I'm planning a road trip with friends from Sydney to Melbourne and just drop the car off at melbourne, I wonder if anyone has any experience with any the car rental companies, such as Europcar, Thrifty, Budget Car, and Hertz, Which would you recommend and the price?

Thanks!

 

I've used Avis, put on 1000kms and returned the car back to the same location with a full tank. If you don't fill it up, they charge something like $2/L.

Mine was booked via www.qantas.com.au (for frequent flyer points) under the CARS section and it will show you the prices for a few car rental companies.

 

They vary rapidly from day to day and from place to place

GOOGLE is the answer to all your questions.

 

x2k,

Generally speaking Europcar is the charges the most ( I know this because I work with an affiliated company of theirs )

But when I was in Cairns I found that locally operated car hire places generally charge much better rates than the big companies. My advice would be to check out the tourism populated areas for hire cars outlets that are locally run. Or alternatively try google as Red pointed out.

You get a better price and you support local business!

 

Depending on the size of the car you're after, from around $60 a day for a small hatch (Fiesta) to $100 for something like a camry. Where they stick it up you are the charges (excess removal from a few grand to a few hundred is another $20 or so, auto add extra, airport pickup/dropoff is another $10 or so, different destination drop off is another fee, and so on and so on). I usually go with Europcar but there's very little difference with the others other than what cars they have in their fleets. It all depends on what car you prefer in that class because they vary in their fleets.

 

Pay careful attention to the amount of included km and cost for excess. This could easily decide who is cheapest given that you are planning on driving from Syd to Melb.

 

Thanks guys, I will try give Europcars a call, and see how much they quote me!

thanks!

 

And if you have any Qantas Frequent Flyer points you can get rental car vouchers through the online store.

Might be worth asking each company if they have a car that needs to be returned to Melbourne and if they would do a good price for it. They always have people doing the opposite trip to you.

 

ahem. coupe, thanks.

 

Sheesh, some one mentions Fisting or Fiesta and look who pops up.

If you're picking up in one state and dropping off in another you'll need a national company. Also, you'll be somewhat limited in your choice of car. That's how I ended up driving the Great Ocean Road in a Camry.

And what Frisky said is really good advice.