Complicated Car rental question, Please give Input!

[IowaGirl]

I am so excited to be planning a trip again to Orlando and Tampa.

Here is my dilemma, We are flying down August 4, spending two days in Orlando, then were are going to Tampa to catch a cruise departing on August 7-11. After that we are going back to Orlando flying home to Iowa on August 15. So that would be 11 days of vacation (WHoo-hooo). Anyway, I think the smart thing would be to rent a car in Orlando, but make sure I can return it in Tampa, then just do a new ressie for the trip back from Tampa to Orlando. I can use discount coupons for both ressies then. I called a few months ago checking around, and I forgot to write the name of the company down, but I think there is one that provides a shuttle from their rental office to the cruise ship, and then will turn around and pick us up again.

What do you think???

 

[tinaluis]

I would price the cars out both ways. You may be surprised to find that a full week rental is cheaper than two shorter rental periods, especially when renting and returning to the same location. I'm not sure about the shuttle to the pier but I'm sure someone else can help. Have fun planning!

 

[Jestocost]

In most cases, you'll pay a significant premium for dropping off the car at somewhere other than where you picked it up. If you do that both ways, my guess would be that it might not make good economic sense. It's entirely possible that you'd actually save money by just parking the car in Tampa and avoiding the one-way drop-off charges. It can't hurt to price out both options, however.

 

[mcnuss]

In most cases, you'll pay a significant premium for dropping off the car at somewhere other than where you picked it up.

I have found that in FL, that is less often the case. I've done many one-way rentals over the years, and almost everywhere else I've been dinged pretty good, but not in FL. I think it has to do with the fact that so many people travel around the state that the companies are able to properly maintain inventory.

 

[disneymom3]

Hmmm, I rented a car two years ago to drive from Chicago to Mpls and I remember thinking it was really reasonable. I rented from Avis and it didn't seem to have an extra fee for dropping off at a different location. (Of course, I would have paid anything for that car as I was scared I would be stranded with my three young children in Chicago as many people on our flight later were.)

Anyhow, I would still price it both ways, but be sure to consider parking costs if you go with one long term rental.