Who can hire me a car to drive from the UK to the Netherlands?
October 19, 2009 3:10 AM Subscribe
I need to hire a car to drive from Bristol, UK and to drop off in Haarlem Netherlands. Avis says no, europecar says no, hertz are difficult to get hold of. Suggestions? Recommendations?
I know that both Avis & Hertz will do international one-way rentals within Europe, but will probably charge you a substantial additional fee for the service. You will also probably need to check with the Bristol offices of each company: most rental desks are franchises, and it can be up to the franchise management as to whether they'll offer the service or not.
My wife and I rented with Hertz for a trip from Sweden to the UK this summer: while their initial quote was higher than Avis's, we eventually found that our local Avis desk didn't offer the international drop-off service anyway. By the way, we had a breakdown during our trip, and suffered some terrible customer service from Hertz... so I'd be reluctant to recommend any of the companies!
posted by misteraitch at 4:05 AM on October 19, 2009
My wife and I rented with Hertz for a trip from Sweden to the UK this summer: while their initial quote was higher than Avis's, we eventually found that our local Avis desk didn't offer the international drop-off service anyway. By the way, we had a breakdown during our trip, and suffered some terrible customer service from Hertz... so I'd be reluctant to recommend any of the companies!
posted by misteraitch at 4:05 AM on October 19, 2009
How come you can't rent a car in Europe, after having rented one in Bristol? It's not that draining to swap cars.
posted by titanium_geek at 4:27 AM on October 19, 2009
posted by titanium_geek at 4:27 AM on October 19, 2009
Best answer: Rent car in Bristol. Drive to Asford. Take Eurostar to Brussels. Rent car in Brussels. Drive to Haarlem?
posted by Neiltupper at 6:06 AM on October 19, 2009
posted by Neiltupper at 6:06 AM on October 19, 2009
If you are planning on carrying mostly stuff then have a look at the comparative cost of getting it shipped by a courier from one end to the other. For example Paysend quote about £25 to ship 20Kg from the UK to the Netherlands using a 2 day service.
If you are taking lots of people and their luggage then look at the option of hiring a car in the UK for that portion of the trip - crossing the channel as foot passengers only - and then picking up another car for the other side. The extra cost of shipping your hire car by ferry or tunnel is something you could possibly avoid.
posted by rongorongo at 6:41 AM on October 19, 2009
If you are taking lots of people and their luggage then look at the option of hiring a car in the UK for that portion of the trip - crossing the channel as foot passengers only - and then picking up another car for the other side. The extra cost of shipping your hire car by ferry or tunnel is something you could possibly avoid.
posted by rongorongo at 6:41 AM on October 19, 2009
National will do this, too. But as mentioned, the costs are extravagant. If there's another way to do the trip (ship stuff, get plane/train), I'd do that.
posted by fightorflight at 8:32 AM on October 19, 2009
posted by fightorflight at 8:32 AM on October 19, 2009
Response by poster: we're transporting dog and baby. dog has passport but if he gets held up we might have to go back to the port and collect him. rather that was hook of holland not calais.
posted by gonzo_ID at 10:35 AM on October 19, 2009
posted by gonzo_ID at 10:35 AM on October 19, 2009
I don't mean to pry into your plans, but don't the dog and baby also have to come back from the Netherlands? You can get a rental agreement that allows you to take the car into continental Europe and back far easier and for much less cash than trying to dump a car (which will be UK-registered and have the wheel on the wrong side, among other undesirables) on them in Holland, which might be easier even if the trip is one-way (though obviously you'd have to return).
What about flying? EasyJet and the like will take dogs, in the hold.
posted by fightorflight at 10:59 AM on October 19, 2009
What about flying? EasyJet and the like will take dogs, in the hold.
posted by fightorflight at 10:59 AM on October 19, 2009
Response by poster: probably forgot an important piece of information: not coming back.
posted by gonzo_ID at 2:13 AM on October 20, 2009
posted by gonzo_ID at 2:13 AM on October 20, 2009
Best answer: Fly. If you’re overweight, freight your excess.
Alternatively, for the cost of what Hertz are going to charge you, it will be possible to buy a decent used car and flog it for a song when you get there. Pan-European breakdown cover will give you baby peace of mind and in the event that it does breakdown, you’ll still get to your destination. £250 - £300 all in for this option less whatever you can sell the car for in Holland.
posted by dmt at 4:46 AM on October 20, 2009
Alternatively, for the cost of what Hertz are going to charge you, it will be possible to buy a decent used car and flog it for a song when you get there. Pan-European breakdown cover will give you baby peace of mind and in the event that it does breakdown, you’ll still get to your destination. £250 - £300 all in for this option less whatever you can sell the car for in Holland.
posted by dmt at 4:46 AM on October 20, 2009
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In fact, it might be cheaper to pay for someone to come with you & drive a hire car back to Bristol.
posted by i_cola at 3:59 AM on October 19, 2009