New member with a couple of car hire questions

Hi all

Just stumbled across this forum while searching for car hire in florida and from what I've read so far, think it is a fabulous resource for everything Orlando.

We have our first ever trip planned for April 09 and I have a couple of questions regarding car hire that hopefully someone will be able to answer.

There are 8 in our party with 7 cases + hand luggage and we're not sure whether the 8 seater long wheel base 4x4 from Budget (are Budget ok to deal with?) will be able to get us all in for just the 30 minute drive to our villa (we don't mind being squashed for just 30 mins [msnsmile]). Otherwise it looks like a 12 seater van which will be a little over the top for the rest of our holiday.

Also I'm unsure as to what time to book the car from and what time o drop it off? We are due to land at 6.00pm and our flight back is at 3.00pm. How much time does Budget allow for picking up the car earlier or later than planned?

Many thanks in advance for any advice given

Karl

Welcome to the forum Karl.

I've just moved your post to Car Hire where it's more likely that our resident car rental guru Roger will spot it and hopefully be able to answer your questions.

As to what time to book the car, it usually takes around an hour or more to get from the plane to the car rental desks so that should give you roughly your pick up time. Normally if you're a bit early or later, unless it's really peak time and you're early, then there's no problem.

When bringing it back, the car rental goes in 24 hour blocks - so if you pick up at 6 pm then as long as you bring the car back before 6 pm you'll be fine.

I would suggest 2x7 seat minivans which should give enough space and just as importantly 2 cars will give you the chance not to have to go to the same place as everyone in your group each day.

Yes I wondered why you had to have one car?
If there are at least 2 drivers you will find it more convenient to have 2 cars; not waiting around for the others etc.
If stuck with one then - and I could be wrong on this - could you have a 12 seater for the trip from the Airport, take it back the next day and change tit? Takes days off your holiday though.

Hi Karl,
welcolm to the form. Just a thought, have you considered hiring a Sat Nav, if this is your 1st trip to Floriday you will find it a valuable piece of kit. If you Hire One from this site it will be pre programmed too. Nothing worse than finally getting out the airport and then getting lost - believe me, we did it. Oh and make sure you have change for the toll booths, you should be able to get some in the airport shops.

Have fun,

Diane.

As there are 8 in your party, I would suggest you get an 8 seater, so if you all want to go out together you can, but also get a car, that way if you want to split up and do different things it's not a problem and it will also give you plenty of space to get to and from the airport - with 2 x 7 seaters it means you'd always need 2 drivers - the parks charge for parking so if you're all going to the same park it would make sense to just take 1 vehicle.

i have driven a 12 seater and it is fine-we actually got the 12 seater and a car-so that we had the best of both worlds

Thanks for the advice, I'm still unsure what to book

There will be just 2 families with 4 kiddies so I think we will travel most places together as neither has been to Florida before

Also, the extra cost of another car for 3 weeks outweighs the benefit, so gonna rule that one out

If I do book with Budget through USCarHire, will the transaction be done in the UK or US?

Just wondering whether my credit card company will charge a fee

Thanks

It's in Pounds Sterling so you should be ok.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Karluk

If I do book with Budget through USCarHire, will the transaction be done in the UK or US?

[/quote]

Karl, weve hired an 8 seater for two families before plenty of times and have managed quite well, although weve never had 7 cases. Weve always managed with 4 extra large cases and hand luggage. As the 8 seater minivans always coped with 4 extra large cases I dont see why they couldnt cope with 7 smaller ones (the extra large ones we used to use are now too big to take on board most airlines). Some of the minivans (we had Chevvy Astra's) have a large boot area for luggage and the back seats slide forward to make more room. As long as you put the kids in the back seat you can slide it fwd and put up with being squashed for the drive to your villa. Alternatively you could always leave one adult at the airport for an hour and go back and pick them up. Not a very good plan when you are tired after a long journey but an option if you dont want two vehicles or a big 12 seater. Another option is a taxi to take some of you to the villa and the rest in the hire van. Have a great holiday. Gill