Avoiding High "Premium Station” Fees on Car Rentals in Europe

This may be “European Car Rental 101“ but most people still don’t know that it costs more—in some cases a lot more—to begin a rental at a European airport or rail station. In Germany the extra charge is 19% of the total rental cost. That means if you’re renting a midsize car for two weeks and the price including value added tax is $650, you’ll pay an additional $124 for the privilege of picking your rental car up at an airport or rail station.

So don’t get the car at the airport. Go somewhere else. “But,” I hear you say, “I just got off a long flight, I’m tired and just want to get my car and get on the road.” Many arrivals at Frankfurt Airport take an eight-minute, 12 euro taxi ride to the town of Kelsterbach, then, at the end of the rental, bring the car back to the airport at no extra charge. Isn’t that small inconvenience worth $124? (There are nearby alternatives for other airports and someone who’s savvy about the European car rental business, such as Andy Bestor at www.gemut.com/800-521-6722, can suggest them.)

There are similar high airport/rail station costs in Italy, Switzerland, Austria and Norway. France, Great Britain, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Spain, and virtually every other European country charges a flat fee that ranges from about $35 to $80.

For more info read Avoid Airport Car Rental Fees
Replace this text with the full story.