My wife and I traveling to Scotland Aug-Oct 2013 Several questions on car rental expenses and air travel (a) I've read there is a 17.5% VAT tax on car rentals? True? Is that normally included in the price of the car rental? (b) Also read there is a 25% tax on gasolne, true? (c) We are planning on visiting the Orkney's and Isle of Skye. However, I've also read rental companies dont' normally allow traveling on ferrys?? (d) Understand there are steep taxes on passengers flying OUT of the UK? Would that not be covered in the airline ticket; or may I expect a addiitonal charge to leave? Flying out of Scotland - via Ansterdam and then to the U.S. (e) Does anyone know if there is a age limit for seniors on renting a car in Scotland? (f) From what I've researched (and read from replies to a earlier post) "AutoEurope" appears to be the least of hassels in rental options for our Scotland tour. Our challenge remains we will need a rental car for more than 30 days allowed under insurance with either M/C or AMX. Appreciate experienced travelers suggestions --- thus far I've gained the MOST information by posting to this query list. thanks
Bruce
Posted by
Edinburgh, Scotland
3 posts
Hi Bruce. a) and b) Value Added Tax (VAT) is 20% (used to be 17.5%) and is charged on most things. You will always (almost always unless you are buying trade items or services) be quoted inclusive of VAT. Car rentals and petrol pricing should already include it, but do be careful with car rental. Some of the bigger companies leave off taxes and insurance and charge them later as "extras" which is really annoying when you find out. c) With [website deleted] you can take cars on ferries to all the islands. You can also take the car to Mainland Europe or Ireland as long as you have the correct forms from the rental company. calmac.co.uk is the company for the island ferries and Northlink or Pentland ferries (google for them) to go to Orkney and Northlink also go to the beautiful Shetland islands. From Orkney drive around the stunning North West of Scotland and down to Ullapool, take the ferry to Lewis and experience the stunning islands of Lewis and Harris before taking the ferry to Skye. d) Whatever you pay for your flight ticket to/from Scotland will include all the taxes and charges. Nothing extra to fly out. e) With most companies, 70 is the age limit. With celticlegend.co.uk there is NO LIMIT!! If you are over 75, you need a doctor's letter to confirm you are fit to drive. f) Shop around. You should get much better deals with local companies. autoeurope is a generic search machine which looks at the main multinationals like Avis and Hertz and give you their prices (which you are perfectly capable of doing on your own). They do not own any cars themselves.
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1633 posts
Hi Bruce, I always use www.britishcarrental.com when I'm in the UK. Although it is a Canadian family business I can't imagine they wouldn't work with Americans. The service is terrific. Don't worry about the cost of gas. In May and June we drove all over Scotland and Northeast England and only had to fill the tank four or five times. Andrea