DCL Europe Summer 2022 approaching - what are you doing?

[Ralph&Pam]

I hope rental car prices in Europe aren’t like they are here.

They tend to be higher on a per day basis, particularly when you might have to include an insurance package (check with your personal auto policy provider and/or credit card issuer). The cost of fuel will also be much higher than you might be used to seeing in the US. The fuel pumps are frequently priced in Euros/liter, so you get used to mental calculations to figure out what you’re paying. But when you look at the cost of alternatives for a traveling family (perhaps 2 adults and their child/children), the cost of a rental may become much more attractive.

 

[DCLMP]

They tend to be higher on a per day basis, particularly when you might have to include an insurance package (check with your personal auto policy provider and/or credit card issuer). The cost of fuel will also be much higher than you might be used to seeing in the US. The fuel pumps are frequently priced in Euros/liter, so you get used to mental calculations to figure out what you’re paying. But when you look at the cost of alternatives for a traveling family (perhaps 2 adults and their child/children), the cost of a rental may become much more attractive.

Have you checked rental car prices in the US lately? My guess is gas prices are going to be through the roof this Summer especially in Europe. I'm not planning on renting a car in Europe, but for those that are, I hope it works out.

 

[Sykes]

Have you checked rental car prices in the US lately?

On average car rental prices seem to be mostly back to normal now. I expect there to be another crush during spring break for a lot of tourist locations, but on average things are a bit higher than before but nowhere near the absurd prices we saw during summer (and later) of last year. In Europe the rental car situation never got as bad as it was here. There the industry was far less affected by the Hertz bankruptcy and other steps that significantly downsized the rental fleet.

 

[DCLMP]

On average car rental prices seem to be mostly back to normal now. I expect there to be another crush during spring break for a lot of tourist locations, but on average things are a bit higher than before but nowhere near the absurd prices we saw during summer (and later) of last year. In Europe the rental car situation never got as bad as it was here. There the industry was far less affected by the Hertz bankruptcy and other steps that significantly downsized the rental fleet.

Back to normal? Can you rent a car for under 200 a week in Orlando? I'm guessing not. They are nowhere near back to normal.

 

[Sykes]

Back to normal? Can you rent a car for under 200 a week in Orlando? I'm guessing not. They are nowhere near back to normal.

Yup. Booked several for clients this month for pickup later in the year. I do believe that such rates are just generally not long for this world though. Rental companies are keeping leaner fleets so they're no longer doing fire sales on rental cars during low periods.

 

[pjacobi]

A rental car in Europe is useful for some situations, but I would suggest not having a rental car for the entire trip, as you would normally do in the US. In heavily touristed areas, a rental car can be a burden.

Try "driving" into Venice or the Cinque Terre, or a high Alpine village. London has a daily 15 pound daily congestion charge for cars, which must be Ultra Low Emission. Where are you going to park at the Eiffel Tower? Try a side street where your window will be smashed and all contents stollen.

Use a rental car selectively in Europe and use public transport where appropriate. That is the European way that Americans fail to understand.

Europeans have the reverse problem when traveling to American and don't understand why a rental car is so essential in the US.


-Paul

 

[Intr3pid]

A rental car in Europe is useful for some situations, but I would suggest not having a rental car for the entire trip, as you would normally do in the US. In heavily touristed areas, a rental car can be a burden.

Try "driving" into Venice or the Cinque Terre, or a high Alpine village. London has a daily 15 pound daily congestion charge for cars, which must be Ultra Low Emission. Where are you going to park at the Eiffel Tower? Try a side street where your window will be smashed and all contents stollen.

Use a rental car selectively in Europe and use public transport where appropriate. That is the European way that Americans fail to understand.

Europeans have the reverse problem when traveling to American and don't understand why a rental car is so essential in the US.


-Paul

One complicating factor is whether you are traveling with a family and whether you are moving from one region to the other. For four or more folks in your party, the parking charges and tolls start to even out, plus luggage is no longer a headache. Toss your bags in the back of a family car, and off you go.

For one or two travelers touring the cities, however, public transportation is a no brainer.

 

[MomOTwins]

Parking was what we found to be a nightmare the one time my DH and I rented in France. Indoor parking garages and parking spaces were extremely tiny and difficult to park in, not to mention very expensive, and outdoors, everything was either reserved, or local parking permit required, or likewise a tight space. Also let me tell you from personal experience that sorting out insurance across borders is a nightmare when someone scratches up your rental car while it is parked on the street.

This was long ago when if you wanted a taxi you had to call and book one—now with ride share apps there is really no reason to need your own car rental in Europe.

 

[Sykes]

This was long ago when if you wanted a taxi you had to call and book one—now with ride share apps there is really no reason to need your own car rental in Europe.

It's odd to see such sweeping statements. Europe is a big place, with many wonderful things to see and do that are quite off the beaten path, many of which have relatively few reasonable rideshare or taxi services. Sure, you don't need a rental car if you're just sticking around the big cities or doing a carefully curated trip, but you're missing out on a lot that Europe has to offer if you don't at least consider options that require a rental car.

 

[MomOTwins]

Sure, you don't need a rental car if you're just sticking around the big cities or doing a carefully curated trip, but you're missing out on a lot that Europe has to offer if you don't at least consider options that require a rental car.

