I just read S. Ryan Edgar’s article “Pulling Out All the Stops on a Self-Drive Tour of Europe” (Jan. ’11, pg. 35) and would like to add some comments on driving that his article didn’t include. I rented a car and drove from Paris to San Marino to Andorra and back to Paris over five days, Nov. 13-18, 2010.
(Part six of a series)
I agree with the travelers who take digital pictures of their rental cars upon picking them up (Sept. ’10, pg. 40). I do so, myself, and although I have returned cars with a scratch or two it has never been an issue.
I have found that rental cars tend to be inspected more thoroughly at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports than they are at the less-well-known airports (e.g., Bristol), where the return inspections have been cursory or nonexistent. I do get a “prerental” damage description from the rental agent.
There are two things travelers planning to drive in Switzerland need to be warned about.
by S. Ryan Edgar, Hannawa Falls, NY
I grew up in a small town, and the closest I had come to adventure was living vicariously through friends. But my college graduation trip to Europe was going to change that!
Dear Globetrotter:
Welcome to the 419th issue of your monthly overseas travel magazine, the original travelers’ forum.
by Barbara Glavish; Incline Village, NV
Carolyn McFarlane of Falls Church, Virginia, wrote about renting a car in Iceland with her husband and, upon returning the vehicle, being charged what she felt was an excessive amount for a small scratch on a bumper, one which they were not aware of causing (April ’10, pg. 29). Since this scenario comes up often, ITN asked readers for tips on renting a car — what to look for in the contract, what questions to ask, what to do before driving away and upon return, etc. Here are responses.
by Joyce Bruck, Ocean Ridge, FL
My husband, Randall, and I enjoyed a two-week visit to Iceland in late June ’09. The first eight days we traveled around the country with a birding tour company, then we picked up a rental car from Hertz Iceland at Keflavik Airport for six days of touring on our own.