Just been on Dollar website and they are offering $381 for 14 days incl all taxes etc.

What do you lot think of that as it seems cheaper than most.

Thias is for inetrmediate dodge status.........

Forget the car - use the public transport. As someone mentioned previously, if you are staying in Orlando, there really is no need at all for a car.

Up and down I-drive is the trolley bus, $1 a time IIRC. the Lynx buses to disney, again $1 a time. Easy. If you go to Belz on the trolley, take a taxi back with your shopping, $20 max if your staying near I-drive.

Also by using your legs once in a while you get to see a lot more than if you were trundling past at 30mph. We once walked a couple of miles down I-drive and found alsorts that would have been missed by driving. An English boozer for a start!

Of course, if you're a fatty then you will need a car wherever you go.

Just booked a car for 2 weeks in May, picking up at Sanford. After trying UScarhire and dollar I found Airline Network to be much cheaper, a saving of over £20. A little tip though. If you book online between 6pm and midnight the rate is 5% cheaper than during the day, just saved me £15.

Jim

i was just wondering if anyone knew what kind of prices to expect and also who was the best to go with

We're going to orlando(Sanford airport) in september and have booked with First Choice who use suncars rentals, just wondered how far from the airport the rental site is and what type of cars they use. We have booked an intermediate 4 door, brochure says its similar to a vectra, any info would be great thanks

Dollar (http://www.dollar.com) are decent and their minimum age to rent a vehicle is only 21.

My personal favorite are Budget (http://www.budget.com), although they charge $25 extra per day if the person renting the vehicle is under 25. Also, they restrict the type of vehicle you can rent (so no SUVs, vans, etc.), but almost any car/sedan should be fine. This $25 fee does not apply to all locations so check.

I haven't checked their website but I used Alamo a few years ago and they weren't bad. I know that they also DO rent if you are under 25 and I don't believe they add a surchage like Budget (although it was about 5 years ago I last used them so check if their policies have changed). Unfortunately, I do remember Alamo being fairly expensive and them adding several "miscellaneous" charges on at the end which nearly doubled the total bill, but I suspect we just didn't return the car with a full tank of gas (you typically get charged around double what it would actually cost to fill the car up if you return the vehicle empty).

Most US car rental companies are pretty decent overall and, of course, you don't have to return the vehicle to the same location you hired it from. This is very convenient in larger states!

We don't have Vectras over here (it's a Vauxhall, right? - no Vauxhall either) so does it give any examples of US cars too? Most brochures usually do. That's all I would be able to help you with since I've never used Suncars (never heard of them, to be honest).

Suncars is a reputable company and as the poster indicates, part of First Choice.

Suncars is a "broker" and as such does not own the car rental fleet. They will simply pass the reservation to a third party rental operator. I believe this is likely to be Dollar, or possibly Alamo.

We travelled with First choice to Sanford last year and just about the whole plane went to the dollar desks which is in the airport terminal.
Hope that helps.

Hi all,

We are going to Florida (arriving at Sanford airport) for two weeks in April/May this year.

Looking at cars to hire and comparing the following vehicles.

Chrysler 300 Touring/Buick Park Avenue
or
Jeep Grand Cherokee/Chevrolet Blazer
or
Dodge Voyager

The price of the vehicle and fuel isn't the issue, its comfort and luggage space which is. Will be travelling to various places so not just based in Florida.

I only know UK spec cars and just wanted some help please to see which one is the better size for four adults and four suitcases (medium to large size case each) without putting any rear seats down. I also believe that I don't need to pay any excess on USA cars, thats what the rental companies advised !?

Also, does anyone know of any traffic laws which a UK driver should be aware of, i.e. give way, passing laws?

Thanks

Hi

Have a look at THIS TOPIC, some driving and traffic law advice in there

Pippy

hey, me and my friend were 23 at the time when we rented a car there, we spoke to a tourist shop and they got us this great deal over there. it was along route 192 in kissimmee, both got insured on it for £300 each for 2 weeks, that was cheap compared to budget and dollar, i also at that point could get a travel agents discount with dollar and they were still more expensive, it dpeends on what time of the yera your going, if it is off season most companies will be able to be bartered down

Hi all,

I have read through several threads and cannot find an answer regarding car hire insurance. I have spoken to 2 UK companies that specialise with booking car rentals in USA for UK tourists. Both advise that I don't need to take out extra insurance as its covered within the price of the car which is Collision damage waiver liability, theft waiver and mandatory insurances. When I asked them about paying for damage excess waiver at £2.50 per day they said I don't need it in Florida as there is no excess to pay in an accident.
I have spoken to a couple of people at work and they said I should insure the car to the highest insurance available but since both rental companies advised me I don't need it I am not sure what to do.

I am renting a Jeep 4X4 for £355.50 for 2 weeks so if I do need insurance I am not sure how much it will bump the price up to! Although I can't buy extra insurance through the rental agents as they say I don't need it!

They did advise me not to purchase any extra cover at the airport as the car desk always try to push for more. I do need to purchase a full tank at the collection of the Jeep but can return it as empty. Any advice please?

The £355.50 is through holiday autos uk but both rental agents use ALAMO when collecting car at airport (Sanford)

Thanks

Suncars use Dollar Car hire and an example of an intermediate 4 door is Dodge Stratus or similar. With air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, tilt wheel and cruise control. I used them in September aand this is the information that appears in the booklet provided when you pick up the car.

Hi. Just back from staying at Hawthorn Suites. Lovely Hotel. They do shuttle busses to Seaworld. Booked Hotel independently through Travelocity. Must agree though, I think a car is necessary. It's easy to drive around, and after a whole day walking round parks, I wouldn't like to be standing in a queue for buses - it's too warm and humid. Everything is so far apart, I think you would regret not having one.

Hi Wilma9000

If you'd like to post a review for the Hawthorn Suites, Seaworld, please do so HERE.

Many Thanks.

Pippy

After reading various topics i am a little confused. Going to Florida first time (me, wife and 2 kids) in Sep'06 booked with Thomson and rcvng a FREE hire car. After reading i find you still need to pay for ins, taxes etc. So the question is is it still cheaper/better to hire one separtly yourself or pay the insurances.

Does anyone have any recoomendations for car hire in florida? Also was wondering about getting a taxi from airport and picking car up next day as may be too tired, anyone any experience of this?

Any help/advice would be helpful i am sure not only one in this position.

My understanding is that if you take the 'free' car hire as offered by virgin, thomson, FC et al, you have to pay compulsory insurances and taxes which seem to work out to approx 25pounds per day, ie. 350pounds for a fortnights holiday. You probably need to see if you can get car hire, insurances and taxes to come in cheaper if possible. Just make sure you get all the recommended insurances and taxes included in the quotes, so you are comparing like with like.

surely you can just book your flights and then book your hotel direct-you might make a saving that way