gregory
Great things are afoot
It is a very likely that I will go to Norway this summer, and need to rent a car while I am there. Has anyony done this? Any problems with insurance, licences ect?
TIA
Greg
TIA
Greg
Anybody ever rent a car in europe?
- Thread starter gregory
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phroenips
Pronounced "Free-nips"...it's just a
I rented a car in England a couple months ago when I was there on business. No issues with my license (although, some countries like to see an International Driver's Permit). Insurance coverage was via my corporate card. Most consumer cards also have this coverage included at no additional charge (you have to be sure to decline the rental company's coverage though).
EDIT: oh, and most of the cars in Europe are standard transmission. Automatics generally cost extra in case you need/prefer it.
EDIT: oh, and most of the cars in Europe are standard transmission. Automatics generally cost extra in case you need/prefer it.
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Dr. Rich
Arrested Development
Several of the major car rental companies have outlets overseas...i.e. Hertz, Avis etc. I have also used Auto Europe and Kemwel. Both are reputable... It is important to shop around as each company has stronger ties and resources in different countries. If you are planning to travel behind what was the iron curtain, you can expect that they will not rent you certain types of vehicles and the rates are much higher. Auto theft in Poland, the Czech Republic and Russia are problematic. When renting you can get an all inclusive policy that covers all damage and calamities. As stated before most cars are stick and do not come with air conditioning. I have not rented in Scandinavia but the only country I have had difficulty with is France. The easiest rental was to fly into Amsterdam and rent a car there. That would put you pretty close to Norway. Rich
Fairlaner
The Bartender Whisperer
Rich you need to look at the map again, it is a long way from Amsterdam to Norway............
Google maps says 1300k's (800 miles) with a ferry ride in between, thats between Amsterdam and Oslo.
R
Google maps says 1300k's (800 miles) with a ferry ride in between, thats between Amsterdam and Oslo.
R
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dragonchef
Well-known member
Europe has some great roads...driving is easy, but the tolls are steep.
Went to the MotoGP in Barcelona last year & drove to the track about 60KM from the city. Then drove across Spain and back, north to south.
GPS is a must, and makes all the difference...
Had great service with these guys....they are a consolidater, but easier than searching individual agencies;
Argus Car Rental
Went to the MotoGP in Barcelona last year & drove to the track about 60KM from the city. Then drove across Spain and back, north to south.
GPS is a must, and makes all the difference...
Had great service with these guys....they are a consolidater, but easier than searching individual agencies;
Argus Car Rental
yamafitter
Reigning NERDS Granite Lane Gold Medalist
It was many years ago but my experience was that it was cheaper to make arrangements from this side of the pond than to just show up at the airport. The rental rates in Milan at the time were rediculous.
El Toro Joe
FYYFF
last time I was in europe we got a great deal on this little number...
Checkswrecks
Well-known member
Sure, do it regularly. Most of the highlights have been covered, so will try to hit a few not mentioned.
Euro countries generally don't need the Int'l license (from AAA) - any more that's just the old "east block" countries and some in Asia.
Since most of the Euro brands are affiliates of US companies, your favorite brand of points can apply or get credited.
Ask your own insurance agent what coverage will apply and fill in from there if this is on your dime. If on business, get guidance from work. Either way, car repairs over there are horrendously expensive and you NEED coverage from many aspects.
Reserve a car from the US, but don't be afraid to look once there, ditch the rental, and do something else.
Since gas is probably $8-$9 per US gallon and public transport is so good, try to use rail/bus/etc as much as possible, especially if this is on your dime and not required for business.
Euro countries generally don't need the Int'l license (from AAA) - any more that's just the old "east block" countries and some in Asia.
Since most of the Euro brands are affiliates of US companies, your favorite brand of points can apply or get credited.
Ask your own insurance agent what coverage will apply and fill in from there if this is on your dime. If on business, get guidance from work. Either way, car repairs over there are horrendously expensive and you NEED coverage from many aspects.
Reserve a car from the US, but don't be afraid to look once there, ditch the rental, and do something else.
Since gas is probably $8-$9 per US gallon and public transport is so good, try to use rail/bus/etc as much as possible, especially if this is on your dime and not required for business.
BwanaDik
Well-known member
Yes, all good advice here. And do book from over here before you leave, the rates can be way higher, as said before, if you just show up.
Business or pleasure? I traveled around for almost three years in Europe and rarely rented a car. Public transportation is excellent. Most of the tube/train lines are colour ( :lol: ) coded with the name of the last stop as the name and direction of the train you want so you really don't have to speak the language.
Watch out for roundabouts if you've never done them before. I love them but some folks have difficulty with them. Also watch for the "right hand right of way" rule in some areas. The car coming from the right has the right of way and will zip in front of you.
Business or pleasure? I traveled around for almost three years in Europe and rarely rented a car. Public transportation is excellent. Most of the tube/train lines are colour ( :lol: ) coded with the name of the last stop as the name and direction of the train you want so you really don't have to speak the language.
Watch out for roundabouts if you've never done them before. I love them but some folks have difficulty with them. Also watch for the "right hand right of way" rule in some areas. The car coming from the right has the right of way and will zip in front of you.
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
So gregory, who are you going to listen to: A Doctor or a fecking Englishman? https://www.dfdsseaways.co.uk/ferry_crossings/copenhagen_oslo No two cities are cooler than Amsterdam and Copenhagen! I also have used Hertz and Avis in Europe with great success, I also recommend booking your car before you leave California. Norway is on my bucket list!
