European car rental advice?

"McLarry" (McLarry)
02/25/2014 at 15:28 • Filed to: None

Hey folks, my wife and I are taking a trip across the pond in a few months to check out that other continent (we're from 'Murica). Our itinerary is starting in Rome, Italy from whence we spend some time exploring the country before heading up to meet some friends in northern Germany and kinda make our way from there down to Barcelona, Spain for our flight home. The question is transportation...some folks recommend the train, but I'm more in favor of renting a car. I hear, however, that one-way international rentals can be a big expense, but some countries are cheaper than others...Anyone out there have some knowledge or experience they'd consider bestowing on me? In gratitude I offer this ginormous desktop wallpaper of a lovely Lamborghini Miura:

DISCUSSION (47)

505Turbeaux > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:34

I used to run marketing for a European rental company and know all about it. You are going to be in Europe, do as Europeans do. You would be looking at 3-400 Euro one way fee, plus you would need full insurance to do it (or even to rent a car in Italy) in alot of cases. Best way to roll is to jet on Ryanair to your destinations or similar and rent a car for a short time if you think you will be exploring off the beaten track. Train is nice but pricey.

Flavien Vidal > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:36

Whatever you rent, it's not what you're gonna get lol

It's the rule number one :)

Also, maybe you could let us know your rental budget? Keep in mind, toll roads are a lot more expensive in Europe than in the US too... (no toll roads in Germany though). To give you an idea, last time I went back home, I rented a Golf for a month and it ended up costing 750 euros, but I brought it back where I took it. It was a slow ass diesel golf though. Still did 216kph on GPS in Germany, but slow to accelerate (0 to 60mph in MAYBE 10s lol).

Sixt usually gets you the best prices, so go with them.

bob and john > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:39

when i went there in italy, we have a reanualt megane C.

actually, let me link you to the write up i did.

how to europe trip

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505Turbeaux > Flavien Vidal
02/25/2014 at 15:39

Sixt is decent for in country rents, for one ways you want to go with Europcar or the parent company, National.

Flavien Vidal > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 15:40

oh ok, never did one ways... Europcar is expensive usually...

deekster_caddy > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:43

I spent a few weeks on vacation in the late 90's. Started in Germany, drove to Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and France. Was warned when I rented the car that I did not have insurance if I went to Italy (!?!). Check with your credit card about int'l rental car insurance coverage and the countries you will visit

When you are on ze autobahn and see blinky lights in the rearview mirror, get the hell out of the way. I was in a Mercedes C130 sedan somewhere north of Munich, foot held to the floor and topped out, something like 180 kph I think? Moved left to pass someone, saw ze blinky lights behind me, finished my pass quickly. Big BMW sedan whooshed by me and rocked my car. No idea how fast he was going but goddamn it happened quickly. I pushed my foot further only to find it was already on the floor... as I watched him zip over the next hill and disappear from sight. I was smiling the whole time.

Then my gf looked up from her book and said "how fast are we going?" I slowed down a bit...

505Turbeaux > Flavien Vidal
02/25/2014 at 15:43

It all evens out. the rental price at europcar is higher, but the insurance and one ways are cheaper. regardless, you are right. Slow ass cars, tiny. Fun though

McLarry > Flavien Vidal
02/25/2014 at 15:45

Thanks for the info! The budget is still hazy because I have no idea what ballpark I'm even looking for...trip will be about 3 weeks total, so I expect it to be steep. In the USA I'd expect less than $50/day so call that 750USD or ~550EUR...sounds like this will be a bit more, but that's what I expected. I don't mind paying a bit more... the car is something of a priority for me (big surprise on this site, I'm sure :P). A friend suggested a short-term lease rather than a rental...do you know anything about the pros/cons of that? I've never heard of Sixt, so that's great info - thanks!

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:47

I ended up with a Volvo diesel with a manual last time I was in Rome. It was a sedan, which was really too big for the trip we took (heading into Florence, for example, was hilarious). But the manual was nice, and I didn't fill that car up ever despite racking up almost 1000km.

Another friend who was doing the same trip as I was but arrived at different times got an Alfa Giulietta. He let me drive it a couple of times around the twisties in Tuscany. I'd probably recommend that or something similar if you can get it: pretty fun to drive, decent room but smaller than the Volvo and small enough for the city centers in southern Europe, manual, not available at all in the US so interesting.

The whole rental price was very reasonable. I would probably go that route if I were you, since you have a lot of destinations. I would expect Eurocar or the like could hook you up with a Rome to Barcelona rental.

McLarry > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 15:48

Thanks for the info! (On your other comment about Europcar as well - I'm not at all familiar with the European rental companies). That's surprising to me to hear that flights are cheaper than car rentals over there, but I think that way would work as well. I also want something of a 'European driving experience' (the Stelvio Pass, Autobahn, and Nurburgring come readily to mind), so a car is a must at some point... Another friend recommended leasing rather than renting - do you have any experience in that subject?

