Where to hire a car to drive from London to the alps and back? Last minute panic. Usual family car not available for Easter break

[incognitomummy]

The title says it all….. any advice please? Usually DH sorts out cars but we have suddenly separated. However my kids were looking forward to the trip so I’d like to carry on as planned. Without him! I’ve never hired a car before…..

leaving at the end of term for a week ski trip.

thanks for any hints or tips. Especially those who have done something similar.

Sixt or Hertz

It may be easier to fly to Geneva and get a transfer. Why driving?

If you will need a car, for the future anyway & are set on driving, can you buy a new one?
I agree flying probs easier if a solo driving adult.
Hiring - use a price comparison website, for price. But then I choose a company that is well known (not the cheapest). The exact vehicle is variable within the class of car you book, so be prepared for the worst one in that class. Call them to see if you can get a discount for that longer rental.
photo & video all faults in the car before you first drive it - they love to try to keep your deposit!

We use enterprise be warned that there are surcharges for taking vechiles abroad.

It's quite expensive taking a car abroad and then crossing several borders. I would look into flying and if really necessary hiring a car at the location.

But to check if you need any additional paperwork. I know that we were asked for international driving license in Berlin but I think that is still not an absolute mandatory item.

Main advice is do not do this long car journey on your own. Will be very tough for you. Also some car hire companies will have restriction on taking cars abroad and potentially fair use caps on mileage.
Can you find any flights? You can fly to an airport that's 3 hrs drive away for example and then hire a car and drive from there.

You will need to hire in Europe. Left hand drive cars etc. Train to Bourg St.Maurice? You don't say where you are going. Otherwise flight to wherever.

I would fly or train to mainland Europe, and pick up a car there (or even do the whole holiday without a car).
Be very sure the rental company allows you to drive abroad - wherever you collect it from.

Be VERY sure the hire company will let you drive abroad. It’s a real PITA now that we are out of the EU.

I wouldn’t drive abroad alone on such a long journey with children - especially when you’ve never done it before. You will be absolutely exhausted.

Can you not use the family car and your H hire a car in the UK whilst you’re away?

Hire in Europe. Don't try to take a UK hire car overseas.

I would fly or get the train. Taking a car abroad will be expensive, even without the ferry/tunnel/accommodation cost.

I'm guessing you don't have a family car if your ex usually books it.

I would look for a car company that has good representation on the route so you have some back up if there are problems. AI says this "Top car hire companies in the Alps include Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Avis, widely regarded for reliability, extensive locations (including major airports like Geneva, Lyon, and Zurich), and fleet quality. For specialized Alpine needs, Sixt is noted for offering winter tires and ski racks."
How confident are you driving in snow though? Not sure what conditions are like now but half term had a LOT of snow.

Which resort? You're going out of term time so getting train bookings will be easier or cheaper transfers from an airport. SNCF was way cheaper than the Eurostar all the way, you just need to change stations in Paris.

Yeah I wouldn’t hire in the uk. The surcharge will be huge.

can you fly and then hire car locally? Or if going to one area only use train or taxi.

Thanks. Lots to reflect on. Originally booked to drive as we always drive.
Eurostar booked.

however. Usual Car had a problem. DH petrol head able to fix it.
was not anticipating sudden split.

so. Still going. In 2 weeks. Just need to work out how!!!!!

my own car is not up to the job.

Do you mean Eurotunnel is booked? People dont normally take cars on Eurostar....

I really wouldn't drive abroad alone with several (?) DC, especially in the snow, and especially if you've never done it before without a back-up driver.

Can you afford to write off the Eurostar and pay for flights?

Also - which resort are you going to? You might be able to get one of the shuttle buses rather than have to hire a car at the other end.

Can you change the tunnel to Eurostar and hire a car at destination. I don't know, just wondered.

Eurostar and Le Shuttle are different companies.

Some Le Shuttle bookings can be cancelled for a refund - it depends what booking you have OP.

I think this will be very, very costly. Probably more costly than cancelling the Eurotunnel and booking the cheapest flights to anywhere vaguely en route then renting from there. That will give you LHD car, fewer problems with cross border and much less distance and time driving.

If you are sure this is what you want to do then the answer "where do I hire in London" may well be "at an airport". How about Gatwick? Train there, then you're at least sort of heading down towards the Eurotunnel terminal.

Good luck.

And don’t forget snow chains are probably compulsory to have in the car.
can you tell us which resort

Hard to do on your own. Fly and hire over ther.

Yep, that too.

I would personally fly over and catch a shuttle to the resort. They're really common in France from the airports and aren't expensive.