Hot tips for UK car hire

[yngflyer]

Hi
anyone have any good tips for UK car hire ex LHR ?
Leaning towards Europcar atm
after a comfortable car for 3 adults for country driving with a GPS
Thanks everyone

 

[Tassey69]

Last trip to UK I used Budget/Avis, they have an office in terminal 5 which was very handy, staff very good with directions etc etc however not all rentals have GPS but was lucky enough to get an Audi upgrade with GPS

 

[Hvr]

Can often be cheaper to purchase your own GPS rather than hiring one. I was quoted £100 for a week's hire of a GPS compared to purchasing one from Argos for £50.

 

[RooFlyer]

Can often be cheaper to purchase your own GPS rather than hiring one. I was quoted £100 for a week's hire of a GPS compared to purchasing one from Argos for £50.

Agree with this. Or use a phone application. Search on ' Sygic' to find the AFF thread on GPS, including Sygic which you download onto your phone pre trip and doesn't need a data connection when driving.

Also diesel vs petrol. Last time I hired, a few years ago, diesel was a much cheaper option. Do some research and you could save a lot, regardless of company involved.

 

[DaveB]

Had two bookings last August and September using Argus / Keddy's / Europcar. No problems with Europcar terminal very efficient and no issue with having booked via an agent. Both bookings were SDAR class with both cars having GPS installed and accessible without having nominated to pay extra.

One hire paid an extra 40 pounds for one way car hire to London City with only benefit being easier to access the terminal (what there is) for our BA MAD flight.

 

[VPS]

friends used Europcar last year - first time travellers - got to Heathrow and Europcar said we don't have any of the cars you ordered so you need to pay several hundred pounds more for the upgraded model or there is nothing for you - they were so distraught they said yes - always have had problems with europcar in Europe - fine if you're prepared though

Agree with others - the hire car GPS are very expensive - you could probably by Sygic for the cost or at least buy a cheap GPS on line before you go or when you get there

 

[ausfox]

I had nasty times with Europcar from London pickup/drop off. They wanted to Bill me for damage which was accepted as pre-existing when I returned the car.

 

[Jacques Vert]

GPS: very expensive to hire a car with a GPS IME. We bought a Miss Garmin in Monaco with 45 European countries pre-loaded for ~€150. Since returning to Aus we have added Aus & NZ, Japan and Indonesia. It has an micro SD card slot so it has more than enough room for the rest of the world. My advice: don't waste your money on hiring a GPS with the car. Buy one in Europe and take it with you on your future travels.

As to where to hire a car: we have used Argus car hire on 5 trips: Ireland, France x 2, Czech republic, Japan; no problems at all and good rates. May I suggest you get a quote from Argus and if you find a better quote from another company, take it.