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.

auto europe

whole house cleaning Buffalo Grove ...
In The News:

Americans average 10-plus hours online daily, according to recent survey, splitting time between streaming shows on TV and browsing websites on multiple devices.
Boost your smartphone privacy instantly with these security tweaks for iPhone and Android that limit ad tracking, hide notifications and prevent unauthorized access.
Platforms like Hoax Tech and JS Click Cloaker help cybercriminals bypass detection systems using machine learning to selectively display scam content to victims.
A new battery recycling technique transforms old lithium-ion batteries into high-performance components that retain 88% capacity after 500 cycles with minimal waste.
Google's Android operating system can warn users about earthquakes before the shaking even begins – and there are ways to do it on your iPhone, too.
Meta's new gesture control wristband might just be the most seamless way to control a computer yet. And no, it doesn't require surgery, a camera, or even a touchscreen. All it needs is your wrist.
Long-haul trucks are now being upgraded with a surprising twist, thanks to California-based startup Revoy. Their electric boost doesn't replace diesel but works alongside it to cut emissions and fuel costs without major disruption.
PayPal and Venmo just rolled out something big: AI-powered scam alerts for Friends and Family payments.
As data centers multiply across the United States, energy demand is increasing at a rapid pace. This has not escaped the notice of large investment firms from Wall Street.
The Unicode Consortium, the nonprofit organization that maintains the Unicode Standard to ensure emojis work across devices, has announced Unicode 17.0, which includes nine new emojis slated for release this fall, in September 2025.
OpenAI is one of the world's leading AI research labs. Founded in 2015, it's behind some of today's most talked-about tools, including GPT, DALL·E, and ChatGPT.
Ever catch your dog staring at the screen during movie night and wonder if they're actually watching? Turns out, they might be. A new scientific study from Auburn University found that many dogs really do engage with television, and not all pups react the same way.
Stop the scammers from making contact in the first place. They're getting your parents' contact information and much more personal data besides, from somewhere.
The Walker S2 robot from UBTech autonomously exchanges its batteries in just three minutes, allowing continuous operation in car factories operated by BYD, Nio and Zeekr.
The FX Super One electric MPV from Faraday Future offers flexible seating, zero-gravity recliners and an AI system that creates a personal connection between driver and vehicle.
Practical solutions for reducing unwanted charity mail, political texts and email spam by opting out of shared lists, replying "STOP" and using data removal services.
Delta's new AI pricing system eliminates static airfares for personalized rates based on individual data, raising questions about fairness while promising optimized revenue.
AI data centers are straining the power grid across 13 states, contributing to a $9 billion increase in electricity costs, and PJM customers face monthly bill increases of $25 or more.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the music industry as AI-generated bands like The Velvet Sundown earn substantial streaming revenue, prompting lawsuits from major record labels.
Microsoft phishing scams use fake security alerts and links that redirect to credential-stealing pages with warning signs, including urgent language and unusual senders.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tesla vehicles manufactured since mid-2021 with AMD Ryzen processors can now access Grok 4, xAI's witty conversational assistant designed to make drives more engaging.
Understand how technology affects mental health through five concepts, including blue light exposure, screen time management and algorithmic bias.
Electric vehicle maker Lucid adds hands-free driving through an over-the-air update for Air sedan owners with the DreamDrive Pro package and Gravity SUV support coming later.
Protect your home network from hidden dangers, including router vulnerabilities, ISP tracking and smart device weaknesses with proper encryption, firmware updates and VPN technology.

All Inclusive Resorts - Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana

Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north... Read More

Caribbean Pearl Secret, Margarita Island is Not So Much a Secret Anymore

Margarita Island is one of the lesser known Caribbean islands.... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel: Tip #3 Insurance

Car rental insurance has to be one of the most... Read More

Review of Car Rental Abroad

Are you thinking of travelling Abroad?You will surely want to... Read More

The Maldives - A Destination Everyone Should Visit

Following the horrendous events on Boxing Day 2005 The Maldives... Read More

Ormond Beach, FL: A Small Piece of Paradise

Within Volusia County, Florida, the small community of Ormond Beach... Read More

Villa Rentals on South Carolinas Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a vacation destination for over two... Read More

Ditch The Hotel For A Villa Or Vacation Home

Two visits to Budapest. Two apartments, walking distance from downtown.... Read More

Alternatives for Business Travelers

"I'm coming home. I've been away too long. Been away... Read More

The Cape Town Wine Route Wonders

Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More

Finding The Best Timeshare For You ? Make The Search An Adventure!

Taking the plunge from average vacationer to vacation property owner... Read More

Rent a Town Home in Orlando, Florida for LESS than Hotel

When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why... Read More

Vacation Villas in Orlando Florida - What are They?

What is a villa? Come to Orlando, Florida to find... Read More

Scottish Roadtrips -- Encountering Porridge with Salt and Other Dangers

Edinburgh and beyondRoadtrips around BritainIt's hard to overstate the poetry... Read More

Customized Services is What makes a Vacation Rental the Best

The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More

Top Ten Reasons To Pick A Vacation Rental

We are planning a family trip for just a few... Read More

A Guide to Punta Cana Beaches

Punta Cana Beaches are among the most beautiful in the... Read More

Coastal Vacations Club Offers Up to 85% off Week Long Condo Stays

When vacation time rolls around, some people choose to stay... Read More

Gatlinburgs Real Estate Market

Real estate in Gatlinburg is thriving. While the 2000 census... Read More

Branson Condos Rental Advice for the Perfect Vacation in Missouri

If you are thinking about renting a condo in the... Read More

Advantages of Bahamas Packages

For many people, the Bahamas is a dream vacation site,... Read More

Costa Rica has been Called the Hawaii of Central America

Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You're choosing... Read More

A Fabulous Guide to Floridas Best Rentals: Condos for Rent, Rental Houses, and Rental Condos

A Fabulous Guide to Florida's Best Rentals: Condos for rent,... Read More

Earning Rental Income from a Gatlinburg Cabin

Gatlinburg has a small but thriving community of property owners.... Read More

Dare to Dream: The Vacation of a Lifetime In A Timeshare

What are your chances of getting the vacation of a... Read More

express cleaning service Northbrook ...