Klaus Schmoll > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 15:48

Solid advice!

davedave1111 > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:49

Take the train. It'll be quicker, cheaper, and it's just generally a better way to travel. You'll probably save enough to be able to hire a car everywhere you go.

A quick check - I used holidayautos.com - confirms that. You're looking at something in the region of $1200-1500 a week for an open-jaw rental, and that's just for a bog-standard supermini, not for the kind of thing you'd want to drive around Europe. For comparison, the same car from Rome airport and returned to the same location is about $150 for a fortnight.

You really want to look into European rail passes. They're cheap enough that you're looking at a few hundred dollars for basically unlimited rail travel for two people. That leaves plenty over for car rental.

McLarry > rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S
02/25/2014 at 15:50

An Alfa would be amazing! A small car is fine for my wife and I, but we'll be traveling with some friends later in the trip and will need to fit 4 people (total) and all our stuff in the car as well if that's the travel method we choose. Thanks for the advice!

Klaus Schmoll > deekster_caddy
02/25/2014 at 15:50

You meant C180 right?

davedave1111 > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:51

Cheap flights can be really cheap, but they won't be once you have to pay for checked baggage. If you have international flight amounts of baggage, the train's usually going to work out cheaper.

McLarry > davedave1111
02/25/2014 at 15:52

This is another option we were leaning towards. Being the 'car guy' of the group I'm more on the side of the car (just for the pleasure of driving in Europe and maybe being able to try out something not available in the 'states). You may be right, though...the numbers are not in favor of my approach :P

McLarry > bob and john
02/25/2014 at 15:53

Thanks! I'll definitely give it a read

505Turbeaux > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:54

I do, with Peugeot leases. What is the duration of your stay, and how far out from now? also, when I say flight, it is only that. Pay to use the bathroom, cramped, but it gets you there for little cash at all

McLarry > deekster_caddy
02/25/2014 at 15:57

Yipes, no insurance in Italy would be a problem...I think we're planning to spend the most time there. I'm already in the process of trying to get my credit cards upgraded to 'no international transaction fees' and such, I'll take a look at rental car insurance as well. Also, I hear ze Germans are quite strict on lane discipline! I'll be very careful :P

rb1971 ARGQF+CayenneTurbo+E9+328GTS+R90S > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:57

I really wanted a 500 since it was just my wife and I and they were just being released in the US. My friends with the Alfa had up to 5 people at certain points (e.g., going to dinner in small towns) and it was fine for that. 4 adults would be somewhat tight but do-able assuming you planned the luggage properly.

deekster_caddy > Klaus Schmoll
02/25/2014 at 15:57

Probably. It was '98/'99. I called it the "Ford Taurus of Germany"... (except it had a stick)

bob and john > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 15:58

perfect. leave a question if you want anything else answered and i'll try to answer it to the best of my abilities

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Klaus Schmoll
02/25/2014 at 15:59

Or C230.

McLarry > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 16:00

Ah, I see. I'm willing to live with a little discomfort for a cheap flight :)

The trip will about 3-weeks in duration, 5/3-5/24ish (I can't remember the exact dates, but those are very close)

davedave1111 > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:04

You'll definitely want to do some driving, partly because it's fun, and partly because a car is the right tool for some trips. But for the longer-distance stuff, it doesn't really make sense.

There are lots of cheap rentals in Europe as long as you're returning them to the same location, so for a few days at a time you can rent and explore an area, then move on by train.

There are also a fair number of these kinds of car clubs which you may well want to register for:

https://de.drive-now.com/en/

Oh, another thing, have a look at the sleeper trains for longer-distance journeys. Apart from being quite a fun way to travel, and a time-saver, they also mean you save a night's hotel cost.

fintail > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:04

I second the Sixt recommendation. I have rented numerous times in Germany, always used Sixt. Sometimes excellent (prepaid) rates, and they have a really good fleet, not the barebones cars one becomes accustomed to in the US. My last rental in Germany was an A8 that was loaded up pretty high - MSRP was over 100K Euro. I've never taken delivery outside of Germany, but I know they are big in France and Spain, too.

505Turbeaux > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:05

too close to the departure date, and the minimum on a lease is 21 days. It gets to be a better deal upwards of the 21 significantly. One detriment is the plates on those cars are a different color as well, so you are pegged as a tourist and can be targeted for theft (remember you will be in Italy). Tell you what, are you on facebook or a fan of the oppo facebook page ? I can keep a dialog with you there and help you, possibly set you up with my old company who is a rental broker (has better prices). If you are on it shoot a message to the oppo page, where I admin and I will find you from there

McLarry > davedave1111
02/25/2014 at 16:07

Sleeper trains sound like an excellent compromise, hadn't thought of that.

