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Vacation Rentals Information |
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European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #6: Location Location Location
For most of us, the basis of a car rental in Europe is the journey, not the destination. We spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars so that we can see everything that we want in the minimum amount of time available. This is what a rental car is perfect for, what it is made for, and what you should use it for. Although I am not against taking a train from one place to another (especially after a long drive) I am constantly finding myself looking out the window wondering "Hey what's over there?" Of course, the destination is a factor when choosing our itinerary. Equally important is the starting point. Not only can the beginning and end of your car rental save you money, but chosen poorly, it can be the beginning and end of your vacation as well. First and foremost, if at all possible, try and pick up your rental car in town. In some countries, this can be the difference between fifty to five hundred dollars or more. In some places, it's just not worth it as the airport can be 20 kilometers or more from downtown with little to no public transportation. In other places, such as Rome's Fiumicino (or Leonardo da Vinci) airport, there is a train between the airport and main station in town. And in some places the airport is practically in town. The common places where you will find a flat fee for airport pick ups are France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and the United Kingdom. In Germany, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria it is usually a percentage, anywhere from 10% to 17%. In Holland, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe it can go either way. Please be advised that this is for the major car rental suppliers and does not cover every one. Always make sure to ask if the airport surcharge is included and if it is a percentage or a flat fee, and if it is waived if you pick up in town. Also, it is good to note that if you pick up in town to avoid a fee, you can usually still drop off at an airport without having to pay the surcharge. Picking up downtown won't always save you from a fee, though it usually reduces it if anything. Railstations sometimes have a surcharge (Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium) and if you pick up at a "Premium Location" such as Russel Square in London or Haddington Way in Dublin, you will have to pay a fee as well. Also, some port offices require payment too, either as stand-alone or for a "meet and greet" situation, where the office is outside walking distance so the agents wait for you at the pier. Once again, make sure you ask if there is a fee if you are picking up at a station of any kind. Aside from saving money, convenience is always a sticking point when deciding where to pick up your rental car. If you are hesitant to drive in a big city, but you want to save money, then you have a couple of options. For one, you can always pick up outside of a busy area but still "downtown" but this alternative comes with the price of having to get there, which is okay if you already have your hotel nearby. You can also find a rental location that is near a highway on-ramp, which is particularly good if you need the rental car not for the city you'll be in, but for the one you need to get to. A mapping program using the internet is of course invaluable in this search. Get the addresses for your hotel and available pick up locations, and choose the one that is most convenient for you. Finally, it is important to know what locations are available along the way to your destination. If you need to add an additional driver in the middle of your trip, or you need to swap out your car for any reason, then knowing where you can choose from will help optimize your time and money. There's no point in going back if you can do the same moving forward right? It's a good idea to have the phone numbers to the locations you'll be dealing with, as well as a headquarters number for additional inquiries. Try to use a service that has 24 hour support. The locations may not always be open, but at least you can get through to someone who can let you know your options. Oh, and try not to involve yourself with a rental location that is part of a gas-station, restaurant, barber shop or any other strip mall business that is not car rental. Although many of the major suppliers have locations like this with their name on them, they are licensee, independently owned subsidiaries and you will find the shadiest clerks and the worst service here. This is really just common sense though. In conclusion, we all know that getting there is half the fun. But the other 50% depends on the start and finish. If you know where that is before you try to move on, you'll get there just fine. Murdoch Morris has spent 3+ years digging through address books to find every client's best location options. If you have any questions regarding your specific area of travel, please feel free to contact him.