Scenic Amsterdam also has some really nice little cafes! You can usually smell them from about a block away!
Also, be careful in Copenhagen! City is loaded with fecking crazy Danes! Like drunken Irish with an attitude!
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Donal
Well-known member
Tried to insert a Power Point Slide Show of a really nice ride on the west coast (of Norway). Tried to upload the Power Point to a hosting site but it wouldn't accept it! If anyone can give me some (simple) directions I would appreciate it. You won't be disappointed!
Thanks
Don
Thanks
Don
scubatech
Well-known member
Greg,
I just called one of the major reantals at the Munich Airport,took the train there and pick up the car. I got lost a lot trying to understand the German language on the signs. We had a great time though!
gregory
Great things are afoot
Thanks!
Great advice all. Sorry, should have put my basic route out there. This is for my daughter and I as a European vacation. I am planning on driving from Norway down to Germany over to Paris and back. Or something like that. I know that public trans is great, but don't know that I can get to all the areas that I want with it. I might do a car rental as needed though. Current auto ins is AAA and they state America only for coverage. So I will need to look into that.
Don, as a humble federal employee, I frown upon such "Cafe's", at least until I am retired! :lol:
Great advice all. Sorry, should have put my basic route out there. This is for my daughter and I as a European vacation. I am planning on driving from Norway down to Germany over to Paris and back. Or something like that. I know that public trans is great, but don't know that I can get to all the areas that I want with it. I might do a car rental as needed though. Current auto ins is AAA and they state America only for coverage. So I will need to look into that.
Don, as a humble federal employee, I frown upon such "Cafe's", at least until I am retired! :lol:
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
Whoa Greg, now that I have seen what you plan to do: Use a rental car only as a last necessity and rely primarily on the excellent public transportation! Trust me, I lived in Europe for two years and the public transport 40 years ago was great; in 2011 it is fantastic.
I will be throwing some travel links out here for you. Also, I have public transport guides for most major European cities; I will loan them to you for this trip. You absolutely do not want to rent a car in Berlin or Paris, you won't find anyplace cheap to park it at night!
I will be throwing some travel links out here for you. Also, I have public transport guides for most major European cities; I will loan them to you for this trip. You absolutely do not want to rent a car in Berlin or Paris, you won't find anyplace cheap to park it at night!
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beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://fahrplan.oebb.at/bin/query.exe/en?ld=web03&seqnr=1&ident=dm.026603168.1301322762&GO_conViewMode=outward&HWAI=JS!ajax=yes!&HWAI=CONNECTION$C0-1!id=C0-1!HwaiConId=C0-1!HwaiDetailStatus=details!HwaiMoreDetailStatus=none!HwaiAdditionalInformation=none!HwaiConnectionNumber=2!;~CONNECTION$C0-1!HwaiMapStatus=UNDEFINED!HwaiMapNumber=UNDEFINED!HwaiMapSlider=UNDEFINED!;
Whenever I prebook my rail travel in Europe I use Austrian Railways - OBB to buy my tickets. gregory, do you know the definition of a Perfect German? A Perfect German is an Austrian. This outfit never screws up, if they do, they quickly bury the bodies.
If you have no interest in taking the overnight ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen, then I suggest a quick flight to Berlin from Oslo. Berlin is a gorgeous city and no one can drink like Berliners, except for Dubliners! An easy 8 hour train ride to Paris from Berlin.
Whenever I prebook my rail travel in Europe I use Austrian Railways - OBB to buy my tickets. gregory, do you know the definition of a Perfect German? A Perfect German is an Austrian. This outfit never screws up, if they do, they quickly bury the bodies.
If you have no interest in taking the overnight ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen, then I suggest a quick flight to Berlin from Oslo. Berlin is a gorgeous city and no one can drink like Berliners, except for Dubliners! An easy 8 hour train ride to Paris from Berlin.
gregory
Great things are afoot
beemerdons
Certifiable Old Fart
https://www.michaelbrein.com/guides/ The European City Travel Guides I own are all from Michael Brein and they are super informative. Let me know what cities that you think you may visit and I will loan you the guides this summer. Since you are computer literate, unlike your Luddite Neanderthal Curmudgeon Papa Chuy, his guides can be purchased and used in electronic formats. All of the information can be put on an IPad; whatever in the hell an IPad is. Beats the hell out of your Old Papa Chuy!
https://michaelbrein.com/extras/Paris2008-extras.pdf Here's a nice example of how M. Brein's Travel Guides are laid out. This happens to be the Supplement to the Main Paris Travel Guide. Very detailed info.
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DennisJ
Well-known member
Use the Auto Insurance available through American Express if you have one of their cards. Was hit in a roundabout outside of Birmingham last summer and AmEx handled the whole process seamlessly. Filed a report with Hertz, notified AmEx and forwarded a copy of the report once I was home. AmeEx handled the whole thing, kept me updated and advised me when the process was over. Cost was very low and enrolling took only a few minutes on their website. Reserve the car before leaving, rates in England were much higher if booked on arrival.
Dr. Rich
Arrested Development
One thing to look into is an airline multi-city ticket. (like a U-Rail Pass for the airline) We took the family to Europe several years ago and used a British Air Pass. This allowed us to fly into London from San Francisco. Then we were able to fly to Moscow and then back to London. From there we flew to Frankfurt and then picked up a car and did a huge loop around the continent. ( we took the car into Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and most of the other central European countries. We dropped off the car in Paris and flew home... The savings on the British Air Pass was substantial.
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