Kind of a sweeping statement too don’t you think? We’re talking about Europe land trips as a substitute for a Disney cruise. Everywhere a disney cruise stop is a good location for taxis and/or public transportation. Sure you might want a rental for a completely different vacation—but DCL cruise stops are hardly off the beaten path. The stuff you are talking about that you’d be missing out on without a car is the same stuff you’d be missing out on if the DCL cruises happen.

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Kind of a sweeping statement too don’t you think? We’re talking about Europe land trips as a substitute for a Disney cruise. Everywhere a disney cruise stop is a good location for taxis and/or public transportation. Sure you might want a rental for a completely different vacation—but DCL cruise stops are hardly off the beaten path. The stuff you are talking about that you’d be missing out on without a car is the same stuff you’d be missing out on if the DCL cruises happen.

By “to replace a Disney cruise” I don’t think most of these people are going to drive from one place to another through Europe only to the cities they would have docked in on the ship. They are planning a land trip to replace the cruise and most likely SEEING DIFFERENT THINGS

 

[Sykes]

Kind of a sweeping statement too don’t you think? We’re talking about Europe land trips as a substitute for a Disney cruise. Everywhere a disney cruise stop is a good location for taxis and/or public transportation. Sure you might want a rental for a completely different vacation—but DCL cruise stops are hardly off the beaten path. The stuff you are talking about that you’d be missing out on without a car is the same stuff you’d be missing out on if the DCL cruises happen.

The entire discussion about rental cars started from someone saying that they've always dreamed of doing a road trip in Europe and are considering that as an alternative to the cruise (and then someone subsequently chastised them for thinking that a road trip in Europe might be a good idea). Maybe the vacation that you'd choose as an alternative to a cruise is accessible by public transport, but that's not what the comment that started this discussion was actually about.

Anyway, we're straying a bit off topic.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

We have a cruise booked to Norway this summer and are happy to read that Norway is joining Demark in opening up their borders/ending most of their Covid restrictions.

 

[LNMom]

Is anyone concerned about needing a negative test to return to US? I am worried about contracting covid in Europe, and not being able to return to US until I get a negative result. Thoughts??

 

[LNMom]

PS-spent a month driving around Italy with fam several years ago. It was awesome. Trains don’t always connect smaller cities/towns (e.g. the Dolomites, Tuscany regions).

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Is anyone concerned about needing a negative test to return to US? I am worried about contracting covid in Europe, and not being able to return to US until I get a negative result. Thoughts??

Yes-we are. It will be a deal breaker in our planned cruise. We just can't have a 8-10 day cruise vacation that may be exteneded by a week or more. We have to get back. As glamorous as it sounds, I can't be in Europe for 3 weeks. And being in quarantine wouldn't be so fun. I wish they were drop the required negative test for return to the states. It is restrictive in terms of airline travel.

 

[MomOTwins]

Is anyone concerned about needing a negative test to return to US? I am worried about contracting covid in Europe, and not being able to return to US until I get a negative result. Thoughts??

Yes-we are. It will be a deal breaker in our planned cruise. We just can't have a 8-10 day cruise vacation that may be exteneded by a week or more. We have to get back. As glamorous as it sounds, I can't be in Europe for 3 weeks. And being in quarantine wouldn't be so fun. I wish they were drop the required negative test for return to the states. It is restrictive in terms of airline travel.

I agree. If they would drop the test-before-return requirement I wouldn’t hesitate to go to Europe. If we got sick there, well, odds are we would get sick sometime before the very last day and then our quarantine would happen using all or mostly all pre-planned vacation days. But if we test positive a day before our return on the required pre-flight test, that means we HAVE to extend vacation at least 5 days. Maybe some employers wouldn’t care but if so you are lucky.

 

[brentm77]

I agree. If they would drop the test-before-return requirement I wouldn’t hesitate to go to Europe. If we got sick there, well, odds are we would get sick sometime before the very last day and then our quarantine would happen using all or mostly all pre-planned vacation days. But if we test positive a day before our return on the required pre-flight test, that means we HAVE to extend vacation at least 5 days. Maybe some employers wouldn’t care but if so you are lucky.

We will still go if the requirement is in place. I am fortunate to be in a position where I could do my job anywhere in the world right now, including a hotel room in Italy if needed. On the other hand, it would sure be a welcome change if they removed the requirement, since it is one less thing to need to deal with before returning home. Without getting into the specifics, I do think the benefit of it has passed and hope they are looking at removing it after this wave, as several European countries have already removed it for entry.

 

[DCL Repeaters]

PS-spent a month driving around Italy with fam several years ago. It was awesome. Trains don’t always connect smaller cities/towns (e.g. the Dolomites, Tuscany regions).

Agree!! 3 times to Italy and always with private transportation.

 

[PirateFrank]

Yes-we are. It will be a deal breaker in our planned cruise. We just can't have a 8-10 day cruise vacation that may be exteneded by a week or more. We have to get back. As glamorous as it sounds, I can't be in Europe for 3 weeks. And being in quarantine wouldn't be so fun. I wish they were drop the required negative test for return to the states. It is restrictive in terms of airline travel.

Yep, all of the testing requirements are deal breakers for us...and we'll likely be canceling our 12-day med cruise soon. After 2 weeks in Europe, no one in our family will be able to afford to stay in Europe another week to ten days stuck in quarantine housing. The port testing and fly out testing presents additional layers of financial loss). I'll return to cruising when the testing requirements go away...whether that's 1, 2, 3 or 10 years from now.