Experience with renting a car in Britian?

[jfranklyn]

Hi - we're travelling to Northern Ireland for two weeks in August, and need to rent a car. It's so much more expensive to get an automatic transmission. Is it crazy to think that we can handle a stick shift on the wrong side of the car, and the wrong side of the road? We both can drive stick shifts here, but I'm thinking it's worth the extra money to get the automatic. Any hints for saving money on this? The best rate I've found is $550 for 12 days for a 5 seater (which we need).

 

[NMAmy]

I'd spring for the automatic. Frankly, I can't even sit in the passenger front seat in the UK much less attempt to drive. Okay, I'll admit it--I can barely cross a street on foot. DH keeps a grip on the back of my shirt to keep me from stepping into oncoming traffic.

What I'm trying to say is that it can be difficult to adjust particularly if this is your first time driving there. I'd make it as easy on yourself as possible.

Have a great trip!

 

[XTinabell]

Yes it's quite uncommon to have automatics in the UK. I think if you can drive a stick shift at home you'll be just fine. Just remember the middle line should be closest to you when you're driving, if it's on the passenger side you're on the wrong side of the road!

 

[Lionqueen2]

In our travels to the UK, we have always rented a stick shift. I did most of the driving and had no problem. The first mile or so seemed odd, but then everything just seemed natural.

 

[Boo'sMom]

well crap on a cracker...I hadn't even thought about the fact that I was going to have to shift with the opposite hand......


might need to rethink the manual v. automatic for our trip to Scotland next month

thanks for this post!!

 

[jfranklyn]

well crap on a cracker...I hadn't even thought about the fact that I was going to have to shift with the opposite hand......


might need to rethink the manual v. automatic for our trip to Scotland next month

thanks for this post!!

LOL Boo'sMom! That's the part that gets me too! I'm a rightie - I'm not coordinated enough to do that with my left hand!!

 

[kelleigh1]

I don't know about Britain, but when we rented in Germany, let me tell you, it ended up costing us a good deal more than we'd expected. I can't remember exactly why, but it probably had to do with international insurance, which was not in any way covered by our regular policies at home. And I know that hubby got an international driver's license (through AAA), but I'm not sure if that was required or not. I know that even though I drive all the time here, he drove in Europe because we did get a stick and I didn't know how to drive it and wasn't interesting in learning on that trip.

 

[Claire L]

I drive a right hand drive manual aka stick shift, and find an automatic ok but the worst time I had was driving a manual which was left hand drive, as then I had to use my right hand and it was not natural, so much so DH ended up driving. For piece of mind an automatic may be easier for you.

Claire

 

[Claire L]

Have you tried Enterprise car rental? They seem to be quite reasonable.

Claire

 

[EMom]

The first time we went to Scotland ('92) DH's company paid for a rental car. It was a very expensive automatic (would have been worth about $US 60,000 even back then) and we were thankful for it. I was not so thankful for the seat warmers that nearly fried my hiney before I could figure out how to turn them off.

Since then, we've rented a manual in Germany, but they drive on the same side of the road as us, and it wasn't that bad. We were more concerned about keeping our tiny car's speed up to 95 mph on the Autobahn, as that's the fastest it would go and we were already in the slow lane.

I think a lot of people catch on to using the "other" hand to shift gears quickly enough. My concern is that you'll have MULTIPLE factors going against you. Driving on the opposite side, shifting with the opposite hand, reading maps/signs to navigate, encountering roads that can be winding and soooooooo narrow you cannot believe it, etc. You'll never once be able to enjoy the countryside because you'll be concentrating so hard on not crashing that car.

How good are you at multitasking?

 

[Cindyluwho]

I don't know about Britain, but when we rented in Germany, let me tell you, it ended up costing us a good deal more than we'd expected. I can't remember exactly why, but it probably had to do with international insurance, which was not in any way covered by our regular policies at home. And I know that hubby got an international driver's license (through AAA), but I'm not sure if that was required or not. I know that even though I drive all the time here, he drove in Europe because we did get a stick and I didn't know how to drive it and wasn't interesting in learning on that trip.

Bank of America has a "premier" type Visa that covers international rental cars. Just check to make sure before you leave home.

Also, I thought I would have a terrible time with the clutch, shifter etc in England but it was easy, easy!! I had it down within one block of the rental car place. That one block was a little hairy.... I really helps to have a very good navigator in the passenger seat to make sure you stay in the correct lane when coming off a round-a-bout.

 

[fimac]

If you are comfortable with a stick shift and not going to far the first day i would try it. I find that driving with my hand on the stick for the first day is a good way to remind my self which side of the road to drive on. Drive in UK/USA/Canada regularly.