McLarry > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 16:10

Just 'liked' the page - do I try to send a message to 'Oppositelock' or just write on the wall?

Jobjoris > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:10

Not sure if you'll find a rental-company easy that'll let you drop-off the car in a different country (Spain) from where it was picked up (Italy). I cannot emphasize this enough: While in Germany just make sure you'll do the Ring. Not sure if you should use a normal rental car but check Rent4Ring for that matter.

505Turbeaux > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:11

I got you DV, you will know by my profile shirt :) and whoever has initials DV, I sent you a request mistakenly, sorry man!

Flavien Vidal > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:11

For this price you are looking at small and slow cars... Your might have to deal with a Fiat 500. Basic slow ones with the 1.2L engine and close to no options...

Last time I rented a "decent" car (with Citer) for 10 days, I paid 600 euros for a BMW 318i.

McLarry > Jobjoris
02/25/2014 at 16:13

Absolutely! I think "Nurburgring" was my #1 answer when my wife asked what I would want to see if we went to Europe.

deekster_caddy > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:21

Ahh Ryanair. Cheap flights? Careful what you wish for:

http://jalopnik.com/passengers-stu…

Jobjoris > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:34

Try to be there on a weekend day (and check nürburgring.de for the dates). It's not only the track that's interesting, you'll probably end up strolling the parking lot at the main gate with one hell of a smile because of all the nice stuff you're seeing, it's absurd.

Kinja'd!!!

McLarry > deekster_caddy
02/25/2014 at 16:36

Yipes....

McLarry > Jobjoris
02/25/2014 at 16:38

Is it something I need to be reserving months in advance or I can I just show up on a given day and buy laps?

Jobjoris > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 16:45

Just show up, no reservation needed. You can buy tickets for a variety of numbers of laps, I usually do 2 and a half laps (the half lap starts at Adenau). Only the 'given days' with touristenfahrten but that's why I gave you the previous link with a calendar.

McLarry > Jobjoris
02/25/2014 at 16:55

Great, thanks for the advice!

Roberto G. > 505Turbeaux
02/25/2014 at 17:04

Please mind that thieves are all over Europe, and most of them are specialized immigrants because almost all our stolen cars end in Eastern Europe. And in Italy we might have some local thieves too, but at least it's most unlikely that your newlywed bride could be killed by a psycho on a car while walking along the beach hands in hands with you, or that you could be shot to death while jogging by two teens that were just annoyed, and had nothing better to do (their words). No Sir, that won't happen in Italy.

stuttgartobsessed > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 17:05

Someday I'll do a driving tour of Europe but until I've saved loads of money to do so, I highly recommend the train. Easy to use, a fun experience (especially as an American with out much day to day Train use), and can get you to most places. Though if you're trying to get to smaller towns or out of the way places it can get expensive. But I'd take the train to major cities and then rent a car to explore around them.

Dunnik > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 17:08

If you get homesick, rent a Lancia Flavia.

Kinja'd!!!

McLarry > Dunnik
02/25/2014 at 17:18

Kinja'd :P

DK Wu > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 18:46

I did a European open jaw trip last year. We ended up doing a "long term" rental, picking the car up in Munich and returning in Barcelona. The service was offered through Renault Eurodrive, and it made sense since I was renting longer than 3 weeks.

The cost was much less than any other rental company I researched (sixt, europcar, and auto europe) and the fee for the open jaw was pretty reasonable (something like 200 euros.) I think in total I paid $1700 to rent for 3 weeks.

It's essentially a buy back program, where they sell you a car, and when you return it, they end up saving money by calling it a "used" car. The benefits for you is that they offer a full insurance program and roadside assistance for the duration of your trip.

Driving in Europe was pretty expensive after you factor in the tolls, fuel, and parking, but some of the places I wanted to visit weren't easily accessible and having a car helped greatly.

It was a fun trip though. To this day I have no idea how I dragged my wife to 3 MotoGP races and 5 car factories.

1337HPMustang > McLarry
02/25/2014 at 22:20

Why rent a car like a pleb when you could buy something old and Italian and just sell it at the end of your trip. If you have the money to go Europe for months you can afford to have a kick ass car for your cross country trip. Id personally buy an alfa (every car guy needs to own one at some point, right?). This gtv6 is what id get
http://www.portaportese.it/rubriche/Veico…

Roberto G. > McLarry
02/26/2014 at 02:31

sweetsweetbeige > 1337HPMustang
02/28/2014 at 01:24

Awesome idea and yes every car nut needs to own an Alfa once in their life, but I'm not sure that time is while you're having a holiday and don't have access to a full set of tools and a workshop and a spare car.