MORE RESOURCES: Private property rights group files lawsuit against Chattanooga over short-term vacation rental regulations Chattanooga Times Free Press Boulder County Planning Commission hears from public on short-term/vacation rental changes Boulder Daily Camera Updated rules for Airbnb-style rentals head to City Council RichmondBizSense Are short-term rentals legal in Phoenix? What you need to know about Airbnbs and more The Arizona Republic Changes coming to short-term rental rules in Phoenix FOX 10 News Phoenix Phoenix cracks down on short-term rentals with new ordinance ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix 13 Houseboats You Can Rent On Vrbo TravelAwaits The Number One Reason Some Cancun Tourists Are Choosing Airbnbs Over Resorts Right Now The Cancun Sun Chattanooga will hear vacation rental violations under stricter ... Chattanooga Times Free Press 11 Lovely Lighthouse Vacation Rentals TravelAwaits Vacation Rentals Pagosa Springs Sun Boulder County Planning Commission hears from public on short-term/vacation rental changes Yahoo News Florida’s Short-Term Rental Squeeze Skift Travel News Gettysburg planners recommend against vacation rental | Local ... Gettysburg Times Phoenix vacation rental law is tougher but still toothless The Arizona Republic Chattanooga City Council to consider rezoning request for vacation ... Chattanooga Times Free Press Hotels Are Actually Cheaper Than Vacation Rentals on Airbnb and Vrbo, According to a New Report Yahoo Life The vacation rentals allow travelers to meet their expectations with ... TravelDailyNews International Proposed Amendments Related to Short-Term Dwelling and ... Boulder County (.gov) Vacation Rentals closing HSV office effective Nov. 1 Hot Springs Village Voice Can I Still Book an Airbnb in New York City? AFAR Media Better Business Bureau warns of vacation rental scams Spectrum News 6 Scenic Vacation Rentals for Fall - TOMORROW'S WORLD TODAY® Tomorrow's World Today How rural Airbnbs stay booked Marketplace Low demand results in more available vacation rentals Hawaii Tribune-Herald What are the best and worst cities to own an Airbnb? Deseret News Why this Gorge vacation spot can't staff its restaurants anymore The Seattle Times Residents look at ways to approach short term rentals The Catalina Inslader Buying a second home first could be the answer The Washington Post What to do if your vacation rental host doesn't show up Mooresville Tribune City closes door on short-term rental ordinance Half Moon Bay Review Surprise Colorado city dubbed best spot to own 'vacation rental' The Denver Gazette Letters to the Editor: published Sept. 22, 2023 The Catalina Inslader SkyRun CEO Brings Experience to Emerging Property Management ... Franchise Times Office of the Governor – News Release – Gov. Green Announces ... David Y. Ige | Newsroom How To Transform Your Vacation Rental Property Into a Home Away ... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel This Is the Best Way to Measure Travel Performance Skift Travel News Lakeshore neighborhood group lobbies to reverse short-term rental ... Crain's Grand Rapids Business Mount Pleasant of Edinboro to Host Open House for Renovated ... erienewsnow.com July 2023 visitor count sets a record The Catalina Inslader California’s Hotel and Short-Term Rental Junk Fee Crack Down Skift Travel News Airbnb host questions Fox Point rental rules and how they're enforced Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Bar Harbor considers banning new hotels Bangor Daily News Jarnecke: VSBM will be innovative in bringing visitors to our region South Bend Tribune VRBO, Airbnb, NYC short-term rental rules could make finding a place to stay in New York City harder WABC-TV Tips For Finding Short-Term Living Options Overseas Travel Noire Expedia Group’ EG Labs Will Let You Test New AI Products Skift Travel News Boulder County Planning Commission Agenda for Sept. 20, 2023 Boulder County (.gov) UH Economists Give 'Initial Take' On Maui's Long Road To Recovery Honolulu Civil Beat Kansas City will remove unregistered Airbnb rentals Friday Kansas City Star Vrbo Will Penalize Hosts Who Cancel Bookings Skift Travel News A children's librarian on why book bans are wrongheaded Los Angeles Times Something’s Gone Wrong With Airbnb The Atlantic Chip and Joanna Gaines' Gorgeous Magnolia House is For Sale Wide Open Country Changes to airline reward programs are making it tougher to collect ... Anchorage Daily News 7 Things About Your House That Could Give Buyers ‘The Ick’ Realtor.com News I-Berhad and Wyndham launch first Wyndham Suites KLCC Hospitality Net Vacation rentals: Explosive growth brings jobs, money, but some say ... Smoky Mountain News Santa Barbara Vows to Take On Illegal Vacation Rentals Santa Barbara Independent Why vacation rentals are the next big designer side hustle Business of Home Time to Book a Trip: Vacation Rental Prices Are Dropping Kiplinger's Personal Finance Hotel-Quality Vacation Rentals, Without the Hotel - WSJ The Wall Street Journal 100+ Best Summer Vacation Rentals to Book Now Condé Nast Traveler 26 Common Vacation Rental Challenges & Solutions Redfin Blog Vineyard Vacation Rental Market Comes Down From Pandemic Peak The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Vacation Rentals Are In The Hawaii Legislature's Crosshairs Honolulu Civil Beat Board of Supervisors votes to change vacation rental regulations ... County of Sonoma |
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