Car rental costs killing vacation plan

[Anonymous]

I know people who go to Florida for long periods that find it cheaper to lease a car from a car sales place than to pay rental prices. You’d need to work out stuff like insurance and title but it might be cheaper. Heck, it might even be cheaper to buy a used car and resell it after 6 weeks—there’s a pretty strong market for used cars right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you checked prices with Autoeurope? That’s who I always use. They offer leasing information, too.

Having said that, I agree with those who suggest renting a car for less time rather than canceling your trip!

Yeah, just tried that, and prices are over $3500 for 4 weeks for the tiniest car size. Thank you for the lead, though!

Even before Covid that would have been the cost in Ireland. Summer of 2019 we paid 3k for 3 weeks for a dinky Opel. If you go over 30 days you trigger the higher price. So you can either do the trains and buses-- which literally take you everywhere or rent for 28 days then do another rental. We do that most summers. We generally are on the west coast then we take a day drive back to Dublin airport, drop the car and take the city bus to Dublin, spend a night or two and pick up another car. We usually get a car at Avis in Dublin which can be cheaper than the airport. There may be a fee if you don't drop off at the same location. It also means you need to drive at least out of Dublin. I don't find it bothersome but my DH can't handle it at all. Also remember you can pay for going to Northern Ireland when you return the car. Don't bother paying upfront if plans may change. Trying to get prepaid $ back can be a pain.

We were in Ireland for 4 weeks 28 days each) in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Never paid more than $1000 for a car for the whole time. For an intermediate sized car; not an SUV, not a micro car. I’m not sure where you were renting from but that was NOT typical pre-COVID!

[Anonymous]

Come on. Comparing anything to before Covid is ridiculous. We all traveled for cheap. This summer may be the most expensive summer ever to travel. If you can hold off, esp if you don't have the money, I would. It is ridiculous right now.

[Anonymous]

There’s a facebook group called “women who travel”. Might be worth joining and posting a question there; lots of people are facing this and sharing their experiences in detail.

[Anonymous]

Maybe pick up a side gig for the next few weeks to pay for the car rental? Door dash or something. But I honestly I feel like if you don’t have a couple thousand to spare, you really can’t afford 6 weeks abroad. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you checked prices with Autoeurope? That’s who I always use. They offer leasing information, too.

Having said that, I agree with those who suggest renting a car for less time rather than canceling your trip!

Yeah, just tried that, and prices are over $3500 for 4 weeks for the tiniest car size. Thank you for the lead, though!

Even before Covid that would have been the cost in Ireland. Summer of 2019 we paid 3k for 3 weeks for a dinky Opel. If you go over 30 days you trigger the higher price. So you can either do the trains and buses-- which literally take you everywhere or rent for 28 days then do another rental. We do that most summers. We generally are on the west coast then we take a day drive back to Dublin airport, drop the car and take the city bus to Dublin, spend a night or two and pick up another car. We usually get a car at Avis in Dublin which can be cheaper than the airport. There may be a fee if you don't drop off at the same location. It also means you need to drive at least out of Dublin. I don't find it bothersome but my DH can't handle it at all. Also remember you can pay for going to Northern Ireland when you return the car. Don't bother paying upfront if plans may change. Trying to get prepaid $ back can be a pain.

We were in Ireland for 4 weeks 28 days each) in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Never paid more than $1000 for a car for the whole time. For an intermediate sized car; not an SUV, not a micro car. I’m not sure where you were renting from but that was NOT typical pre-COVID!

I know you think that but CDW alone pre-covid would have cost you $500-600 alone for 28 days. That is the problem with Irish car rentals, you have do get the CDW. Most Americans get an automatic with SCDW which is really, really expensive and always has been.

Stick to stick and just CDW if you trust your driving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe pick up a side gig for the next few weeks to pay for the car rental? Door dash or something. But I honestly I feel like if you don’t have a couple thousand to spare, you really can’t afford 6 weeks abroad. Sorry.

What a jerk! So only rich people can travel now?

[Anonymous]

This summer, yes. We make great $ but aren't rich. And vacation this summer is blowing our budget. Gas, food, car rental and housing are all way more than we planned on when we booked in November.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why people are such jerks. I just got back from (mainland) Europe and our car rental cost $400 total for the whole time including everything.

I would agree with others: try to do as much of the trip as possible without a car. I hate Irish busses with a deep passion but they do exist and they do go everywhere.

Oh! Another thing. While I was in Dublin last year my Airbnb host recommended the Irish version of car to go. Something like GoCar. Insurance is included.
It would allow you to use a car for short trips.

[Anonymous]

OP are you having any better luck?

[Anonymous]

OP, do you or your spouse have an employee perks program through work? Mine lets me book rental cars at the negotiated company rate. Hawaii rates were $600/week, but the company price was $275. I didn’t check Europe, but I assume it would work there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe pick up a side gig for the next few weeks to pay for the car rental? Door dash or something. But I honestly I feel like if you don’t have a couple thousand to spare, you really can’t afford 6 weeks abroad. Sorry.

What a jerk! So only rich people can travel now?

For SIX WEEKS ABROAD? Yes!

[Anonymous]

look at this train map in ireland:
https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/travel-information/station-and-route-maps/ireland-rail-map

i had no problem with trains and then taking buses where the train did not go. and day tour vans beyond that

the last thing i wanted to do in Ireland is drive with the narrow roads with ditches and stone walls on either side, and wanted to be able to drink Guinness in the day. Google what happened to Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Gray, not an isolated story, sadly

[Anonymous]

there is a reason it is almost impossible to get car insurance in ireland. so not worth it

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/jennifer-grey-matthew-broderick-crash-ireland

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you checked prices with Autoeurope? That’s who I always use. They offer leasing information, too.

Having said that, I agree with those who suggest renting a car for less time rather than canceling your trip!

Yeah, just tried that, and prices are over $3500 for 4 weeks for the tiniest car size. Thank you for the lead, though!

Even before Covid that would have been the cost in Ireland. Summer of 2019 we paid 3k for 3 weeks for a dinky Opel. If you go over 30 days you trigger the higher price. So you can either do the trains and buses-- which literally take you everywhere or rent for 28 days then do another rental. We do that most summers. We generally are on the west coast then we take a day drive back to Dublin airport, drop the car and take the city bus to Dublin, spend a night or two and pick up another car. We usually get a car at Avis in Dublin which can be cheaper than the airport. There may be a fee if you don't drop off at the same location. It also means you need to drive at least out of Dublin. I don't find it bothersome but my DH can't handle it at all. Also remember you can pay for going to Northern Ireland when you return the car. Don't bother paying upfront if plans may change. Trying to get prepaid $ back can be a pain.

We were in Ireland for 4 weeks 28 days each) in 2014, 2016, and 2018. Never paid more than $1000 for a car for the whole time. For an intermediate sized car; not an SUV, not a micro car. I’m not sure where you were renting from but that was NOT typical pre-COVID!

I know you think that but CDW alone pre-covid would have cost you $500-600 alone for 28 days. That is the problem with Irish car rentals, you have do get the CDW. Most Americans get an automatic with SCDW which is really, really expensive and always has been.

Stick to stick and just CDW if you trust your driving.

Yeah the coverage cost is killer, huge benefit of having one of the few cards which cover Ireland, like the Chase Sapphire cards.