your dates, and then try looking at the weekly rate... if its cheaper, book it that way. It often times is cheaper by the week... then I just turn it in early. I also never prepay and look occasionally to see if I can get it cheaper. The rates can change daily. If I find a cheaper rate, take it and just cancel the previous reservation.