Car hire advice

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 4:14pm

5 replies131 views5 members subscribed

eganjohn

Posts: 94

47 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 22 Nov 2019

I will be travelling to the Torrevieja area via Alicante airport in April to complete a property purchase.

I am thinking of hiring a car for two weeks. I have seen the adverts online quoting approx 120 Euros for 2 weeks for a small car which seems like good value.

I would appreciate some advice from members who are experienced in this area with regard to pitfalls etc to look out for.

For example is the airport the best place to hire and are there any companies that should be avoided.?

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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 5:05pm

Kimmy11

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6870

12563 helpful points

Location: Formentera Del Segura

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 5:05pm

Hi eganjohn,

Hiring from Alicante airport is the most convenient. If you hire from a company with an office in the airport, the cars are held in the airport car park, so you can walk there. If you hire from a company off-airport, then it usually involves a minibus journey from the airport to their office. Not a problem, but if you're arriving late at night, it may be an additional delay you don't want. Be wary of cheap 'headline' rates - Goldcar are the worst:

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/may/06/goldcar-named-worst-car-hire-company-in-which-survey

You could try a booking agent, such as www.doyouspain.com. I've never used them, but I've seen recommendations from others on the forum.

Whoever you hire from, make sure you choose the 'full to full' fuel option, i.e. when you collect the car, it will be full of fuel and you have to return it to the airport full. If you choose 'full to empty', the hire companies hike the price of the fuel and add an admin fee for filling it.

Kind regards,

Kim

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Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 5:10pm

jimtaylor

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5612

8738 helpful points

Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 5:10pm

If you intend to hire a car from one of the companies sited at the airport, I suggest you look at the following:

How to Hire a Car in Spain - A Full Comprehensive Guide

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 8:58pm

eganjohn

Original Poster

Posts: 94

47 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 22 Nov 2019

Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 8:58pm

Thanks Jim

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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 10:27am

Davebev1

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 1573

2227 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 7 Nov 2017

Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2020 10:27am

Highly recommend Edirentacar.com No hidden extras, no extra fuel or insurance, second driver included, no hanging around at the airport as fast handover of the car. Not the cheapest but certainly an honest, reliable and helpful company.

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:20pm

Mags03169

Helpful member

Posts: 292

211 helpful points

Location: Algorfa

Joined: 7 Feb 2020

Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2020 5:20pm

Hi , for several years now we have used Wheels In Spain (Les) not the cheapest but extremely reliable. I email him the dates and flight numbers, he replies with price which has no hidden extras . I ask to be invoiced through PayPal so I’m not giving credit card details. When we arrive at airport we call him and wait a few minutes outside when the car is brought to us, usually with at least a 1/4 of a tank and you return the car with the same amount. Last year we had a Spanish gentleman reverse into the hire car and wouldn’t give his details so we expected to be billed for the broken front light only to be told by Les that they had it fixed and nothing was owed ! Amazing service, I would highly recommend them .