Hello! We are planning a leg in the Lake District for 3 days on our UK trip this summer. This is sort of a pilgrimage for me! However, logistically it's getting sticky.
We are travelling with our teenage daughters. My husband is comfortable driving a manual but is a bit concerned about driving on the "wrong side" until he gets used to it, so we'd prefer to start off somewhere not too crowded. We thought of taking the train up from London to Oxenholme or Penrith to rent. I am finding that our return day, Sunday the 16th, agencies are closed. In the US we'd simply drop off the car and key to a lock box, but perhaps that isn't done; I am getting a no-go on a Sunday return when I try to book.
I considered that perhaps we'd return it on Saturday night, but might still want to use it based on where we may be staying, and it closes at 6.
Any thoughts or advice on rentals and Sunday returns would be lovely; we take the train to Edinburgh from our stopover in the Lakes.
Thanks!
Shelbey
Posted by
11569 posts
Is there any airport nearby, even a small one. Their rental car sites are open on Sundays.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7886 posts
I personally prefer to have my car inspected when I return it, although there certainly have been reports of alleged damage only billed after a "clean" return! Have you considered using a multi-company site (I mean, for instance, Expedia, but also sites that only deal with car rental companies) to see if they can save you inspecting the policies of each individual rental location? I presume you know that the big companies can clearly show you agency hours when you click through on their list of possible locations ... I mean, instead of just trying to book and getting a failed request.
Have you already made your decisions about insurance and multiple drivers and so on? That might affect which rental company you want to use. What city is the train to Edinburgh? Could you pick a bigger city?
Are you using a no-name rental company? Maybe a bigger company could offer more Sunday options. It's hard to believe that Hertz or Avis wouldn't have a lockbox option in the Lake District. (I did rent there, but it was very long ago. I think we kept the car on both sides of the Lake District ... )
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
First of all, you should think twice about renting a manual transmission in the UK. While the clutch pedal is in the same place, the gearshift is on the opposite side, so you need to shift with your left hand. Because it is stressful to drive on the left, it's not smart to add the stress of shifting with the "wrong" hand. I'd rent an automatic instead.
Next, the roads in the Lake District are very narrow and lined with stone walls. Most of the time there is no shoulder. The drive to Beatrix Potter's house was one of the worst driving experiences of my life (and I've driven on jammed Paris streets, potholed logging roads in Montana, and the 405 in LA). I'm not saying don't do it, but you must be prepared in advance to go slow and give way when a huge tourist bus takes up most of the roadway. Get the smallest automatic you can.
I've had no problem dropping off at a locked rental agency, but I always take pictures of the car in their lot to prove it was undamaged. Also keep the receipt from the gas station when you fill it up just before the drop off. Be prepared and have a great trip.
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2597 posts
I would keep the car until Edinburgh – it’s a nice drive through the Borders. So can you take a train from London to Manchester Airport, hire car, then return at Edinburgh Airport?
If that’s not possible then telephone the car hire places – try Carlisle as well - and ask about returning on a Sunday.