Its all Greek (car hire) to me

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Fri 31 Jan 2020 17:42
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - MGspannerman

I am planning a backpacking trip around the Greek Islands in the autumn. One leg involves flying into Crete (Heraklion) and hiring a car for a few days. I have hired a car previously on the mainland from a local provider, all seemed very relaxed, good price and no nonsense about scratches etc.

If anybody has any experience of car hire in Heraklion that would be welcome. Better to rent at the airport or take the bus into the city and use a local there? Is it feasible to pick up at the airport and drop off in the city? We plan to stay in Heraklion after driving west for a few days.

Any thoughts on these points and any other advice would be appreciated

Many thanks

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Fri 31 Jan 2020 20:23
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - badbusdriver

General rumour and titbits of info would suggest it is more expensive to hire at the airport, but as i have never done this or looked into it, i couldn't say for sure.

But thanks to the wonder of t'internet, it isn't difficult to find out. Just go online and get some quotes for comparison.

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Fri 31 Jan 2020 20:33
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - Steveieb
Which recommend Zest brokers based in Norwich. Buy full insurance from them too at very reasonable price before you go. Found them excellent with someone always on call to help 24 hrs if anything goes wrong. Dealt with my problem immediately when I was in Cyprus.
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Sat 1 Feb 2020 09:53
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - MGspannerman

Thanks folks. We have rented at airports at various times. In Auckland Apex allow drop off in the city at no charge, and are both good and cheap. Last year we rented from Hertz at Adelaide airport and a week or so lavatory dropped off at Alice Springs. 1600 dollars for the rental, and another 1000 for the one way fee! It’s cheaper the other way apparently! In France one time I had the rigorous micro inspection treatment, but had the photos to show that the damage, to the roof of all things, was present at pick up. There seems to be little on the internet, tripadvisor and so on, other than some advice about a few dodgy outfits. I will certainly check out the broker, sounds like good advice.

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Sat 1 Feb 2020 10:18
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - FP

My advice is to ask the question in the relevant Tripadvisor forum i.e. Crete, or at least do some research there.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g189413-i424-Crete...l

I see there is a large thread about problems with Carjet car hire.

Another thread recommends these: www.autoclub-rentals.gr, www.annacars.gr; www.athenscars.gr, www.anecarhire.com, www.flisvos.com, www.thebestcars.gr

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Sat 1 Feb 2020 10:58
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - MGspannerman

Thanks for that, I will indeed. Apologies for the typo in my previous (lavatory??) spell check is a mixed blessing.

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Sat 1 Feb 2020 11:15
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - daveyjp
Another vote for zest. If there are any issues your contract is with them.
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Sun 2 Feb 2020 22:35
Its all Greek (car hire) to me - Smileyman

When hiring a car I always consider other factors too, whilst good price and convenient pick up / drop off are useful, the condition of the vehicle matters too. I once hired a car in Sydney, it rained and quickly found out the wipers didn't properly clear the windscreen. On another occasion I hired a car from a local garage on a Greek island and the brakes felt wrong, perhaps they were OK but I didn't have confidence, luckily it was dry and I was only pottering around the island.On yet another occasion I was offered a convertible, very nice except this was California and I didn't want to have to lock everything away in the boot. (Camera etc)

Edited by Smileyman on 02/02/2020 at 22:36

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